Troop 34 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1.  What is Troop 34?

Troop 34 was chartered in 1921; it is the oldest continuously chartered troop in Illinois .  Troop 34 has had over 50 Eagle Scouts over the years, and prides itself on being a boy-run troop.  Its scouts come from St. Michael, Whittier , Lowell , Monroe , Edison , Briar Glen, Wheaton-Warrenville South HS, Wheaton North HS, St Francis, and other Wheaton and Warrenville schools.  It is a “mid-size” troop, with approximately 55 scouts, from 11 years old to 18 years old.

2.  What is the troop’s schedule and calendar?

Regular (school year) meetings are at St. Michael School in Wheaton on Tuesday evenings, 7:00-8:30PM .  Typical meeting happenings are announcements, advancement activities, patrol meetings, and a game.  Summer meetings are outside at Seven Gables Park .

The troop also has outings once a month, September through May.  Outing activities include backpacking, climbing, caving, canoeing; most are within a three hour drive of Wheaton , and many are in local forest preserves.   Scouts are strongly encouraged to attend outings, where they are introduced to camping and cooking (even cleaning-up!).  Most outing equipment (tents, cooking gear) is provided by the troop; scouts bring weather-appropriate clothing, eating utensils, and personal gear.

3.  What activities does the troop participate in during the summer?

One of the most memorable things for a scout is summer camp.  In recent years the troop has been going to Camp Freeland-Leslie, owned by Three Fires Council, in Oxford , Wisconsin . Summer camp is a great place to earn merit badges; most scouts average two or three merit badges during the week. 

“High Adventure” activities are designed for scouts 14 and older or entering high school.  They are purposely more physically and mentally challenging activities, like backpacking or canoeing 50 miles or more over a period of ten to fourteen days.  High Adventure is why many of the older scouts stay with the troop. In 2003 the troop went to Charles Sommers National High Adventure Base near Ely , Minnesota , and canoed in the wilderness of the adjacent Quetico Provincial Park .  Troop 34 is sending crews to Philmont Scout Ranch ( New Mexico ) for backpacking and Florida National Sea Base for sailing in 2004.

4.  What’s “Boy Run”?

Scouts are organized into patrols, which are similar to Cub Scout dens but led by a scout called a Patrol Leader.   Patrols usually have eight to ten scouts.  Scouts get many opportunities to learn leadership skills in roles as Patrol Leaders, Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Guides, Instructor, Scribes, etc.  Scout leaders run meetings and outings, while the adult leaders coach and enforce safety rules.

5.  How important is attendance?

Attendance at meetings or outings is not mandatory but is highly recommended.  Boys will be involved in other activities like sports and music, but we encourage them to stay in touch and come back after the season or event ends. Continued engagement by scouts will greatly accelerate their advancement and foster their continued interest, especially as they get older.

6.  What’s the typical experience for new scouts?

New Scouts usually start Boy Scouts in December through March when they crossover from Cub Scouts, though any boy between 11 and 17 years is welcome to join.  The new scouts work on the “First Class Trail”; these are scout skills like camping, cooking, knots, and first aid that make up the requirements for the Scout, Tenderfoot, 2^nd Class, and 1^st Class ranks.   We strongly encourage new scouts to attend meetings and outings to get a good start at scouting, especially if they’re planning on attending summer camp. 

New scouts are placed in one or more New Scout Patrols while they work on these ranks.  The New Scout Patrols are led by a Troop Guide, usually an older scout, who acts as their patrol leader and instructor.  New scouts are integrated into the regular patrols in September or October.

7.  What are the older scouts up to?

Older scouts are working on the requirements for the ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle.  The emphasis for these more mature scouts is on merit badges, leadership, and service projects.  The troop conducts various merit badge programs during the year; we have our own group of merit badge counselors for most Eagle-required merit badges.  Scouts aged 11 to18 are integrated in the same patrols; the younger scouts learn from the older scouts.

8.  What are the costs associated with Boy Scouts?

Troop 34 is self-supporting.   It is not subsidized by any St. Michaels organization, and does not receive funding from outside organizations like the United Way .  To pay for all the costs associated with its operations, Troop 34 requires an annual $50 dues payment plus a fundraising obligation of $75, for a total of $125.  Scouts can meet the fundraising obligation by participating in troop fundraising activities. The troop holds holiday wreath sales, popcorn sales, and carwashes as fundraisers.  The scouts are encouraged to earn their way through scouting; it gives them a sense of responsibility and ownership.  The scout’s share of fundraising profit goes into a “camp fund” account, which can be used to pay for outings or buy camping equipment.  A typical year of outings and summer camp costs about $300, which most of our scouts earn themselves.  High Adventure trips to Philmont can cost $600 or more due to their extended length and transportation costs.

9. How can parents get involved?

Troop 34 has a great group of adult volunteers, but we always need more.  Many are needed to support the program:

• Scouters to work on the Boy Scout program;
• Troop Committee positions, like chair, treasurer, fundraising, communications, etc.;
• Adults to drive on outings – adults are actively encouraged to participate on outings.

Volunteering in Boy Scouts may be the best way for a parent to take an active part in a son’s growth; he’ll start as an 11 year old boy, and end as an 18 year old young man.

10. How can I join Troop 34?

Send an email to chair@wheatontroop34.org, or stop by one of our meetings.

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