2024-2025 Goals and Monthly Program Posted

The 2024-2025 Goals and Monthly Program Posted have been posted to the Monthly Program & Goals page under the Schedule Menu. Check out the plans made by the Seniors and Patrol Leaders for the coming Scouting year.

New Photographs Posted on Web Site

A lot of new photographs have been posted to the 2024 Photo Album under the Photographs menu item. Events added or updated include:

• Scout Sunday
• Walkersville Watershed
• Camp Spencer Camping
• Antietam Creek Canoeing
• Junior Leader Training
• Car Wash
• Water Weekend

Some of these events only photographs from one contributor. If you would like to submit additional photographs send a download link to your curated collection of photographs for the event to the webmaster at webmaster497@gmail.com. Select just your best photographs and eliminate near duplicates. Include photographs from different activities during the event.

First Thursday Path to First Class, 5 September, 6-7 PM, MEET OUTSIDE NEAR MPR

The First Thursday meeting will be held from 6-7 PM OUTSIDE NEAR THE MPR.  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

First Troop Meeting of the New Scouting Year, Thursday, 5 September, 7:30 - 9:00 PM, Multipurpose Room

We will meet in person in the Multipurpose Room this week and follow the current Archdiocese Covid-19 protocols which is that masks are optional.

Patrol Leaders Council (PLC), Sunday, 8 September, 7:00-8:00 PM, Joe's Cafe

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.

The PLC will once again be in person. 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.

Calvert Cliffs Camping, 13-15 September, Sign up on line and pay treasurer by 5 September

Updated 24 August 2024

Our next camping trip is to Calvert Cliffs SP. We have reserved all 5 youth sites. This is a tent camping trip with Patrol Cooking. Plan on cooking your PASS meals on this trip because the next opportunity won't be until the December trip.

• Complete the Event Registration Form and pay the Troop Treasurer at a Troop Meeting by 5 September. We need a good count of participants to arrange car pooling and to buy enough food for the adults and for the patrols to also the correct amount of food.
• 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 TBD for Scouts and Adults. Pay the troop treasurer at a Troop meeting.
  

• This is a tent camping trip with Patrol cooking.
  
• The main activity for the weekend is a Murder Mystery Game. 
• Check this link for a Weekend Personal Clothing and Gear List. In additional to items on that list everyone should bring these items
• Topographical map of Calvert Cliffs SP
  

Food

• Special dietary restrictions: Special dietary restrictions: If your son has special dietary restrictions you would like the patrol to attempt to accommodate on this trip, please contact his Patrol Leader, and family purchasing the patrol food, as soon as possible. PLEASE BRING SPECIAL FOOD AS NEEDED.
• Scout and Adult Menu (TBD)
  
• Sat breakfast:
• Sat lunch:
• Sat dinner:  
• Cracker Barrel:
• Sun breakfast:
• Sun lunch:
  

Transportation

• WE NEED DRIVERS – please register to drive using the Online Event Registration Form.
  
• Everyone going on the camping trip should meet at the shed on Friday evening in full uniform at 6:30 PM.
• We will pack the trailers with Patrol and Troop equipment and food.
• We will disperse to the cars driving to our camping trip.
• We will return to the shed in full uniform on Sunday at 2 PM and unload the trailers and take care of the gear used on the trip. Parents should arrive at this time to pick up their sons who had carpooled with another adult.
• Click to view the Suggested Driving Directions. It is 102 miles and about a 2 hour drive.This qualifies as a long trip.

  Carpooling:

• All parents are highly encouraged to volunteer to drive on at least one of the trips this fall.
• All adults attending the trip, and parents willing to drive scouts but not camping, should confirm whether they will be driving scouts at least one week before the trip when they register for the camping trip. You should still complete the online registration process if 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.

Annual Parents Meeting: Thursday, 19 September 7:30 PM, Joe's Cafe

The Annual Parents Meeting to kick off our new scouting season will take place on Thursday, 19 September at 7:30 pm in Joe's Cafe in the Parish Center basement. At least one parent of every scout is expected to participate. During this meeting the troop leadership will present the 2024-2025 program and objectives, discuss summer camp, parents' commitment, high adventure programs, leadership and more. It your opportunity to volunteer to support our scout programs and fund raising, learn how to stay informed, and have your questions answered. Don't miss it!

Citizenship in Society Merit Badge

Mrs. Madsen will be offering a Citizenship in Society merit badge group class this fall. The session is held in three two hour sessions over zoom. It is an Eagle required merit badge. if you have not yet earned Citizenship in Society and would like to participate in the course this fall, please email Mrs. Madsen at acoatesmadsen@gmail.com so that your date preferences can be taken into consideration when setting up the program dates.

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.