Adventure Starts Here. Leadership Lasts a Lifetime.

Welcome to the home of Troop 285, one of Albuquerque’s most active, scout-led programs. For over 70 years, we have been providing young people with the tools to lead, the courage to explore, and the character to succeed.

Why Troop 285?

• A Legacy of Excellence: We are proud to have helped 236 Scouts reach the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout.

• High Adventure at Heart: From the mountains of New Mexico to canoeing treks and 10 weekend campouts a year, we believe the best classroom has no walls.

• True Scout-Led Leadership: Our Scouts don't just participate—they lead. They plan the program, manage the patrols, and learn by doing.

Visit Us This Monday! We meet every Monday from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Whether you’re a seasoned Scout or brand new to the program, there’s a place for you in our Troop. 

Our Mission

We are continually working to provide a program that challenges scouts, builds leadership skills, and instills the values of the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan. 

The Eagle Legacy: A Foundation for Life 

At Troop 285, we are committed to providing every Scout with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities needed to reach the rank of Eagle. We believe that the Eagle Scout rank isn't just an award for youth—it is a mark of character that carries a lifetime of respect. It is one of the few achievements earned in your teens that continues to open doors and command pride throughout your entire adult life.

Charting the Course from Day One

Troop 285 is built on the belief that when Scouts have fun, they succeed. Our experienced leadership team has developed a curriculum that encourages steady advancement, helping the majority of our new Scouts earn First Class in their first twelve months. By fostering this early confidence, we’ve seen 236 Scouts go on to earn the rank of Eagle Scout over the last 70+ years. Whether a Scout is aiming for Eagle or simply looking for adventure, our program provides the support they need to achieve whatever goal they set for themselves.

Empowering Individual Growth

Rank advancement is a choice, but growth is a guarantee. We recognize that not every Scout’s goal is to reach Eagle, and we celebrate that diversity of interest. Troop 285 provides a Scout-led environment where young individuals learn to lead by doing. Whether they are aiming for the next rank or simply enjoying the camaraderie of the campfire, we provide the space for every Scout to succeed in their own way.

The Adult leaders of Troop 285 believe... 

“Empowering scouts to be leaders is the core of Scouting. 

Scouts learn by doing, and what they do is lead their patrols and their troop. 

The scouts themselves develop a troop program, then take responsibility for figuring out how they will achieve the goals. 

One of our most important challenges is to train scout leaders to run the troop by providing direction, coaching, and support.

 The scouts will make mistakes now and then and will rely on the adult leaders to guide them. 

But only through real hands-on experience as leaders can scouts learn to lead.”