FAQs

QUESTIONS:
When does your Troop meet?
Where does your Troop meet?
What is your meeting cancellation policy?
Where can I buy official Boy Scout uniform, handbook and gear?
How old does my son have to be in order to join the Boy Scouts?
Do parents have to attend Troop meetings?
What should my son be prepared for at Troop meetings?
How does my son find out about earning merit badges?
Where do I put all those merit badges and other insignia on his uniform?
Can my son bring his cell phone and i-Pod to meetings or on trips?
My son is attending Summer camp for the first time and would like to know what he should pack?
My son takes medication, how is this handled?
What qualifications do the adult leaders have to run and supervise a BSA Troop?
Are there any forms that I will need to complete to join or to attend camping trips?
Are there any Summer Camp scholarship programs for Scouts who are financially disadvantaged?
Is my son insured while on troop events & trips?
What should my son do if he is having trouble with other boys in the Troop and needs help to address this problem?

ANSWERS:

When does your Troop meet?
We meet year round every Tuesday from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Where does your Troop meet?
We meet at the Plymouth Building, which is part of the First United Church of Christ located at 18 West Main Street; Milford, CT 06460.
What is your meeting cancellation policy?
During the school year, if school is closed there is no meeting. All other time of the year, if a meeting has to be canceled we will use the Troop Phone Tree to cancel or change meetings.
Where can I buy official Boy Scout uniform, handbook and gear?
All BSA material can be purchased at the Scout Store located at BSA Council Headquarters located at 60 Wellington Road; Milford CT 06461.
How old does my son have to be in order to join the Boy Scouts?
He must be 11 years of age or have earned the Arrow of Light from his Webelos Den.
Do parents have to attend Troop meetings?
No, we have many well trained adult leaders that will work with your son. However, you are more than welcome to stay and watch and/or join in the fun. Also, we are always on the look out for new faces to join our leadership team. Just ask any leader about joining.
What should my son be prepared for at Troop meetings?
Your Scout should wear the required uniform of the day, which is either a “Class-A” (Scout Shirt, Neckerchief, Pants) or “Class-B” (official Troop #1 Red T-Shirt), bring his Scout Handbook, a Pad & Pen and/or any merit badge books/material he is working on.
How does my son find out about earning merit badges?
Your Scout should see the Troop Advancement Chairman or Scoutmaster about joining current merit badge classes being offered or to arrange for a merit badge councilor. NOTE: Please do not begin working on merit badges on your own.
Where do I put all those merit badges and other insignia on his uniform?
Click here for a guide to the official placement of insignia on the uniform.
Can my son bring his cell phone and i-Pod to meetings or on trips?
NO! It is a Troop #1 policy that all cell phone, i-pods or any handheld electronic device be left at home. If discovered, they will be confiscated and returned at the end of the trip. If your Scout needs to call home, he can ask one of the adult leaders for help.
My son is attending Summer camp for the first time and would like to know what he should pack?
Plan to bring the appropriate clothing for the season and for the number of days he will be away. Some suggestions are as follows:

  • Mess kit & Knife/Fork/Spoon
  • Personal Hygiene material (soap, tooth paste, comb, etc.)
  • Good outdoor hiking boots, sneakers, and/or water shoes.
  • Swim trunks (seasonal)
  • Wrist watch
  • Scout handbook
  • Scout uniform (Class-A and Class-B)
  • Pad & Pen\
  • Towel
  • Sleeping bag
  • Pillow (optional)
  • Flashlight
  • Personal medication (if any). NOTE: Please contact Scout leaders to review.
  • a book to read
  • Binoculars (optional)
  • Some spending money (no more than $20)

If you have additional questions, just ask one of our Troop #1 Scout Leaders

My son takes medication, how is this handled?
All prescription and over the counter medication (including pain relievers) must be stored and dispensed by either a designated Troop #1 Adult Leader or BSA First Aid Station staff. In addition, parents must provide written instructions and procedures relating to the medication in question.
What qualifications do the adult leaders have to run and supervise a BSA Troop?
All Troop #1 Adult Leaders are fully trained by the BSA in all aspects of Scouting Safety, including:

  • Youth Protection.
  • Scout Leader FAST START Training.
  • Severe Weather Hazard Training.
  • Safe Trek.
  • Climb On Safety.
  • Safe Swim/Afloat.

There are also intensive training programs for all Scoutmasters and Asst. Scoutmasters, such as Mountain Man and Wood Badge.

Are there any forms that I will need to complete to join or to attend camping trips?
YES. Please see some of the most commonly needed forms listed below. These are also located on our Troop #1 web site Forms page for your convenience:

  • New Scouts – need to complete a BSA Registration form and pay the annual fee.
  • Transfer Scouts – Scouts joining the troop who are already part of another troop must complete the “Transfer” section (only) of the BSA Registration form and pay any fees if needed.
  • Trips & Events – All trips require a Troop #1 Permission Slip to be completed and signed by a parent or guardian.. In addition, Summer camp programs require a current Physical Examination signed by your doctor, plus all Scouts must complete and pass a BSA certified Swimming Test if they plan on participating in any water related activities.
Are there any Summer Camp scholarship programs for Scouts who are financially disadvantaged?
YES. Both the BSA CT Yankee Council and Troop #1 provide financial assistance to any Scout who qualifies. All scholarship requests are treated as strictly confidential. Please see Troop #1 Committee Chairman or Scoutmaster to arrange for a meeting.
Is my son insured while on troop events & trips?
YES. All Scouts who are currently registered with the BSA in good standing, are covered under the BSA policy. Please see our Troop Committee Chairman or Scoutmaster for further details.
What should my son do if he is having trouble with other boys in the Troop and needs help to address this problem?
The BSA and Troop #1 strive to make sure your sons experience is Scouting is both positive and rewarding. However, we do understand that there can be issues among boys and any bullying is treated with a Zero Tolerance policy. Please contact our Troop Committee Chairman or Scoutmaster to arrange for a conference to discuss the problem and resolution.