While it is true that Scouts do a lot of camping and earn merit badges, but the real work of Scouting is helping parents build strong, self-reliant young men (and women) who are good members of their families, communities, and nation. This is our goal for Boy Scout Troop 43.
Boy Scouting is open to boys who have completed the fifth grade or who are 11 through 17 years old. Troop 43's Venturing Crew is open to both young men and women who are at least 14 and have completed the eighth grade. The program goals include developing character, citizenship, and personal fitness by focusing on a fun and vigorous program that includes a mix of outdoor activities and community service projects.
Scouts learn skills in Troop/Crew meetings and then put those skills into practice. Scouts may participate in monthly campouts throughout the year. We may go camping in the snow one month, take a canoe trip or and extended hike. As Scouts gain experience and skills, they may participate with the Ventruing Crew's High Adventure programs, whitewater rafting, rock and mountain climbing, or whatever the boys and crew decide is interesting and achievable.
But it's not all fun and games. Our Scouts also participate in various community service projects throughout the year. It may be a wildlife preserve clean up project or trail restoration project. Or we may be asked to help out with food collection for needy families in the Holly area.
Boy Scout Troops practice the Patrol Method, which means that the Troop is boy-led with guidance from the Scoutmaster and his Assistants. Of course, a boy-led Troop doesn't develop overnight. Little by little, year by year, the boys learn to accept greater and greater amounts of responsibility for administration of the Troop, developing citizenship skills by participating in the small groups (or Patrols) who lead the Troop. The Patrol Method allows the boys to practice on a small scale the citizenship skills they need for their future adult roles in the community.
