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Announcements


Last Update: 29 April 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.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS - see additional information below

NEW MEDICAL FORMS FOR 2026

Scouting America has updated the Medical Forms for Summer Camp and High Adventure Camps for 2026. The NEW 2026 VERSIONS, with the Troop 497 information pre-filled, are available on our Information / Major Events & Resources pages. All adults and Scouts who will be having a medical between now and these events should complete the form and bring it to their medical exam so the doctor can add his/her information and sign the forms.

Troop Meeting, Thursday, 30 April, 7:30-9:00 pm - OFFSITE MEETING AT A FARM

The meeting on April 30th will be held at Hidden Waters Farm at 3250 Old Court Rd, Pikesville, MD 21208. This is a regenerative farm. Check back for additional details.

Eagle Scout Lucas Donhauser is making this visit possible and relates to our monthly program of Agriculture and Gardening. During our visit the farm will have pigs, cows, and layer(egg laying chickens) in site.  They also have the space for outdoor games before or after the program!

Join us on every Thursday evening for our Troop Meetings in the St Joseph Parish Multi-Purpose Room. Check these announcements for any updates.

Patrol Leaders Council (PLC), Sunday, 3 May, 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.

Committee Meeting, Monday, 4 May, 7:30 - 9:00 PM

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

First Thursday Path to First Class, 7 May, 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

Antietam Creek Canoe Trip, 15-17 May
REGISTER ONLINE BY MAY 1ST AND PAY AT A TROOP MEETING

Updated 28 April 2026

Our next camping trip is a canoe trip down Antietam Creek. Sign up early. We have a limited number of seats available in the canoes - they will go to the people who register first.

Actions required by participants before the trip:

Car Wash – 6th June 2026 (Severe Weather Date: 13 June)

Please start submitting your pledges and/or corporate sponsorships to Mr. Zach during Troop Meetings. Thanks to everyone who is helping motivate the boys on achieving their goal, and for helping to make this car wash a success!

The annual car wash is quickly approaching.  We began distributing the Car Wash donation packets to the scouts at the Troop meeting on Thursday, April 23rd. If you did not receive your packet, you have two options, either go to the Forms/Current Events page and print the forms, or contact Mr. Zach to arrange a pickup of your packet.

Please get started right away on getting sponsors. Each scout is expected to raise at least $200.00 in pledges and/or corporate sponsorships. The first $100.00 in pledges goes 100% to the troop. Every pledge over the first $100 goes to the scout’s family account, which can be used to pay for summer camp, monthly camping trips, and any supplies related to scouting.

For every $25 in donations that each scout turns in each week, they will get one ticket for that week’s prize drawings.  We are in need of donations for the weekly prize drawings. The prizes can be anything you think the boys will like, from a $5.00 gift card to Dunkin', to the unused Christmas gift that is sitting in your basement.  No prize is too small!

Please respond to Mr. Zach (jeffzach2002@gmail.com or 847-682-9385) to let him know if you are able to offer any prize donation. Please bring your prize donations to the weekly Troop meetings.

Thanks for helping motivate the boys on achieving their goal, and for helping to make this car wash a success!

Summer Camp, 24 July - 2 August 2026

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.

Please visit our  Information / Major Events page for more information about Summer Camp and the items listed below. Information will remain on that page until after we return from camp. Information in these Announcements will be posted for a short time and then removed.

Medical Forms for Summer Camp and High Adventure Camps

Scouting America has updated the Medical Forms for Summer Camp and High Adventure Camps for 2026. The NEW 2026 VERSIONS are available on our Information / Major Events & Resources pages. All adults and Scouts who will be having a medical between now and these events should complete the form and bring it to their medical exam so the doctor can add his/her information and sign the forms.

Self-Certification Statement Out-of-State Clearances - MUST be completed by all adults attending any part of summer camp

All Adults attending any part of summer camp must complete and sign the Self-Certification Statement Out-of-State Clearances document. They will be collected before summer camp. Additional information to follow.

Payment Schedule

Check the payment schedule and please keep up with your payments by paying the Troop Treasurer at any Troop Meeting.

High Adventure Trips to Philmont and Sea Base in 2026

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.