Getting Started (FAQs)
You have questions? We have some answers. Check out the information below about joining Scouts BSA and getting started in Troop 652.
Ready to join our troop or stop by for a visit? Contact us.
Scouts BSA is for youth ages 11-17.
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. Often called the fundamental principles of scouting, the Scout Law describes the values that every Scout should follow to become an upstanding member in their community.
Scouting is all about building confidence and self-esteem, learning important life skills and leadership skills, team building, outdoor adventure, education and fun. Scouting helps build youth with strong character who are physically fit and prepared to be good citizens.
Scouts hang out with friends every week having fun, learning skills, playing games, working as a team and taking on new challenges. We go camping, hiking, swimming, sailing, cycling, canoeing and try new things. If there’s an adventure out there, we’ll find it!
Troop 652 includes a troop for boys (652B) and a troop for girls (652G). The troops meet weekly on Wednesdays at St. Basil from 7:00-8:30 PM.
Scouts BSA troop meetings are intended to be an activity for youth. They are not a family activity, and the presence of parents can be a distraction. However, parents are invited to observe from a distance. Parents can get involved by accompanying the troop camping and on activities, joining the troop committee, or registering to be a leader with the unit.
The 652 parent committee conducts a business meeting on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 6:15-7:00 PM. All parents are welcome to attend.
Troop 652 is proud to include many members that have achieved Eagle Scout rank. You can see a list of our Eagle Scouts here. Our Eagle Scouts stay involved and the number of active Eagles in the troop varies from year to year.
Troop 652 is sponsored by St. Basil the Great Catholic Church in Brecksville, Ohio. The church hosts a successful Scouting program by providing meeting space and service opportunities. See a history of Troop 652.
In 2024, annual youth memberships in BSA are $92 (January 1 – December 31). Adult memberships are a lower cost. If you are brand new to Scouting, there is a one-time join fee of $25.
Annually, our unit dues ($50) are collected by June 1. Dues help the troop pay for awards, merit badges, supplies and other items for the Scouts.
Weekend campouts, outings or activities average about $30 per event.
Troop members attend at least one week of summer camp in June at a local BSA camp. There may be an opportunity to go to a second week of summer camp in July, usually to farther location or out-of-state BSA camp. Summer camp costs +/-$375 per week per scout depending on the location. There is always early bird pricing for campers to secure a lower rate.
There are additional costs for uniforms and gear. See more details about troop uniforms and camping gear.
Our troop holds fundraisers throughout the year to help families defray scouting costs. Financial donations and gifts to our troop are always welcome.
652B uses an email list to communicate to all parents and members of the troop. In addition, we produce a monthly newsletter for our members, host a private Facebook group for scouts and parents, and use GroupMe for text notifications.
Unit members should speak with the Scoutmaster or contact the troop to get connected.
Find Troop 652B on Facebook.
Advancement is based on rank requirements specified in the BSA Handbook. Each Scout is required to have his own personal copy. This book is the “Bible” for scouting experience. The Scout is responsible for his own advancement work and should use his BSA Handbook to record his work. As an achievement is accomplished, it is the Scout’s responsibility to have his book initialed and dated to record this accomplishment.
Unlike Cub Scouts, parents do not sign-off requirements in their child’s BSA Handbook. The Scoutmaster is responsible for seeing that the skills and progress meet troop standards, but the authority to sign-off requirements can be delegated to other troop members.
Troop meetings and campouts, including planning for these events, are run by the Scouts with the advice of adult leaders. The patrol leaders council (PLC) meets monthly for planning and the Scoutmaster is responsible for overseeing the PLC.
Adult leaders are a resource to the Scouts for planning and carrying out the troop program. Their primary responsibility is to provide guidance. Scouts run the program and develop skills to make decisions themselves.
Any Scout may work on merit badges. A wide variety of interests are covered and are outlined in the BSA Handbook. Specific merit badges are required for advancement after First Class.
Some merit badges are offered through the troop and adults associated with the troop may serve as counselors. Additional opportunities are also available through Lake Erie Council and other local organizations. Most Scouts earn merit badges at summer camp.
Upcoming opportunities to earn merit badges are included in the troop’s monthly newsletter.
Learn more from BSA about merit badges.
A patrol is a group of Scouts in a troop who are similar in age, development and interests. The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in a small group, working together as a team and sharing the responsibility of creating success.
A Senior Patrol Leader (SPL, the top youth leader) runs the troop and its patrols. The members of each patrol elect one of their own to serve as patrol leader. Most troops elect patrol leaders twice a year, to provide ample opportunity for leadership.
Patrol size depends upon a troop’s enrollment and the needs of its members. An ideal patrol size is eight scouts.
New Scout Patrols are for 11-year-old Scouts who have recently joined the troop and are together for the first year. An older, experienced scout often is assigned as a troop guide to help the patrol through the challenges of troop membership. An Assistant Scoutmaster should also assist the patrol to ensure that each Scout has every opportunity to succeed right from the start.
Regular Patrols are made up of Scouts who have completed or near completing their First Class requirements. They have been around Scouting long enough to be comfortable with the patrol and troop operation and are well-versed in camping, cooking, and Scouting’s other basic skills.
Senior Patrol is an optional patrol within the troop made up of Scouts age 13 and older. These troop members have the maturity and experience to take part in more challenging high-adventure outings. They elect a patrol leader, who works with an Assistant Scoutmaster to put the patrol’s plans into action.