Last Update: 21 October 2026.
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IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS - see additional information below
Camping at Calvert Cliffs, SP 23-25
October, Registration is Open
Fall Court of Honor, 29 October
Venture Ski Trip, 29-31 January 2027,
PURCHASE EPIC SKI PASSES NOW - Price Increases 1 November
Backpacking Trip, 13-15 November
Troop Meeting, Thursday, 22 October 2026, 7:30-9:00 pm, Multi-Purpose
Room
The theme for September is Pinewood Derby.
Join us on every Thursday evening for our Troop Meetings in the St Joseph
Parish Multi-Purpose Room. Check these announcements for any updates.
Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) Cockeysville is holding a Trunk
or Treat event in the library parking lot on Friday, Oct. 30th from
6-8pm to celebrate Halloween.
BCPL invites people and community groups to decorate their vehicles and
dress in costumes, if they'd like, and distribute treats from their
vehicles' trunks to local young people and their families. This is BCPL's
4th year hosting this event and it is very popular with the community. The
police department participates in the event in a big way. Troop 497
has signed up to participate as well. We plan to make this an
opportunity to recruit prospective new members of troop 497 and Pack 43.
We are looking for ideas on and a few volunteers to help with this event.
We can discuss details set our plans during the 22nd October troop
meeting.
Photographs from the Recognition Event for Ray Palmer Available
Photographs from the Recognition Event for Ray Palmer are available in the
2026 Events menu under Photographs in the menu bar above. View, and
download the ones of interest to your device. Please note, the group of
Eagle Scouts and wide angle photos of people at the tables have incredible
detail, over 100 megapixels each. Make sure to zoom in when you view them!
Calvert Cliffs SP 23-25 October, Sign Up Online and Pay at a Troop
Meeting
Our next camping trip is to Calvert
Cliffs State Park in Lusby, Maryland. We last camped
here in September 2024 - photos are available to view by clicking the
Photographs menu item above.
Actions required by participants before the trip:
Complete
the Event Registration Form and pay the
Troop Treasurer at a Troop Meeting.We need a good
count of participants to purchase enough food for the Scouts and
adults.
Re-register if you need to make updates or cancel your participation
after you submit your initial registration.
The
cost for the trip is $20 for Scouts plus their share of Patrol
food, and $10 Adults. Pay the troop treasurer at a Troop
meeting.
General Information
The main activity for the
weekend is Biking and Hiking!
Let us know if you will be biking or hiking when you register.
Everyone will be visiting the Calvert Marine Museum and grounds.
Everyone biking must bring and wear a helmet while biking.
Carry a flashlight in your pocket for when you arrive.
We will return to the shed on Sunday at 2 PM and take care of
the gear used on the trip. Parents should arrive at 1:45 to pick up
their sons who had carpooled with another adult.
Topographic Map of Calvert Cliffs
showing hiking trails in the park.
Shelter
We will be tenting this weekend. There are two pavilions, which we
will have access to use, but no enclosed buildings. Scouts must sleep
in troop tents and adhere to normal BSA guidelines for tenting with
other scouts as we do on any other camping trip. Adults may tent in
their personal tents or a troop tent.
Biking NEW - Added 16 October
We will be leaving our campsite on bicycle and be riding on dirt roads
for the first few miles. After that the trip will be on paved back roads
until our final return to camp. I should be an easy 20 mile ride with
several stops. Mr Clasing gave an excellent
presentation during the Troop Meeting on the 15th
(click the link) describing the ride and the sites we will visit.
These items should be packed by each rider:
Properly fitted bicycle helmet
Water bottle mounted on the bike or carried in/on a pack.
Extra tube that will fit your bike (unless tires are tubeless)
Bicycle gloves
Padded cycling shorts or comfortable athletic pants/shorts
Moisture-wicking shirt and jacket/sweatshirt suitable for weather
Athletic shoes suitable for cycling
Sunglasses or protective eyewear
Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
Small backpack or cycling pack to carry tube, jacket and lunch
Rain jacket or lightweight rain gear (depending on forecast)
Small towel or bandana
Lights for your bike if you have them (don't go out and buy them)
(be sure to charge them at home or bring spare batteries)
Lock and cable for your bike if you have one.
Food
This is a Patrol cooking trip.
LUNCH ON SATURDAY NEEDS TO BE PACKABLE FOR EACH PERSON. Some
patrol members may be hiking and others biking.
This is the best opportunity left in 2026 for cooking your PASS
Meal. Contact Mr Kakel with your request and meal plan.
Special dietary restrictions: If your son has special
dietary restrictions you would like the troop to attempt to
accommodate on this trip, please contact Mr. Ken Krach at
kf62krach@gmail.com as soon as possible. PLEASE BRING SPECIAL FOOD
AS NEEDED.
We can use every driver to attach a bike rack to their car to
carry bicycles for the trip.
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.
Ask for the code Friday night.
Have a flashlight handy
when you arrive to see the combination.
From the park: THE GATE MUST BE LOCKED WHEN NO
ONE IS AT THE GATE. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO LOCK THE CHAIN
PROPERLY. IF LOCKED IMPROPERLY, PEOPLE CAN GET LOCKED
IN/OUT OF THE CAMPGROUND. PLEASE CONNECT THE BLUE LOCK TO
THE CHAINS WITH BLUE TAPE. SEE PHOTO FOR REFERENCE:
Fall Court of Honor: 29 October, 7:30 Multipurpose Room
Our Fall Court of Honor will take place in the Multipurpose Room in lieu
of our regular troop meeting. Parents and siblings are encourage to come.
Scouts and Adult Leaders will receive awards earned since our last Court
of Honor including all awards and merit badges earned at summer camp.
Scouts and adult leaders should be in full Scout uniform. Refreshments
will be served following the COH.
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 November, 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
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.
Backpacking Trip, 13-15 November, Save the Dates
Our Annual Backpacking Trip, will take place the weekend of 13-15
November. Plans are being finalized for a new location along the Tuscarora
Trail in Pennsylvania. Check back for more details.
Venture Ski Trip, 29-31 January 2027, PURCHASE EPIC SKI PASSES NOW
- Price Increases 1 November
The annual Venture Ski Trip will take place 29-31 January 2027 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort.
This
event is open to all seniors, Patrol leaders and anyone who has served
as a patrol leader.
There
is a great opportunity to save money for the upcoming ski season. If you or your
family likes to ski you have the opportunity to purchase an EPIC pass
now and save money. This money saving opportunity is not limited to
those who are planning to attend this trip but if you are, you can
purchase an EPIC pass now to save money. Please note the earlier you buy the better the
price as prices increase and the next price increase is November 1st.
EPIC passes are not available with this special discount after the end
of November.
Check your email for a special announcement giving instructions on how to
purchase your passes using the Troop's Discount Code. This is your chance
to save money and remember EPIC passes need to be purchased based on the
region you want to ski.
If you have any questions please contact Mr. Andy Reidler.
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.
