Boy Scout Troop 283 - Who We Are (page1)

Troop 283 has been continuously chartered for over 95 years and is the oldest continuously chartered troop in Minnesota! We are in the Lake Minnetonka District of Northern Star Council. Wayzata Community Church is the chartering organization of the Troop and provides strong support with meeting rooms and troop storage space. While several of our Scouts attend WCC, we are extremely proud that many area churches and synagogues are represented in the Troop. You may request a copy of our latest roster for your use in case you might wish to call any Scouts or parents from the Troop as you make up your mind about which Troop you will join. In addition to the great diversity of religious backgrounds represented in the Troop, another strength we feel the Troop has is the number of schools represented in the Troop. We have boys from Wayzata Central Middle and Wayzata West Middle Schools. We have a number of older boys who attend Wayzata High School. In addition to those listed above, we also have boys from St. Bart's, Redeemer Lutheran, and Orono schools. Our members live as close as a few blocks from the Church or as far away as Maple Plain and Mound.

We have an active Troop calendar. We camp or conduct another similar activity twelve months of the year. We provide leadership training for all of our boys. Our adult leaders are trained as well. Our regular Troop meetings are held on Monday evenings from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. They are held three times a month in most months. In addition, we hold a Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) meeting once a month for the Troop's leaders to plan our activities. Our adult leaders and parents meet once a month where they have input into the program and how the Troop can best meet the needs of the Scouts.

At our Troop meetings, the boys will participate in a variety of activities. Meetings will be structured around advancement, merit badge work, skills training, leadership exercises, physical fitness, planning for campouts, care of camping equipment, etc. If we tried to make a complete list of all the things that go on at the Troop level, we would have a list too long for this letter. Suffice it to say that the purpose of the Troop meeting is to meet the needs and wants of the Scouts in the Troop

In addition to the Troop functions, each boy will participate in a smaller group, the Patrol. This group (similar in size to the Den) meets during part of most Troop meetings. In addition, some Patrols will meet at least once a month outside the regular Troop meeting. Much of the Patrol's time is spent in planning for the Troop campouts and outings since each Patrol is responsible for its own menu and cooking schedule at each campout. Patrols will also work on merit badges of interest to the members of the Patrol.

The monthly outing (usually a campout) is the highlight of each month's program. Much of the Troop's program is taken up in planning these outings so that they are fun, safe, and memorable. Whether it is a canoe trip on the Brule River in Wisconsin or a ski weekend in the Arrowhead region of the state, the boys plan the program since they will be the ones making the trips work. Adult attendance is critical at all campouts. Transportation for up to 40 boys and all their gear is no small feat. To facilitate this, we have an Outdoor Chairperson who works to nail down all the loose ends regarding permits, camping areas, etc. If we do not have enough adults, we do not camp. We camp in rain, sun, or snow. We have found that the most severe weather often produces the most memorable camping trips. As a result, proper clothing and equipment are necessary for each boy and leader attending. Before you run out and buy any new equipment, wait and see what is recommended. We find that most Scouts can make do with what they have with a few modifications. Part of the planning process each campout is providing an equipment list for the upcoming event.

A highlight each year is our week at Many Point Scout Camp near ltasca State Park. This week is an excellent opportunity for every Scout to work on his advancement and merit badges. Every Scout should plan on attending camp each summer. In addition to our Troop's visit to Many Point, there are also opportunities for additional visits on an individual basis for those who cannot attend with the Troop, or those who desire more opportunity for camping and/or advancement. These are called All Star camps.

As the Scouts get older, their needs change. To address these needs, we attempt to have a number of High Adventure activity each year. These activities are only open to boys who are First Class or higher, Scouts who are 13 years or older by the date of the event. In recent years, we have paddled the Boundary Waters, visited Yellowstone and the Tetons in Wyoming, hiked the mountains of New Mexico at the Philmont Scout Reservation, sailed down at Sea Base in the Florida Keys and sailed around the Apostle Islands. Those in attendance see each of these trips as a lifetime experience.

Scouting is not without rules. A copy of our Troop Conduct Policy is available on the web site. As can be seen, the rules are really only common courtesy. Only by evenhanded enforcement of the policy can each Scout find a safe haven where he can grow, learn, and mature in a positive environment. We look to each Scout and adult to enforce this policy.