Troop 497 Announcements

Last Update: 28 January 2026. Click your browser's refresh button to ensure you are looking at the most recent update to this page. It is updated several times most weeks. Click underlined text to follow the link to additional information.

Troop Meeting on 29 January CANCELLED BECAUSE OF SCHOOL CLOSINGS

St. Joseph's campus is closed to all activities on Thursday, 29 January since Baltimore County Schools will not be open. We will have elections for Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol Leaders during the 5 February meeting. Any Scout interested in running for SPL must first confirm his decision with our Scoutmaster.

Inclement Weather Policy

St. Joseph's follows the Baltimore County School System (BCPS) for its Inclement Weather Policy. If Baltimore County Schools are cancelled or close early on a weekday, all activities on campus, including the Troop Meeting, are cancelled for the day. Click this link for more information on St. Joseph's Inclement Weather Policy.

There are several places to find information about BCPS school closings or delays.

TV/Radio: local radio and television stations
BCPS Home page

Scout Sunday, 1 February

Scout Sunday at St. Josephs Parish is on 1 February and we will celebrate during the 9 am mass. All the Scouting organizations supported by the Parish including Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts participate in this Parish event. Please support this event by coming to the mass in your full Class A uniform and sitting with the Scouts. All Catholic Scouts are expected to participate and Scouts of all faiths are encouraged to participate. We will meet in the multipurpose room (troop meeting location) at 08:30 and walk into the church as a group. There are refreshments following the service.

Committee Meeting, Monday, 2 February, 7:30 - 9:00 PM

Please update your Zoom App to the latest version before joining the meeting.
Zoom Meeting ID: 883 1455 5884

All adult leaders and parents are welcome to participate. Committee meetings are generally scheduled for the first Monday of each month. Check the announcements each month for updates.
To be admitted to the meeting you must use your first and last names when you join.
Please join a few minutes early so we can start on time. The meeting should be available for joining about 7:20 PM
Alternate phone audio 1 929 205 6099

First Thursday Path to First Class, 5 February, 6-7 PM, Joe's Cafe

The First Thursday meeting will be held from 6-7 PM in Joe's Cafe which is located in the basement of the Parish Center. Enter through the side door to the parking lot. The First Thursday meeting will be followed by a pizza dinner at 7 PM for active meeting participants.

These classes are available to scouts that are working on the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, and 1st Class and will be offered on the first Thursdays of the month. Scouts do not need to sign up in advance. For more information about the First Thursday Path to First Class program, call Mr. Chris Mulhall (610-350-8419).

We will need lots of help from the seniors, patrol leaders, older scouts and adults

Troop Elections, Thursday, 5 February during Troop Meeting, 7:30 - 9:00 PM, Multipurpose Room

We will have elections for Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol Leaders during the meeting. Any Scout interested in running for SPL must first confirm his decision with our Scoutmaster.

Join us on every Thursday evening for our Troop Meetings. Check these announcements for any updates.

Venture Ski Trip, 6-8 February 2026, trip fully booked, join the waiting list

An email with all the details was sent out to all the registered participants. Please pay all balance due.
You may put your name on a waiting list with Mr Shaffer
You will need to purchase your lift ticket on line and depending on your lift ticket it will get you discounts on rentals and should get you discounts on lessons. Follow this link for instruction on how to purchase your Epic Pass.
Questions, contact Mr. Andy Reidler

Open House, 12 February 7:30 - 8:30 PM

We would like to invite everyone to Troop 497's Open House for prospective members. All boys of scouting age, Webelos II's and I's, their parents and siblings are welcome. We will gather in St. Joseph's Church Multi-Purpose room from 7:30 to 8:30pm, Thursday, 12 February. Please extend this invitation for us to all your Cub Scout contacts, friends and families with boys of scouting age. All are welcome!

You can expect to participate in interactive exhibits showcasing activities our troop enjoys together every month. The exhibits are run by our scouts with some help from our adult leaders. Be ready to have fun, be challenged, learn new things, have some camp snacks and receive some great giveaways. This is a great opportunity for Webelos to earn Arrow of Light requirements.

Troop 497 is a large, (around 80 boys) very active, boy-run troop but we have enough resources to provide more individual attention so boys don't feel 'lost' in the group. We are blessed with a large number of adult volunteers, but we can always use more leaders and the new ideas they bring.

Our troop camps every month and travels out-of-state to different Summer Camps each year. Take a look at our website, Troop497.org or Facebook page for a preview. Your boys are also invited to join us for camping each month. We are camping at Rodney Scout Reservation in February.

Read this flyer for additional information about the Open House and Troop 497 that you can share with your friends.

Come meet our boys, parents and adult leaders on 12 February, see for yourself and join the fun! We look forward to seeing you there! Contact Mr. Bob Downs if you would like additional information.

Patrol Leaders Council (PLC), Sunday, 15 February, 6:00-7:00 PM, Joe's Cafe

PLCs will generally be scheduled for the first Sunday of each month. Check the announcements for any changes. All patrols should be represented by their Patrol Leader or a designated substitute. All Seniors are expected to participate. Adult Leaders are welcome to join the meetings.

Please arrive at Joe's Cafe shortly before 6 PM so the meeting can start on time. Parents should return at 7:00 PM to pick up their sons.

Annual Pancake Breakfast, Sunday, 22 February

Save the Date for this Troop 497 Fundraiser & Parish Event!

Rodney Scout Reservation, 27 February - 1 March 2026, Signup & Pay by 12 February

Our next camping trip is to Rodney Scout Reservation. We will be staying in heated cabins: Shawnee and Minsi. The currently listed activities include
Capture the Flag and Fire building.

Please register to participate using the Online Event Registration Form and pay the Treasurer at a Troop meeting before 12th February.

Actions required by participants before the trip:

Complete the Event Registration Form and pay the Troop Treasurer at a Troop Meeting.
The registration form should be completed by all Scouts and Adults participating during any part of the weekend including just driving.
Only Adults, who are registered with the BSA and Troop 497, are permitted to camp overnight with Troop 497 Scouts.
Re-register if you need to make updates or cancel your participation after you submit your initial registration.
The cost for the trip is $30 for Scouts and $10 for Adults. Pay the troop treasurer at a Troop meeting.

General Information

Check this link for a Weekend Personal Clothing and Gear List.
Read these Cold Weather Tips before going camping and you may discover a tip or two to make your weekend more enjoyable.
Carry a flashlight in your pocket for when you arrive.
We will return to the shed on Sunday at approximately 1:30PM and take care of the gear used on the trip. Parents should arrive by 1:45pm to pick up their sons who had carpooled with another adult.

Shelter

We will be sleeping and eating in heated buildings this weekend. Adults may sleep in their personal tents, or an arranged troop tent, or may sleep in one of the lodges.

Food

This is a Troop cooking trip.
Special dietary restrictions: Special dietary restrictions: If your son has special dietary restrictions you would like the Troop to attempt to accommodate contact the Mr. Michels. PLEASE BRING SPECIAL FOOD AS NEEDED.

Menu

Check back closer to the trip.

Transportation

Please register to drive using the Online Event Registration Form.
Use these driving directions to Rodney Scout Reservation.The route is 58 miles and will take about 65 minutes to drive. Their is a toll on I-95 for the Susquehanna River Bridge. Remember to bring your EZ Pass if you have one.
You should still complete the online registration process if you are a Virtus approved driver and you are volunteering to drive but don't plan to camp.
The Troop's transportation coordinator may actively recruit parents to drive to/from the camping location if we don't have sufficient adult volunteers to drive. You may be asked to drive one or both ways.

Summer Camp, 23 July - 2 August 2026, SAVE THE DATES

We will be traveling to Camp Rotary in Clare, Michigan for our 2026 Summer Camp. We need volunteers to help plan and execute the trip. We are especially looking for several people to help with the logistics, including travel, lodging, and activity arrangements to/from camp.

High Adventure Trips to Philmont and Sea Base in 2026, Sign Up for Crews

We have two crews who will going to Philmont from 17 June - 1 July 2026.

We will also have two crews going to Sea Base. One will be gone from and 14-20 July 2026 and the other from 14-20 August 2026 participating in a Reef Sailing Adventure.

See additional information, including the payment schedule, on the page.
Contact Mr. Boutilier to sign up for these trips.

Additional Resources for Scouts, Parents, and Adults

Please visit the Resources page under the Information menu above for additional information about Troop 497 programs and activities.