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How to join Boy Scouts

There is a lot of stuff to do to reigster your son as a scout, but compared to the experience that your son will remember for his entire life, it is worth it a hundred times over. You can also email the Membership SubCommittee for help: lechun.c.wu@gmail.com, kwei8620826@gmail.com, jingchen72@gmail.com.

  1. Request to join the T485 Google Group here to start receiving email updates (You don't need to be added before continuing to the next steps).
  2. Register with the BSA Council
    1. Begin your registration at the Boy Scouts of America Online Application page here.
    2. During online registration make sure you tick the checkbox "Boy's Life" magazine to subscribe to it.
    3. Pay the registration fee online and email to the T485 Membership SubCommittee (lechun.c.wu@gmail.com, kwei8620826@gmail.com, jingchen72@gmail.com) the amount you paid to the BSA Council. This amount will be deducted from your annual due to T485.
  3. Register with Troop 485
    1. Our annual due for 2018 is $300 (this amount may vary yearly), including the amount you paid directly to BSA online. If you joined mid-year the rate is prorated (at $25/month for 2018) counting from the month you registered at BSA website to December of the same year).
    2. Please bring a check (payable to T485) to the Membership SubCommittee by the next Committee meeting (2/19/2018). The amount is calculated as: Your prorated due minus the amount paid directly to BSA. For example, if your son joined in Feb 2018 and you paid $45 to the BSA Council, you will write a check of $320. If you are unsure of the amount we will help you calculate it at the time you turn in the check.
    3. Print and complete the T485 new scout forms, then sign and date it before bringing it to the Membership SubCommittee by the next Committee meeting
    4. Print and complete the BSA ABC Medical Forms. Form C must be signed by your son's doctor. Give the completed forms to the Membership SubCommittee by the next Committee meeting.
    5. Complete the online training at the BSA website: https://scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection.aspx and https://olc.scouting.org/info/bsfs.html
    6. Use the check list page (the first page of the new scout forms) to check off each items and return all completed/signed documents in the order of the checklist to Membership SubCommittee by the next Committee meeting. Incomplete document will delay the registration and may affect your son's ability to attend certain activities until he (is registered).
  4. Scout Uniform
    1. Purchase the scout uniform and scout handbook. Please read the Important Information Packet carefully, for details of what to buy at BSA store, what to buy with T485 and what no need to buy.
    2. Contact Rachel Qiu (Rachel.qiu03@gmail.com) for the class B Shirt and neckerchief, and Margaret Zhao (margaret_zhao@hotmail.com) for Unit number "4s85” patch.
  5. Camping Equipment
      You can use the document here as a basic guide for packing.

Scouting is a family activity and we encourage all parents to be involved in their Scout's development. Like anything else in life, you/your son, will get as much out of Scouting as you/he put into it.

Again, welcome to Scouting!

Advancement Guide

For more information on advancement, see this.

You can also see a presentation on advancement available here.

Uniform Guide

Uniform Guide

Scout Oath

On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

Scout Law

A scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.


Acronyms/Abbreviations

Troop 485 uses several abbreviations. Here is a list of the most commonly used abbreviations:

Emails:
YiS = Yours in Scouting

Adult Leadership:
CC = Committee Chair (Adult)
SM = Scoutmaster (Adult)
ASM = Assistant Scoutmaster (Adult)

Youth Leadership:
SPL = Senior Patrol Leader
ASPL= Assistant Sr. Patrol Leader
PL = Patrol Leader
APL = Assistant Patrol Leader

Events
AIC = Adult in Charge
SIC = Scout in Charge
COH = Court of Honor
FOS = Friends of Scouting
PLC = Patrol Leaders’ Council
TLT = Troop Leadership Training