About Troop 720

General Information

Boy Led

• Elected troop leaders: Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant SPL, Scribe, Librarian, Historian, Quartermaster, Troop Guide, Instructor, Troop OA Representative, etc.
• Patrol Method: Boys placed in patrols of about 8-10. Boys elect their own Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader.
• Meetings: Boys run the weekly meetings: opening, planning, skill, game, and closing.
• Patrol Leaders Council (PLC): The boy leaders who form the Patrol Leaders' Council (SPL, ASPL and PLs) plan the yearly troop program at the annual troop program planning conference. The PLC then meets monthly to fine-tune the plans for the upcoming month.
• Boys camp together. Patrols plan menus, set-up campsite, cook by patrol, sleep in tents.

Camping

• We camp 10-11 months of the year. Sample trip types each year: touring military bases and historic battlegrounds; canoeing and kayaking on lakes and rivers; hiking and/or backpacking in the mountains; participating in District Camporees; biking; skiing; indoor climbing centers; conservation projects on land & water and many community service opportunities..
• Summer camp: We typically alternate between HOVC’s Camp T. Brady Saunders and an out of Council camp that the Scouts research and vote on. 
• Special trips may occur for older boys: Philmont, Florida Sea Base, high-adventure trips
• Campouts usually cost $25 - $50 per person to cover food, travel and activity fees. Bigger trips will cost more. Fundraising profits above target goals for the annual budget are often used to subsidize the costs of various activities.
• Boys need certain gear for camping: sleeping bag/pad, mess kit, hiking boots, water bottle, small day pack, synthetic clothing, rain gear, etc.  A detailed list is provided to new scouts upon joining, and some gear lists are available in the Scouts BSA handbook. The Troop provides the items used by all of the Scouts such as tents, chuck boxes and cooking apparatus, tarps, canopies, etc. 
• Order of the Arrow (OA): Eligible scouts are nominated by Scoutmaster, elected by peers.

Advancement

• Boys advance in rank by demonstrating Scout Spirit and skills; completing requirements; active participation in the troop (attending meetings & outings); serving in leadership positions; participating in community service; and earning Eagle-required and elective Merit Badges
• A Scoutmaster Conference is held to confirm the boy has satisfied the Rank requirements.
• A Board of Review is held with three Committee members to discuss troop matters with the Scout and pass final confirmation.
• Advancement documentation is presented during the quarterly Courts of Honor.

Expectations of Scouts

• Regular participation in troop meetings, activities, camping, service projects, fundraisers. 
• Have proper Scout Spirit - according to the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.
• Wear field uniform (“Class A”) at meetings, during travel to/from destinations, and at other designated times: Scout shirt (with properly placed insignia), neckerchief, Scout pants/shorts, Scout socks, Scout belt and Scout handbook. 
• Pay dues to support the Troop's annual budget:  To "help pay their own way", Scouts are encouraged to help raise funds for the Troop through annual fundraisers. Scouts who do not want to participate in fundraising activities to support the Troop's budget agree to pay their share of the per-scout budgeting baseline.. 

Requirements of Adults

• Scouting America requires all registered adult volunteers to take Safeguarding Youth Training (available online).   The training is valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually.
• Adults are required to register with Scouting America in Troop 720 if they want to go camping with the Scouts. 
• Attend Adult Leader meetings and Troop Committee meetings.
• Need adults to serve on Troop Committee: Committee Chair, Committee Member, Fundraising, Treasurer, Advancement Chairperson, Board of Review Coordinator, etc.  (Troop Committee training is online)
• Need adults to serve as Merit Badge Counselors.  Registering as a MBC for specific badges and completing the training are required.
• Assistant Scoutmasters are required to take position-specific training courses:: Scoutmaster Specific (online or in-person) and Intro to Outdoor Leader Skills (S11 - IOLS/Outdoor; offered in-person only).

How to Join

• Meet the joining requirements: Youth can join Scouts BSA if they are at least 10 years old, currently in the fifth grade and register on or after March 1st; OR have earned the Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old, OR are age 11 but have not reached age 18. 
• Turn in a new or transfer application, current medical form (Parts ABC and insurance card) and joining fees (above) to Troop 720.
• Get your uniform:  Parents buy a Scouts BSA uniform shirt, pants, socks, belt, World Crest emblem and council strip at the Scout Shop.  Provided in the New Scout Kit: Troop 720 numerals & green shoulder loops for your shirt, a Troop neckerchief with slide, a Troop t-shirt and your Scouts BSA Handbook.

  v. 2026Aug