Dear Parents of Prospective Troop 63 Scouts:   

Thank you for encouraging your sons in Scouting.  Whether your son is crossing over from Webelos or brand new to Scouts, Troop 63 has something to offer a boy looking for adventure, camaraderie, and leadership.    

Troop 63 was established in 1964 and is chartered by Francis Asbury United Methodist Church, in the Great Neck area of Virginia Beach.  We currently have 50 boys registered, a size around which the troop has fluctuated for the past 4-5 years dependent on numbers of new Scouts joining and older Scouts “graduating.”  The troop is comprised of four patrols plus one or two “New Scout” patrols for groups of Scouts joining the Troop upon crossover from Webelos.  The patrol method within Troop 63 maximizes opportunity for boys to grow and experience leadership. 

Some specifics regarding Troop 63: 

• Meetings:  Meetings are held each Monday night from 7:30 to 9:00 pm in the Social Hall at Francis Asbury United Methodist Church, with the exception of a few weeks in summer and holiday breaks aligned to Virginia Beach Public Schools.  Meetings include an opportunity for the boys to plan for their next campout, conduct training associated with outdoor skills and other topics, participate in a game, and some time to socialize.  All meetings are planned and run by the Senior Patrol Leader with the assistance of his two Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders and the Patrol Leaders.  Meetings are optional dependent on a Scout’s other commitments.  The philosophy of the troop is to provide as much opportunity as possible for each boy to participate, the rest is up to the boy’s level of interest and available time.   

• Campouts/Events:  The troop holds some type of campout or other weekend event each month.  These trips run the gamut from high adventure, such as backpacking and whitewater rafting, to traditional camping at established Boy Scout camps and other campgrounds.  Service projects are also conducted, either separately or as part of a weekend event.  Scouts are responsible for bringing tents and personal gear; most other equipment (stoves, patrol gear, tools, etc.) is owned and provided by the troop.  Each summer the troop participates in a week long summer camp, normally over the week of July 4^th to facilitate more participation by adults during a shortened work week. 

• Boy Leaders:  Troop 63 strives to maintain the philosophy of a “boy-run” troop.  Boys elect their own leaders, select and plan their outings, and run their own meetings, under the guidance of the Scoutmaster and other adult leaders.  The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is responsible to the Scoutmaster for the Troop, and likewise the Patrol Leaders are responsible to the SPL for their patrols.  Older Scouts are expected to lead and train younger Scouts, and in doing so often learn as much or more as those they are leading.

• Advancements:  Advancement through the ranks in Scouting is a personal choice for each Scout.  Troop 63 does not operate with any set time table for advancement.  The frequency and variety of events planned by the troop normally provides an active Scout ample opportunity to fulfill advancement requirements.   Troop 63 has a great tradition of boys continuing on to Scout’s highest rank; the troop promoted it’s 100^th Eagle in 2008.  Three times a year – late Spring, early Fall, and just before Christmas break – the troop holds a Court of Honor to recognize advancements and other awards the Scouts have earned throughout the year.  All family members are encouraged to attend Courts of Honor, which normally includes a dinner or dessert and always includes an opportunity for families to socialize.   

• Uniforms:  The uniform is part of what sets Scouts apart from other youth organizations and serves to identify and unify the troop.  Troop 63 requires a Class A uniform (Scout shirt, pants, socks, neckerchief, hat) for troop meetings and for travel to weekend events, with the exception of some special events or meetings.  In the summer months the troop transitions to their “Class B” (Blue Troop 63 t-shirt instead of Scout Shirt). 

• Dues:  Troop dues are $200 per year.  Scouts are able to defray the cost of dues by participating in a once a year fundraiser (popcorn sales).  Dues covers all troop events, with the exception of summer camp and certain higher cost specialty events like ski trips.  Dues are also used to purchase, upgrade and maintain all of the outdoor gear owned by the troop. 

• Parent Involvement:  Parents, we need and welcome your help in participating in troop activities and in guiding our Scouts.  Troop 63 encourages each parent complete an adult leader application and offer up your time and talents.  It takes a lot of work to deliver a high quality program to our youth, but individually not much effort when we all pitch in together.  Each of you has skills you can pass on to our boys and to help oversee the Troop, whether as an Assistant Scoutmaster, a member of the Troop Committee, or as a merit badge counselor.  Training is available for each position. We’re certain you’ll also enjoy meeting and getting to know the other parents and adult leaders participating in activities with the Troop. 

Please do not hesitate to contact the Scoutmaster or Committee Chairman if you have any questions we can help answer.  Additional information is available through the troop website, www.troop63capehenry.com.  Boys considering Troop 63 are also welcome to stop by at a Monday night meeting to talk to the Senior Patrol Leader or other boys in the Troop.  We look forward to welcoming you and your son into Boy Scouts and hope he considers joining Troop 63. 

Sincerely,