WHAT WE DO
Troop 624 is a very active troop! In addition to our
regularly scheduled meetings, we have many outings each year. There are two
reasons for this activity. First, is to have fun - everything we do in the troop
is designed to have fun as well as to learn. Second, Robert Stevenson Smythe
Baden-Powell, Lord of Gilwell, the founder of Scouting, designed the program
around the out-of-doors. He felt that boys benefited from learning woodland
skills and experiencing all that nature has to offer.
Some of our activities are District or Council events
and some are troop events. Several happen at the
same time each year or, at
least, in the same month. Others occur based on the decisions of the Patrol
Leaders Council representing the enrolled Scouts. The following is a list of
some of the activities we do each year and when they usually occur.
Camporees
These are competition camping events where troops compete with each other in
specific skill areas such as pioneering, orienteering, camping, and the like.
They occur in the fall and spring usually around October and April. Camporees
are District events.
Summer Camp
Each year, during the week of the July 4, the troop goes to
Sinoquipe (pronounced sin-oh-qwipee) which is an Algonquin word for
"builder of men". We attend camp for three reasons: (1) to
commemorate Lord Baden-Powell's initial camp during which he tested his
fledgling Scouting program at Brown Sea Isle; (2) to
have
fun; and, (3) for
advancement. Troop 624 traditionally wins all of the Sinoquipe honors during
its week at camp. Summer camp costs $215 for each Scout. The troop pays the
fee for each accompanying adult leader. All new Scouts are encouraged to
go to camp during their first summer after joining the troop. The week gives
them the opportunity to advance from Scout to Tenderfoot or Second Class and
gets them off to a super beginning in their Scouting adventure.
The Troop established the Downs Fund as a camp
scholarship fund in remembrance of Jim Downs, who died while serving as our
Chairman of Finance. His sons, Mark and Brian Downs, are Troop 624 Eagles. If
your Scout needs a scholarship to attend
Sinoquipe, please do not hesitate to
contact the Scoutmaster or Troop Committee Chairman.
The National Good Turn
The Scout Motto is Do a good turn daily. Each year at Thanksgiving Troop 624
Scouts join over 2,000,000 brother Scouts across America in collecting
non-perishable foodstuffs for the needy. The National Capital Area Council has
been a leader in that activity. As the largest Boy Scout Council in America,
it is only reasonable that NCAC troops lead the way in the National Good Turn
and Troop 624 is right out front in that effort!
Troop Day, Our Anniversary
Troop 624 was first chartered in 1949! In September we celebrate this
anniversary with a big dinner and reunion for former troop members and
especially our 53 Eagle Scouts. You will receive more information, as it
becomes available.
The Annual Pancake
Breakfast
Each February during Scout Week, Troop 624 holds its pancake breakfast.
This is a major fund-raiser for the troop.
Together with Cub Pack 624, the Scouts sell tickets to the breakfast, greet
and serve the participants and clean up afterwards. The adult leaders handle
the cooking. It's a wonderful time with lots of good food!
Popcorn Sales
Operating Troop 624 costs money! So the Troop Committee has been
working to expand our fundraising activities. We began selling
popcorn in the Arlington community. Each patrol is responsible for selling
their allotment of popcorn products. The best salesman receives a gift from
the troop. We also sell
mulch in the Spring.
Leaf Raking
Another fund-raiser is conducted often during the distribution of the National
Good Turn food collection bags. Scouts rake the fallen autumn leaves around
the neighborhood and pile them at the curb for the leaf removal vehicles to
take them away. If you have a lot of trees and a lot of leaves, please reserve
your own private leaf rakers and make a contribution for their efforts. A
"normal" sized lawn usually is raked for about $40.
Other Events
Throughout the year the troop participates in other events. We do a lot of
hiking and camping. Sometimes we take field trips to monuments, civic
buildings, King's Dominion and other places. Our Scouts even laid a wreath at
the Tomb of the Unknowns! These activities are planned by the Patrol Leaders
Council and the Scoutmaster Staff. If you have an idea for a fun trip or
outing be sure to bring it up to the Troop Committee or one of the Scoutmaster
Staff!
HOW WE DO THINGS
Troop 624 was chartered in September 1949 by St. Ann
Parish in full compliance with all of the requirements set forth by the Boy
Scouts of America, a Congressional corporation, established in 1910. The troop
is located in the Chain Bridge District of the National Capital Area Council and
has been serving the Arlington Community for half a century. To date, the troop
has generated 53 Eagle Scouts making us one of the more active and successful
troops in the Council. The troop maintains an excellent working relationship
with the parish through the good work of the Chartering Organization
Representative, the senior parish priest, who serves as a member of the Troop
Committee and monitors the Committee's work.
The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America is to provide
quality leadership for our nation. This means that the lessons learned by the
Scouts through their advancement, working together in patrols and community
service is intended to prepare them for their roles as America's leaders in
years to come.
The guiding precepts of the troop are the Boy Scout
Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan. Each Scout is expected to live by the standards.
Each Scout learns these early in his advancement and is expected to be able to
articulate them at any time when asked and definitely at each Board of Review in
his advancement.
Troop operations are based on the concept that the
Scouts run the troop. This is done using the patrol method which is a group of 8
to 10 Scouts, led by the Patrol Leader and his assistant. New Scouts are
assigned to a patrol. Together they do what is necessary on outings and in
meetings to enliven the program. The Patrol Leaders Council is comprised of the
Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Guide and Patrol
Leaders. Together with the Scoutmaster in attendance they establish the program
for the troop. The enrolled Scouts elect all officers of the troop annually,
usually in September. The Senior Patrol Leader is elected with the concurrence
of the Scoutmaster.
Adult leaders are elected and confirmed by the Troop
Committee. The leaders include the Scoutmaster Staff comprised of the
Scoutmaster and the Assistant Scoutmasters. Additionally, the Troop Committee is
made up of registered parents and other interested adults. All must be
registered with the Boy Scouts of America. The Scoutmaster Staff is responsible
for seeing that the troop operates smoothly on a daily basis. The Troop
Committee ensures the permanency of the troop. Working closely with the
Scoutmaster Staff, it is responsible for ensuring adherence to the official Boy
Scout Program, overseeing operations, supporting the Scoutmaster Staff,
supporting the annual program, maintaining financial integrity, conducting the
Boards of Review and resolving any difficulties that may surface.
| 