• Meets every Monday evening from 7:30 to 9:00 throughout the entire year (unless Fairfax County Public Schools or Fairfax United Methodist Church are closed).
• Is a Scout-led troop; programs are planned and executed by the Scouts themselves, with the support and supervision of trained adult leaders.
• Recognizes the achievements of the Scouts at quarterly Courts of Honor.
• Schedules its Troop Committee meetings for the first Monday of the month during the Troop meeting, to make it easier for parents to attend.
• Provides parents with a parent handbook and an annual calendar of events. These and other publications are also available here on the Troop website, www.bsatroop187.org.
• Is funded by annual dues and a minimum of fundraisers, such as a annual peanut sales, popcorn sales, and seasonal wreath sales.
A Typical Troop Meeting:
• Scouts gather during a Pre-Opening activity and get ready for the meeting.
• The Senior Patrol Leader leads an Opening Ceremony that typically includes a Flag Ceremony, the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.
• Scouts in leadership positions, at times assisted by adult leaders, present Skills Instruction, planned by the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) to meet the advancement needs and/or interests of new Scouts, experienced Scouts, and older Scouts.
• The Patrols meet to plan activities, prepare for upcoming camping trips, receive information from the Patrol Leader regarding topics discussed at the last PLC meeting, and give the Patrol Leader input to report at the next PLC meeting.
• An Interpatrol Activity, most often a game, enables Scouts to practice skills and to engage in healthy competition with the other Patrols.
• Scouts and adults gather in a circle for the Closing Ceremony and Scoutmaster’s Minute.
