IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS - see additional information below

• Eagle Court of Honor, Sunday, 19 April, Sign Up and pay by 9 April

• Wye Island NRMA, 24-26 April 2026, Signup Online Before 16 April and Pay at a Troop Meeting

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.

Photographs from Rodney and Horseshoe

Photographs from our camping trips to Rodney and Horseshoe are now available in the 2026 Album available on our Photographs web page. The Horseshoe photographs include individual portraits of almost everyone crossing the suspension bridge.

First Thursday Path to First Class, 9 April, 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 Meeting, Thursday, 9 April, 7:30-9:00 pm, BRING YOUR SCOUT HANDBOOKS

• Our Court of Honor on Sunday, April 19th is rapidly approaching. The spring Court of Honor is one of the best events of the scout year.  We want to ensure that every Scout who has achieved a rank advancement, earned a merit badge or otherwise qualified for an award is recognized at the Court of Honor.  
• But we need your help.
• We are asking all Scouts to bring their books on Thursday night. Adults will review the books to help make sure that all advancements and rewards get recognized.
• If you have not yet purchased your tickets, fill out the attached form and bring it with payment to the Troop meeting on 9 April.

Patrol Leaders Council (PLC), Sunday, 18 April, 6:00-8:00 PM, Joe's Cafe - NEW DATE!

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.

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

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Wye Island NRMA, 24-26 April 2026, Signup Online Now and Pay at Troop Meeting

Our next camping trip is to  Wye Island NRMA, Dividing Creek Youth Campsites #1 & 2

Some of the main activities for the weekend currently include Highland Games and Boat Building. 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.

• 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.
• Wye Island Trail Map
• Wye Island Topo Map
• Wye Island Brochure

• We will be tenting this weekend.  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.

• BRING MONEY FOR LUNCH ON SUNDAY.
• This is a Patrol cooking trip.Turn your menus into Mr. Michels by 9 April.
• 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. 

• Please register to drive using the Online Event Registration Form.
  
• Use these driving directions to Wye Island NRMA.The route is about 78 miles and will take about 1 hr 30 min without traffic to drive, there is a toll for the Bay Bridge - bring your EZ-PASS.
  
• 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.

Collecting Photographs from Summer Camp 2025

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.

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.

Summer Camp, 24 July - 2 August 2026

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, 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.