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Q: How do my son and I visit the troop?
A: Visitors are welcome at any of our Troop meetings.
The Troop’s weekly meetings are on most Tuesday nights during the school year, from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the Cambrian Park United Methodist Church in San Jose, CA.
Contact the Troop Committee Chair Mike Biesenthal at biese@yahoo.com or come say hi to Scoutmaster John Walker so we can welcome you.
If your son knows a Scout in Troop 373, encourage your son to talk to him and have your son join his friend at one of our meetings or events.
Check the Troop 373 website and calendar for scheduled meetings, campouts, and events (https://sites.google.com/view/troop-373/activities#h.e59twbtzoviq).
Q: What is the age range for joining the troop?
A: Youth can join the Scouts BSA program if they are at least 10 years old, currently in the fifth grade and register on or after March 1st; OR have earned the Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old, OR are age 11 but have not reached age 18.
Q: How does my son sign up to join Troop 373?
A: If you are new to Scouting, please follow this link to sign up: Application Link
Youth participants must fill out an application.
Adults wishing to volunteer or go on campouts with the troop must complete the application, online training (Safeguarding Youth & California Mandated Reporter Training for Volunteers) and submit for additional screening according to California Assembly Bill 506.
If you or your Scout are currently registered in another unit, you or Troop 373 can easily complete the transfer: Transfers & Multiples
Q: Who runs the Scout meeting?
A: The weekly Troop meetings are run by the Scout Senior Patrol Leader with assistance from the Assistant Patrol Leader. We strive to have a Scout-run Troop led by the Patrol Leaders (who are elected by the Scouts). The Troop’s Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters provide adult supervision and mentorship to the Scout leaders.
Q: What is the cost to join the Scouts BSA program?
A: Annual youth membership fees to Scouting America are $109 (as of 11/1/25) and cover:
National Registration Fee ($85)
Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council Fee ($24)
Additionally, Scouts have the option to subscribe to Scout Life magazine for $15 per year.
Q: What is the cost to join Troop 373?
A: Annual dues to the troop are $150.00 and cover:
Troop Expenses
Merit Badges
Rank Patches
Patrol Patches
Position Patches
Certificates
Additionally, participating Scouts will need to contribute for outings (eg - camping fees, meals, gas).
Q: What uniform does a Scout need?
A: At a minimum, we ask that each Scout come to every meeting and outing in the following:
Tan Class-A Uniform Shirt
Green Pants
There are other items that each Scout is required to bring to every meeting, but the troop will provide these items:
Neckerchief
Neckerchief Slide
Shoulder Loops
3-7-3 Unit Emblem Patch
Scouts BSA Handbook
Optional items you may wish to purchase are:
Scouts BSA Merit Badge Sash
Scouts BSA Uniform Belt
Scouts BSA Uniform Cap
Scouts BSA Uniform Socks
More information on uniforms can be found here: Scouts BSA - Uniform Checklist
Uniforms can be purchased from the South Bay Scout Shop located at 1900 The Alameda, San Jose. Uniforms should be purchased with the shoulder patch for Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council and the World Crest emblem located above the left pocket. Directions to Scout Shop: Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council Scout Shop
Q: Do Scouts need the Scouts BSA handbook?
A: The troop will supply each boy with a physical handbook, but in the meantime, here is a link to the previous version of the BSA handbook which they will use to sign off on requirements:
We encourage you to explore the first section of the handbook “Adventure Ahead” (page 7)
This section will give your Scout a much better understanding of the Scouts BSA Program.
Q: How does advancement in rank work?
A: Scouts advance through ranks by completing specific requirements in areas like camping, leadership, first aid, and merit badges. Starting with the rank of Scout, they can progress to Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and eventually Eagle Scout. Adult leaders help guide Scouts through the process.
Q: What are merit badges?
A: Merit badges are awards Scouts earn by learning about a specific topic or skill, such as swimming, cooking, robotics, or first aid. There are over 135 merit badges available, and Scouts need to earn a minimum number of merit badges to advance in rank. Merit badge pamphlets can be purchased at the Scout Shop and are also available for free download here.
Q: How are Troop 373’s outings planned?
A: Outings, such as camping trips, hikes, or service projects, are typically planned months in advance by the Scout leadership and the Scoutmasters. Scouts have a say in what activities they want to participate in, making it a fun and engaging process. The list of activities for this year and next year is listed here.
Q: What equipment is provided?
Troop 373 provides each new Scout with a Troop 373 neckerchief, neckerchief slide, shoulder loops, 3-7-3 unit emblem patch, and a Scouts BSA Handbook.
The Troop furnishes each patrol with a stove, propane, cooking gear… and other common equipment for campouts.
All other personal gear are the responsibility of the Scout and his parents. Click here for Troop 373 Packing List
Q: What is needed from Scout parents and guardians?
A: Parents are encouraged to get involved by volunteering, joining the troop committee, or helping with events and outings. Parent involvement is a big part of a successful Scouting experience.
Encourage your Scout to take responsibility for his own participation in the Troop and in his patrol and for his advancement and leadership activities.
Lend a hand with the indoor and/or outdoor adult work that keeps the Troop running.
Attend the monthly Troop Committee meetings whenever possible.
Sign up to be a counselor for a merit badge or two; you don’t have to be an expert, just willing to help the Scouts teach themselves. Learn more here.
Take Scouting America's introductory training courses for adult leaders (online or in-person). Refer to the Scouts BSA training links on on Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council's website here or Scouting America's website here. Look at Scouts BSA Leader Resources here.
Give your Scout some room to make mistakes — Scoutmasters decide if more coaching is required, and then let them do the coaching.
Recognize that we strive for a Scout-run Troop, except in unsafe situations. Please resist the natural instinct to “fix it.” Scouting allows Scouts to learn by planning and doing for themselves.
Per Scouting America policy, before being registered as an adult leader or serving in any ‘direct contact’ leadership capacity, you MUST complete Safeguarding Youth Training (online), California Mandated Reporter Training (online), and Live Scan fingerprinting and a background check: https://svmbc.org/training/
Q: Communication between Scouts, parents and Scoutmaster?
A: Troop 373 heavily uses the BAND.US app (https://www.band.us/home) for internal communication:
Troop Communications
Calendar
Sharing Photos
Taking Polls
After you join the troop, we will assist you with BAND signing up.
Q: How can I find more information?
A: This is our public facing website where interested parents/guardians and youth can come to learn more about the troop, including:
A list of recent and upcoming activities
Photos of recent outings
Resources for those new to Scouting. This is some more info you can look at when you get a chance: Resources
Please reach out to us, we are happy to provide more information and assist you to join the troop.
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