Scouts

BOY SCOUTS

TROOP

Boy Scouts is a youth program designed for young men from the age of 11 (or graduated from the 5th grade) up to the age of 18. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) provides opportunities for adventure, friendship, fellowship, and success through rank achievements, culminating with the Eagle Scout rank.

Contacts
Robert Macklem • Scoutmaster • rmacklem@gmail.com
Jeff Prosser • Committee Chairman • Prosser246@yahoo.com

Volunteers
Scouts BSA Troop 949, chartered by St. Patrick Church, can't succeed without dedicated adult leaders! Complete an adult application and youth protection training and join your son in the adventures of Scouting! Troop 949 is in need of Scoutmasters, Committee Members, Merit Badge Counselors, and parent volunteers to support outings, events, and service projects. A variety of adult training is available to help you be part of the program. Being a "Scouter" is a rewarding, life-enriching experience and a great way to spend quality time with the boys! For info, contact Robert Macklem, Scoutmaster, rmacklem@gmail.com or Jeff Prosser, Committee Chair, at Prosser246@yahoo.com.

History
BSA Troop 949 was founded as an outgrowth of Cub Scout Pack 949 and first chartered to St. Patrick Catholic Church in January 2009. From our first small group of one Patrol having six Scouts, the Troop has grown, currently having three Patrols and approximately 15 Scouts in all.

Purpose
The purpose of Troop 949 is to have fun, while fostering the values exemplified in the Scout Oath and Scout Law, and to allow the young men of our Troop to develop themselves with a commitment to God, to others, and to himself. In the words of the BSA mission statement,

“The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.”

Methodology
Troop 949 employs the traditional “Patrol Scout” troop structure. Each Patrol acts as a self-maintained unit, employing the developing youth leadership. Each Patrol is staffed with several experienced Scouts, whose job it is to help pass on Scouting skills to the newer Scouts. As the newer Scouts move up in rank and experience, they take their place in Patrol leadership, while the older Scout move on to the Senior Patrol, and the responsibilities of Troop leadership.

Program
Troop meetings are held twice a month, covering upcoming events such as camping, outings, and hikes. Meetings also cover requirements for rank advancements and merit badge advancements. Troop 949 puts the “outing in Scouting”, by planning 6 to 8 camping events each year, including Troop campouts during every season of the year, District weekend campouts, and a one-week long Summer Camp. Camping is a great way for Scouts to explore leadership, build skills, and develop a deep appreciation for nature. Although attendance is not mandatory for each and every meeting, campout, or event, any missed opportunity will mean that your Scout probably has to “make-up” some of the rank advancement requirements that were covered.

Expenses
In order to fiscally plan for your year of Scout fun and adventure, you can expect these projected costs:

Troop Dues - The Troop Committee sets the yearly dues, currently $120 per Scout. The dues, along with Troop fundraisers, are the main source of Troop funds, used to cover unit equipment, patches and awards, Scout and Scouter training, and the yearly GSLAC re-charter fee.
Campouts – each Patrol plans menus and food lists for each weekend campout and buys their own groceries. Food costs depend on what the Patrol decides to eat. We try to keep costs reasonable and it usually runs around $20 per person for a weekend campout. Some camping facilities also charge a small fee, one to two dollars per person, per night.
Summer Camp - Summer camp is where area Scouts gather once a year to make lifelong friends and memories while experiencing the great outdoors and developing valuable, lasting skills. Troop 949 attends a week-long summer camp on an annual basis. If the Troop decides to attend a camp in the Greater St. Louis Area Council, the camp costs are set by GSLAC, which are currently $320. Scouts also have the option of attending an out-of-council camp.
Uniform - a uniform shirt is required and can be purchased new through the Scout Shop online or visit BSA Outfitters,13347 Manchester Rd., Des Peres, MO. You may also acquire a used uniform. Scouts will also need olive-colored shorts. BSA scout socks and a BSA belt are recommended in order to have a complete uniform. Troop 949 has a few shirts and shorts for use.

*The National membership fee is

$80 for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts participants
$60 for all adult volunteers (includes cost of background check)
$75 for a unit charter fee

The membership fees will take effect August 1, 2023, for the 2023-2024 program year.

The one-time $25 joining fee for new program participants in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts is still required; however, there is no joining fee for Exploring participants, participants previously registered in any BSA program, those transferring from one program to another, council-paid memberships, or adult volunteers.

* The National fee and one-time joining fee are included in the troop dues.

Fundraisers
Troop 949 plans and participates in several fundraisers each year. We encourage participation in Troop fundraising activities.

Links
Advancement and Awards
Merit Badge Information
Merit Badge Counselor Directory
Boy Scouts of America
Greater St. Louis Area Council
Boone Trails District
BSA Outfitters Scout Shop
National Catholic Committee on Scouting
National Eagle Scout Association
OA Shawnee Lodge #51

CUB SCOUTS

PACK

Cub Scouting is a family-oriented program designed for boys Kindergarten through 5th grade. The purpose of the program is to have fun while helping the boys develop character, their association with the community at large, and their spiritual awareness.

Mike Dierenfeldt • Cubmaster • 816-262-8616 • mbd_13@hotmail.com

Boys are divided into dens based on grade level or age. Each Den is led by adult volunteers, mostly parents of Cubs. Each den has the ultimate goal to earn a rank in Cub Scouts; activities are directed to accomplish these advancements.

Kindergartners work toward Lion; 1st graders work toward Tiger; 2nd graders work toward Wolf; 3rd graders work toward Bear, and; 4th and 5th graders work to work toward Webelos and the Arrow of Light. A boy can join scouting at any level.

First graders, and anyone beyond that grade who is new to Cub Scouting, completes the Bobcat Badge prior to working on their grade-specific badge of rank. Kindergartners, who are Lions, do not work on the Bobcat Badge.

There are specific Catholic religious emblem award programs presented in the Pack through the Catholic Committee on Scouting: Parvuli Dei and Light of Christ.

Dens can meet at different times and places based on the families involved.

Each month, the Pack, as a whole, has a variety of activities, either at St. Patrick Church or at other venues. These activities are varied, such as a Halloween party, a visit to the fire station, Pinewood Derby races, campouts, and Cardinals games, just to name a few. During the summer, den activities slow down, but camping opportunities arise.

During the year, the boys and parents are given opportunities to participate in fundraisers in which the scouts can earn money to pay for the program, including their cost of summer camps. Scholarships are available through the Family Friends of Scouting (Investment in Character Program) and the Pack, for boys in need of financial assistance.

All leaders are position-specific trained and youth protection trained.

Links
Cub Scout Information
Greater St. Louis Area Council
Boone Trails District
BSA Outfitters Scout Shop
National Catholic Committee on Scouting

GIRL SCOUTS

For over 100 years, the Girl Scouts program has focused on building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Troops are led by parent volunteers and they generally meet monthly at St. Patrick, as well as participate in other activities outside the school.

TROOP 1166
Seniors & Ambassadors (High School)
Meets second and fourth Mondays
St. Patrick Rectory Meeting Room
Gigi Krumlinde • 636-497-5945

TROOP 1600
Daisy
Katie Coots • kcoots8@gmail.com