This page contains resources and general information about Troop 497 for both Parents and Scouts.
Must reading for every Scout and Adult. This handbook explains the workings of Troop 497. You will learn about Troop meetings, camping trips, advancement and many more activities relating to our Troop.
Must reading for every adult working with the Scouts or who wants to work with Scouts. This handbook explains the dos and don'ts for adults. It covers most of the items you will need to know to join us on an outdoor activity from camping to a day trip.
Each Scout Family is required to drive Scouts on one long camping trip or two short trips each year. Sign up to drive Scouts using the link in the announcement for each trip.
An updated youth protection training is available for staff, leaders and parents (Youth Protection Y01). The training includes a three-module course and a Certification Test that all leaders are required to complete this training annually. 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.
This is the presentation from the Parents Meeting of 4 October 2018 with a few updates based on information provided during the meeting. Please contact any adult leader if you have questions about anything in the presentation or would like to volunteer to help out Troop 497. The presentation includes the 2018-2019 program and objectives, summer camps, parents' commitment, high adventure programs, leadership and more.
We hope you'll take advantage of a shopping tool that will keep you out
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all, it costs you nothing!
The program is called "Amazon Smile," and it works like this:
It's that simple -- plus this program is a year 'round feature. Now, if you still have any question about the program, you'll likely find your answer at http://smile.amazon.com/about.
The Parents Club thanks you for considering this easy way to help Troop 497. Why not get started by making that initial visit to the sign up page for our Troop right now and shop at smile.amazon.com?
If you would like to receive Troop Committee email updates, please notify Ken at kkrach@mtb.com
If you change your e-mail address, phone numbers, or information on the roster – NOTIFY us of the change – just send an email to moosemen@verizon.net with the updated information.
Monthly boards of review for Star and Life are held during the first Troop meeting of each month. A scout who would like to plan a review must contact Dr. John Milto, our Troop Advancement Chairman, to schedule the Board of Review at least one week ahead of time. You will need to be in full uniform, have your Scout Handbook, dues paid in full, and merit badges confirmed.
Troop 497 supports programs for Scouts to earn religious emblems for several different faiths. Click on this document to read information on earning the religious emblems for your faith and for the contact information for Troop 497's Religious Emblems Counselor.
The Parents Club of Troop 497 directed donation number for the United Way is #7537. Use this number is you want your donation to go the Parents Club of Troop 497.
The Maryland department of Natural Resources (DNR) publishes maps of the state parks in Geo-Spatial-PDF format. You can download, print or use these maps with other 3rd party mobile applications, e.g., the free Avenza app, at no additional cost. The Avenza Maps app is available free for both Android and IOS. Avenza allows you to save maps to your phone that are geo referenced - they have lat/lon information that can be read by the apps and show your location on the map. You can also have it make a track of your progress which can be saved and loaded to other applications like Google Earth for later viewing and analysis. You can also access Maryland's Trail Atlas to explore areas all over Maryland.