For Parents
Parents Guide
Everything a new family needs to know about joining Troop 50 — from meetings and campouts to uniforms, dues, and how parents fit into a Scout-led troop.
How to Join
Troop 50 welcomes any Scout who has completed the fifth grade (or earned the Arrow of Light) and is at least 10 years old. Visiting a meeting is the easiest first step — come see how the Troop runs, meet the Scouts and adult leaders, and ask questions.
- Visit a weekly troop meeting with your Scout
- Complete the BSA youth application and health forms
- Meet the Scoutmaster to talk through expectations
Meetings & Campouts
The Troop meets weekly throughout the year at University United Methodist Church. We hold a yearly planning meeting in August to plan the campouts for the year. We also have monthly Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) meetings to discuss monthly troop activities and requirements.
- Weekly troop meetings — see the calendar for dates
- Monthly patrol campouts, planned by the Scouts themselves
- Summer camp each June; high adventure for older Scouts
Uniform & Gear
A complete uniform is expected at meetings and while traveling. Camping gear can be borrowed at first — the Troop supplies tents, stoves, and patrol cooking equipment. Try a few campouts before buying gear of your own.
- Class A uniform: field shirt, neckerchief, and insignia
- Troop supplies tents and patrol cooking gear
- Pack layers, rain gear, and broken-in boots for campouts
Costs & Fundraising
Annual dues cover registration, insurance, awards, and troop equipment. Camp and high-adventure fees are paid separately. The Troop runs fundraisers so Scouts can help offset the cost of their own adventures.
- Annual dues — ask the Scoutmaster for the current amount
- Camp fees are separate from annual dues
- Fundraisers help Scouts pay their own way
Health & Safety
Scouting requires an Annual Health & Medical Record (Parts A, B, and C) for every Scout and adult attending activities. Youth protection is taken seriously: two-deep leadership is required at every event, and all adults complete Youth Protection Training.
- Annual health forms required for all activities
- Two-deep leadership at every meeting and trip
- All adults complete BSA Youth Protection Training
Staying Involved
Troop communication happens through email, this website, and the troop calendar. Parents are also expected to volunteer — everything from driving to campouts to serving on the troop committee depends on parent involvement.
- Check the calendar page for upcoming events
- Watch your email for announcements and permission slips
- Every family is asked to help in some way
Still have questions?
Send us a note and a leader will get back to you with details about the next meeting.
