Troop 497 Announcements

Last Update: 19 March 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.

Collecting Photographs from Summer Camp 2025

Mr. Tiralla is gathering photos from our 2025 summer camp trip and would love your help. Please select 5–10 of your favorite photos and add them to our Google album https://photos.app.goo.gl/CNqwMAt4u3asp5579 or send them to him as uncompressed JPG files at fxtphotography@gmail.com. If file size is a problem, please bring the files to the next troop meeting on a USB flash drive.

Michigan Rotary Summer Camp Merit Badge and Activity Sign Up, SHOULD BE COMPLETED!

It is time for Scouts to select their Merit Badges and Activities for our 2026 Summer Camp at Rotary in Michigan. All Scouts, with the assistance of their parents and Adult Leaders, should make their selections and submit their requests to the Troop prior to March 15th. We will start entering merit badge choices in the camp system on March 15 once the camp enables the system for entry. Some of the classes have limited space and limited offerings (like welding). These classes will fill up fast as our troop and everyone else going to camp is putting in requests. Your chances for getting the classes you want are GREATLY ENHANCED if you submit them to the Troop prior to March 15th!

Detailed information and links for selecting and submitting your Merit Badge requests for Summer Camp are on our Information/Major Events page of this website.
If you have questions please contact Mr. Clasing at weekly troop meetings or at 443-326-6132.

Troop Meeting, Thursday, 19 March, 7:30-9:00 pm,

The monthly theme for March is Cooking and International Cooking.

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

Camp Horseshoe, 27-29 March 2026, Register and Pay Is Due Now

Our next camping trip is to Camp Horseshoe, sites Trailblazer & Campcraft + Goodman Pavilion.

Some of the main activities for the weekend currently include kickball, a cooking competition, and a scavenger hunt. There will also be time for working on rank advancement and PASS during the trip.

Please register to participate using the Online Event Registration Form and pay the Treasurer at a Troop meeting before 13th March.

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 $20 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 tenting this weekend. There is a pavilion, which we may 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 other camping tripS. Adults may tent in their personal tents or a troop tent.

Food

This is a Patrol cooking trip.Turn your menus into Mr. Michels by 12 March.
Special dietary restrictions: Special dietary restrictions: If your son has special dietary restrictions you would like the patrol to attempt to accommodate contact the Patrol Leader. PLEASE BRING SPECIAL FOOD AS NEEDED.

Adult Menu

Check back closer to the camping trip.

Transportation

Please register to drive using the Online Event Registration Form.
Use these driving directions to Camp Horseshoe.The route is about 50 miles and will take about 75 minutes to drive.
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.

Canoe Trip, Antietam Creek, 15-17 May

We will be camping at Antietam Creek Campground, sites 9-15 and canoeing on Antietam Creek.

Before the trip:

All Scouts and Adults on the creek have passed the BSA Swimmers test within the last 12 months before 16 May 2026. This could have been at Water Weekend 2025 or Summer Camp 2025. Verify your status with Dr. Tierney. Otherwise, you need to pass the BSA swimmer test before 15 May.
All Adults on the water must have completed Safety Afloat and should have completed Safe Swim Defense within the two years of 16 May 2026. Both course can be completed online and take about 30 minutes each. You will also want to have these completed for Water Weekend in June.
Check back for more details as we get closer to the trip.

Eagle Court of Honor, Sunday, 19 April, 2-6 pm, Multipurpose Room, St. Joseph School

Sunday, April 19, 2026, 2-6 p.m.
Where: Multi Purpose Room, St. Joseph’s School
Cost: $15 per person ($7 for children 10 and under)

The Troop 497 Court of Honor will take place on Sunday, 19 April, from 2 pm to 6 pm, in the Multipurpose Room of St. Joseph's School. This is our opportunity to honor Troop 497's newest group of Eagle Scouts, as well as celebrate all troop members' newest advancements and merit badges earned. The event will include a dinner and dessert and will be a special, not to be missed event. To reserve your tickets, fill out the attached form and bring it with payment to the Troop meetings between now and 9 April. If you have any questions, please reach out to Amy Madsen at 410 440 6313 or acoatesmadsen@gmail.com. Thank you!

There are opportunities for Scouts and parents to help with set up, clean up, and during the event. Questions: reach out to Amy Madsen.

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

The Medical Forms for Summer Camp and High Adventure Camps are available on our Information / Major Events page. 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, 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 Information / Major Events page.
Contact Mr. Boutilier to sign up for these trips.

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

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.