FAQ

1. HOW DO I JOIN?

See the Join Today page of this website.


2. HOW OLD (OR YOUNG) CAN A BOY BE TO JOIN TROOP 485?

Boy Scouting is for boys 11 to 17 years of age. Boys also may become Boy Scouts if they have earned the Cub Scouting Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old or have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10 years old.


3. MUST I BE A U.S. CITIZEN TO JOIN TROOP 485?

Citizenship is not required of youth or adult members of Troop 485. 


4. WHERE IS THE MEETING LOCATION?

Our regular meeting location is Home of Christ Church in Cupertino (10340 Bubb Rd, Cupertino)


5. MUST PARENTS ATTEND MEETINGS?

Parental involvement is very important and all meetings should be open to your participation.


6. WHERE CAN I GET SCOUTING SUPPLIES?

You can buy them at the Silicon Valley Montery Bay Council Scout Shop at 970 West Julian Street, San Jose, CA 95126.


7. HOW OFTEN DOES THE TROOP HAVE AN OUTING?

We normally have 8-11 outings a year. Outings could be hiking, camping, rafting, archery, or training trip.


8. WHAT IS THE BUDDY SYSTEM, AND WHY IS IT NECESSARY?

The buddy system is a safety routine that calls for a Scout to be paired with a buddy whenever he participates in Scouting activities such as aquatics, cycling, or hiking, and when he meets with his merit badge counselor. It is a way for Scouts to look after one another, stay safe, and have more fun. During meetings with adult leaders, a Scout’s buddy can be another Scout or friend, or a relative.


9. WHAT IS AN SPL?

The Senior Patrol Leader is the youth head of the troop. All other youth positions report to him, directly or indirectly. He is elected by the troop’s youth members as a whole, to serve a 6 month term.


10. CAN ADULT WOMEN BE BOY SCOUT LEADERS?

Yes. Every leadership position is open to adult women. In fact, more than one-third of Scout volunteers are women.


11. WHAT IS A COH?

A COH (Court of Honor) is Troop 485’s quarterly meeting to honor the achievements of our Scouts and adult leaders. During this meeting, Scouts are awarded rank advancement and merit badges. We encourage each Scout’s entire family to attend this meeting.


12. WHERE CAN I LEARN ALL THE SCOUT KNOTS?

You will learn all the scout knots as well as other scouting skills in our various training programs including the annual TLT (Troop Leader Training).


13. HOW DO I TIE A SQUARE KNOT?

To tie a square knot, take two ropes and cross them (A over B, where A is the end of one rope, and B is the end of another) to form a half knot. Cross them a second time (A over B again) and pull the ends tight to form the Square Knot. For more information, go to the animated knots page on the square knot.  To see how to tie most of the knots needed for rank requirements or merit badges, go to the animated knots page for scouting requirements.


14. MORE QUESTIONS? 

Email us at t485questions@gmail.com.