This page contains the information and resources needed to register new Scouts and Adult Leaders. 
Last Update: 13 June 2025. Click your browser's refresh button to ensure you are looking at the most recent update to this page.
Click underlined text to follow the link to additional information.

Registration for new Scouts

We are continuing to register new Scouts through the mail or at Troop Meetings. You will need to download the forms using the links below, print out the forms, fill them in completely and mail them into Troop 497 at the address below or bring them to a Troop meeting. Some blank forms are also available at Troop meetings. You may contact Mr. Ken Krach if you have any questions about the forms or registration process. Please retain a copy for your records.

As set forth below, PLEASE MAIL COMPLETED FORMS TO THE TROOP OR BRING THEM TO A TROOP MEETING.  NO FORMS SHOULD BE MAILED TO SCOUT HEADQUARTERS, ST JOSEPH PARISH, OR A GOVERNMENT AGENCY.  The Troop will review all completed forms and transmit them to the appropriate people for processing.

Here are the forms and documents which are needed:

1. BSA Youth Application

• Please follow this link to the BSA Youth Application. Download the form and fill out the form completely. This form may be downloaded, printed, and then filled in. You can also download the form and fill it in electronically using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (other pdf software may not render the form correctly). Please sign the form with a pen regardless of which method you use to fill in the rest of the information.

2. Boy Scout Troop 497 Parental Consent and Medical Release for Scouts

• Please complete this form     for each Scout. The form requires signatures from both parents or guardians in the presence of two witnesses.

3. BSA Medical Form for Scouts   

• Please use the Troop version of the BSA Medical Form which has Troop information already entered. This is a link to the national Boy Scout site where you can read the instructions and download the current BSA Medical Form required for all BSA activities. Please submit Parts A, B1, and B2 when registering along with copies of the front and back of your medical insurance card.
  Parents can complete these sections - a doctor visit is not required.


• An annual physical is required for everyone participating in events lasting 72 continuous hours, e.g., summer camp. Use the material in the section under "Are You Going to Camp?".  The Physical and Part C are only needed for summer camp and can be completed later.

4. Registration Fees to Troop 497

• The initial registration fee is $50.00 for a new Scout, payable to Troop 497.  The Troop will pay your annual registration renewal fees as long as you are a member of the troop. For this one time fee the new Scout will receive a Troop 497 Logo Hat, Troop scarf, 497 shoulder patch, Boy’s Life magazine, and scout registration fee paid.  The Scout will receive a name tag when he goes to his first summer camp.

5. Payment of Fee and Mailing of ALL COMPLETED FORMS
   Bring all of the completed forms above and your registration fee check to a Troop meeting or mail them to:
   

Registration for new Adult Leaders

We are continuing to register new Adult Leaders through the mail or at Troop meetings. Adult Leader registration is only for those adults who anticipate becoming Adult Leaders, as Assistant Scoutmasters or Committee Members, and actively working with our Scouts. You should not register as an Adult Leader simply because you are a parent. You will need to download the forms using the links below, print out the forms, fill them in completely and mail them into Troop 497 at the address below or bring them to a Troop meeting. You may contact  Mr. Ken Krach if you have any questions about the forms or registration process. Please retain a copy for your records.

As set forth below, PLEASE MAIL COMPLETED FORMS TO THE TROOP OR BRING THEM TO A TROOP MEETING.  NO FORMS SHOULD BE MAILED TO SCOUT HEADQUARTERS, ST JOSEPH PARISH, OR A GOVERNMENT AGENCY.  The Troop will review all completed forms and transmit them to the appropriate people for processing.

Here are the forms and documents which are needed:

1. BSA Adult Application

• Please follow this link to the BSA Adult Application. This document also contains a second form, Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization. Download the forms, fill out both forms completely. These forms may be downloaded, printed, and then filled in. You can also download the form and fill it in electronically using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (other pdf software may not render the form correctly). Please sign the form with a pen regardless of which method you use to fill in the rest of the information.

2. BSA Medical Form for Adult Leaders  

• Please use the Troop version of the BSA Medical Form which has Troop information already entered. This is a link to the national Boy Scout site where you can read the instructions and download the current BSA Medical Form required for all BSA activities. Please submit Parts A, B1, and B2 when registering along with copies of the front and back of your medical insurance card. Adults can complete these sections - a doctor visit is not required.
  


• An annual physical is required for everyone participating in events lasting 72 continuous hours, e.g., summer camp. Use the material in the section under "Are You Going to Camp?".  The Physical and Part C are only needed for summer camp and can be completed later.

3. Youth Protection Training and References for Adults

There are three requirements for Youth Protection Training (YPT) which all Adult Leaders must complete and remain current to be registered.

1. The first is the BSA Youth Protection Training which is done online annually.

Scouts BSA youth protection training is available online (Youth Protection Training - Mandatory v2). The training includes a three-module course and a Certification Test that all Adult Leaders are required to complete annually. It is also recommended that parents take this training.  View the instructions for taking the new course and login to your BSA account at my.scouting.org to take the course. The course and test will take about 90 minutes to complete but can be completed a module at a time. Email a copy of your completed certificate to Adam Spence (adam@spencefirm.com).

2. Adult leaders are also required to have current Youth Protection Training provided by the Archdiocese of Baltimore through Virtus Online.

Click this link for Archdiocese of Baltimore Registration Instructions Volunteer with Substantial Contact with Children. Click Virtus Online for the link to this training. Log in to the site with your account and password or click the "First-Time Registrant" button to set up a new account and take the training. Contact Adam Spence (adam@spencefirm.com) with any questions and email him a copy of your completed certificate.

Make sure to click that you will drive youth and agree to a DMV check. This is a requirement by St Joseph Parish for all drivers of youth.

3. St. Joseph Parish also requires that all Adult leaders submit a reference form to the Parish.

St Joseph Parish also requires you complete and submit reference information. Please follow the instructions in this document. You can also find additional information on the St Joseph Parish site.

The Reference Form should be physically signed however the rest of the form can be typed using the fillable function enabled on the form. Forms need to be scanned in using a scanning app on your smart phone (ie: ScannerPro, CamScanner, Adobe) or a flatbed scanner. Please do NOT take a picture as it becomes problematic with printing due to size and shadowing. Scanned forms can be emailed to Jenn Reedholm at jreedholm@sjpmd.org. If you are not able to scan it, you can mail or drop it off to the parish center (or the school office) to the attention of Jenn Reedholm and the secretaries will scan it to her on your behalf. Please be sure that the reference information you enter on your virtus account matches your forms.


4. Registration Fee

• There is no registration fee for Adults joining Troop 497 as Leaders. New Adult Leaders will receive a Troop 497 Logo Hat, Troop scarf, 497 shoulder patch. Adults will also receive a name tag when Adults go to their first summer camp. You will also be re-reimbursed for the fingerprinting fee upon approval of your check request.

5. Criminal Background Check and Fingerprinting (Updated 13 June 2025)

• All Adult Leaders of Troop 497 must be fingerprinted and submit for a Criminal Background Check.
  
  
• Visit the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for detailed information and contact Mr. Michels if you have any questions.


• Complete THIS Livescan Pre-Registration Application which is prefilled out with information specific to our Troop. The document can be filled in by first downloading the document and then  using the free Adobe Reader. You can also first edit the document in your browser and then download it to your computer. You can also download the file, print it, and complete it with a pen. Do NOT mail this form; bring the completed form with you when you get fingerprinted.


• The ONLY section you need to complete is the "APPLICANT INFORMATION". The rest of the information is already filled in for our Troop.


• Go to an approved provider offering Fingerprinting Services. You can select either a government location or a private provider, The cost may vary by provider. Submit a Check Request along with your receipt to the Troop Treasurer for reimbursement.
  

6. SUBMITTING ALL COMPLETED FORMS - DO NOT MAIL ANY FORMS TO SCOUT HEADQUARTERS OR ST. JOSEPH PARISH. Bring all of the completed forms above to to a Troop meeting or mail them to: