Junior Leader Training, 3th January

• When: 3 January 2026, 9 AM to 3 PM
• Where: Associated Gun Clubs Trap Room
• There is no charge for the training.

Committee Meeting, Monday, 5 January 2026, 7:30 - 9:00 PM

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

Citizenship in Society Starting 7 January 2026 (continuing 20 January & 4 February)

First Thursday Path to First Class, 8 January 2026, 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, 8 January 2026, 7:30-9:00 pm

The meeting Theme for January is The Decades.

Patrol Leaders Council (PLC), Sunday, 11 January, 6:00-7:00 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.

Religious Award Program, Meeting on 18 January 2026

Starting in January troop adults will be leading classes for the religious awards for Catholic and Protestant scouts. The Jewish religious award is conducted directly with your Rabbi or Cantor at your place of worship. For information about working on any religious award see Mr. Clasing or Oliver Kuhn (troop chaplain’s aide). Programs exist for most faiths. See https://www.scouting.org/awards/religious-awards/chart/ for details about your religion.

There will be a kickoff meeting for all scouts interested in the Catholic or Protestant religious awards on Sunday, January 18 at 6:00 pm at the home of Mr. Clasing. At this meeting information will be given about next steps and the commitment that is necessary for successful completion of the programs. A parent is required to attend so that they are aware of the commitment being made.

Contact Mr. Clasing at bclasing@comcast.net if you would like to attend the kickoff meeting and investigate the religious award programs for your faith. More information will be emailed to interested scouts in early January. Attending the meeting does not obligate anyone to move forward in the program.

Troop Elections, Thursday, 29 January during Troop Meeting, 7:30 - 9:00 PM, Multipurpose Room

Camp Spenser, Broad Creek, 23-25 January 2026, Signup & Pay by 8 January

Our next camping trip is to Camp Spencer, Broad Creek MSR. We will be staying in Hansen Lodge and the Administration Building. The currently listed activities include Olympics / Ultimate Frisbee / Fashion show /Rifle Shooting.

Please register to participate using the Online Event Registration Form and pay the Treasurer at a Troop meeting before 8th January.

BROAD CREEK HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT MUST BE SIGNED BY A PARENT BEFORE CAMPING TRIP

Parents must Sign the bottom and and Initial next to Rifle Shooting on this Hold Harmless Agreement for their sons to participate in this offered event during the camping trip. Your Scout also needs to sign this form. This is a requirement of Broad Creek and the Baltimore Area Council. You can also initial all the activities on the form for which you give permission for your son to participate in at Broad Creek this coming year. The form is valid for 12 months from the date of signature.

Please print, sign, and bring the completed form to a Troop Meeting before the camping trip and give to Mr. Andy Reidler. Or, you could scan the document and email it to Mr Reidler at andyreidler@gmail.com.

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 $30 for Scouts and $10 for Adults. Pay the troop treasurer at a Troop meeting.
• Turn in a completed Broad Creek Hold Harmless agreement for at least Rifle Shooting.
  

General Information 

• Check back for the main activities for the weekend.
• 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.

• We will be sleeping and eating in heated buildings this weekend. Adults may tent in their personal tents, or an arranged troop tent, or may sleep in one of the lodges.

• This is a Troop cooking trip. 
• Special dietary restrictions: Special dietary restrictions: If your son has special dietary restrictions you would like the Troop to attempt to accommodate contact the Mr. Michels. PLEASE BRING SPECIAL FOOD AS NEEDED. 

• Please register to drive using the Online Event Registration Form.
  
• Use these driving directions to Camp Spenser.The route is 32 miles and will take about 50 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.

Scout Sunday, 1 February

Scout Sunday at St. Josephs Parish is on 1 February and we will celebrate during the 9 am mass (tentative). All the Scouting organizations supported by the Parish including Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts participate in this Parish event. Please support this event by coming to the mass in your full Class A uniform and sitting with the Scouts. All Catholic Scouts are expected to participate and Scouts of all faiths are encouraged to participate. We generally meet in the multipurpose room (troop meeting location) and walk into the church as a group. There are refreshments following the service. More information will be shared during upcoming troop meetings.

Venture Ski Trip, 6-8 February 2026, openings available

• Full cost of the Ski Trip ($200) must be paid by the completion of the Troop meeting on Thursday January 15th. Please make checks out to Troop 497. Read the flyer for more details.
  
• You will need to purchase your lift ticket on line and depending on your lift ticket it will get you discounts on rentals and should get you discounts on lessons.  Follow this link for instruction on how to purchase your Epic Pass.
• Seniors, patrol leaders or those who have been patrol leaders and venture scouts are eligible for this trip to Seven Springs Mountain Resort.
• Cost is $200. Fee includes 2 nights lodging, 2 Breakfasts in the chalet, lunch will be available in the cabin, Dinner
  Saturday and snacks. Seven Springs has 31 slopes and trails. Information on the Resort is available at 7Springs.
• There is a first $50 deposit due by 13 November. The first deposit holds your spot and reservations are on a first come first serve basis. Make all checks payable to Troop 497.
• You will need to purchase your lift ticket on line and depending on your lift ticket it will get you discounts on rentals and should get you
  discounts on lessons. Note, prices go up October 9th.
• Check out the photos from previous year's ski trip and read the flyer giving more information about the trip including payment details.
• Questions, call Mr. Andy Reidler at 443-280-4268 or email your questions to andyreidler@gmail.com.
• Check back closer to January for a permission form and equipment request form which must be returned it to Mr. Reidler.

Summer Camp, 23 July - 2 August 2026, SAVE THE DATES

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  page.
• Contact Mr. Boutilier to sign up for these trips.

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.