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. Raj Mahanti (443-528-1437).
We will need lots of help from the seniors, patrol leaders, older
scouts and adults
The main meeting event will be a Summer Camp Packing Demo. Learn what to bring, what not to bring, and how best to pack it for camp. Parents, especially of first summer camp scouts, are encourage to partake in the packing demo and learn from adults with many summer camps under their belts.
Download the Troop 497 Summer Camp Packing List
Join us on every Thursday evening for our Troop Meetings in the St Joseph Parish Multi-Purpose Room. Check these announcements for any updates.Please update your Zoom App to
the latest version before joining the meeting.
Zoom Meeting ID: 883
1455 5884
PLCs will generally be scheduled for the second 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 7 PM so the meeting can start on time. Parents should return at 8:00 PM to pick up their sons.
The main meeting event will be a Summer Camp Packing Demo. Learn what to bring, what not to bring, and how best to pack it for camp. Parents, especially of first summer camp scouts, are encourage to partake in the packing demo and learn from adults with many summer camps under their belts.
Download the Troop 497 Summer Camp Packing List
Bring two copies of your completed and signed medical and insurance forms and give them to Mr. Reidler at the next Troop Meeting. See the Information/Major Events page for detailed information.
Summer Camp Information will appear under the Information/Major Events page of this web site as it becomes available or changes. Generally this page will have an announcement about any new major information for about two weeks. The Major Events page is the repository for all the detailed information that can be shared publicly and that information will continue to grow as we get nearer to summer camp. Any private information will be sent in the troop emails. Currently the major Events page has information about passports, medicals, medications, and payments.We’re working hard towards making summer camp a great experience for everyone. On the trip to camp, we will take a jet boat ride through the rapids of the Niagara River Gorge to the Whirlpool. It’s a bouncy fun ride we have done our last two trips to Canada. Everyone will get soaked.
All participants need to complete a waiver and consent form online using the below link. For all youth participants, the form must also be signed by a parent or guardian: https://whirlpooljet.com/group-bookings/groups-niagara-falls/canadian-group-waivers/
You will need the following information to fill out the waiver/consent correctly:
You can find the current requirements for ALL Merit Badges and download FREE PDF versions of the Merit Badge Manuals at this link https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/all/
Update: 29 June 2025
Make sure your passport is signed by the bearer. "A U.S. passport book is not valid for official use unless it is signed by the bearer in the designated space." (US State Department)
"On a passport for a child under 16,
a parent should print the child's full
name on the signature line. The parent should also sign their name
next to the printed name of their child, and note their relation
to their child (example: mother, father, or guardian)." (US State
Department)
Please visit the Resources page under the Information menu above for additional information about Troop 497 programs and activities.