General Information:
Boys may join Boy Scouts of America as a continuation of their Boy Scout trail from Cub Scouts - this is where the majority of Boy Scouts come from. But, the age of 11 is a great time for a new boy to begin Scouting!
The Boy Scout program is a big change from Cub Scouting! The biggest change being that it is boy led instead of adult led. If you have boys graduating from Webelos and joining a Boy Scout Troop, challenge them to invite at least one non-scouting friend to join them. Since 3/4 of Scouting is 'outing', boys that didn't care for the crafts and projects of Cub Scouts may be interested in camping, hiking, and the outdoors that Boy Scouts offers.
Boy Scouts is for boys aged 11 through 17. When the 18th birthday is reached, he can no longer be a Boy Scout, but he can continue to support a Troop in an adult leader role. As a Scout grows in skill, he takes on responsibility and moves from being a learner to being a leader.
The Boy Scout program has a Boy Scouts of America Organizational Structure that puts boys into groups called patrols with recommended size of from 6 to 8 scouts. Patrols of boys in a community form a Troop which is part of a district. Districts combine to make a council.
A new boy first earns the Scout rank showing that he has joined and is participating in the program. As he enjoys outings with his patrol and demonstrates his expanding skill base, he naturally gains the Tenderfoot rank, followed by 2nd Class and 1st Class ranks. At this point, a Scout has learned skills enough to handle himself in the outdoors and begin teaching new scouts. Once a 1st Class rank is reached, the Scout continues his trail by performing service deeds and earning merit badges in topics that interest him or that he has decided to explore to reach a higher rank.
The Boy Scout program is a big change from Cub Scouting! The biggest change being that it is boy led instead of adult led. If you have boys graduating from Webelos and joining a Boy Scout Troop, challenge them to invite at least one non-scouting friend to join them. Since 3/4 of Scouting is 'outing', boys that didn't care for the crafts and projects of Cub Scouts may be interested in camping, hiking, and the outdoors that Boy Scouts offers.
Boy Scouts is for boys aged 11 through 17. When the 18th birthday is reached, he can no longer be a Boy Scout, but he can continue to support a Troop in an adult leader role. As a Scout grows in skill, he takes on responsibility and moves from being a learner to being a leader.
The Boy Scout program has a Boy Scouts of America Organizational Structure that puts boys into groups called patrols with recommended size of from 6 to 8 scouts. Patrols of boys in a community form a Troop which is part of a district. Districts combine to make a council.
A new boy first earns the Scout rank showing that he has joined and is participating in the program. As he enjoys outings with his patrol and demonstrates his expanding skill base, he naturally gains the Tenderfoot rank, followed by 2nd Class and 1st Class ranks. At this point, a Scout has learned skills enough to handle himself in the outdoors and begin teaching new scouts. Once a 1st Class rank is reached, the Scout continues his trail by performing service deeds and earning merit badges in topics that interest him or that he has decided to explore to reach a higher rank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)?
What is the cost of joining a BSA Troop?
One time registration fee is $15.00. Boy's Life Magazine is optional at $12.00 per year. Other costs vary depending upon the activities of our Troop. The Scout uniform is recommended but not required.
Who Pays for Scouting?
Assisted by their parents or guardians, Boy Scouts pay their share from personal savings and at home participation in money-earning projects. Troop 33’s monthly dues are $7.00. These monies help pay for camping equipment maintenance, annual registration/rechartering, Boys' Life magazine, merit badges. pins/insignias and program materials.
Members buy their own uniforms, handbooks, and personal equipment and pay their own camp fees that vary per site and amount of meals necessary.
When and where does the Troop meet?
The troop meets every Monday at 6:45 at the Woodbury Presbyterian Church located at 1501 Woodbury Rd., Orlando, Fl 32828
Does my son need to be member of this church or any other to be a troop member?
No, Troop 33 welcomes all boys interested in Scouting regardless of their religious affiliation.
Who will be my son’s leaders?
Our troop is composed of parents and community members who volunteer their time to provide our young men with life learning experiences.
Our Scoutmaster, Mr. David Mott, has been active in scouting since a very young age and is an Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow. All six of our Assistant Scoutmasters, are distinguished community members, Eagle Scouts, parents and professionals who work side by side with our Scoutmaster and are fully committed to the Troop and their members. Our Committee members are parents, church representatives, lay persons and community members who meet monthly and whose purpose is to assure that the troop is viable and providing the Scouts with valuable experiences.
How does the troop sustain itself financially?
Scouts participate in two yearly council fundraisers: Popcorn sales and Family Fest Discount cards that generate a percent profit for the troop. Besides this, the troop has their own money generating projects that help the scouts fund their individual accounts and assist in the troop well being.
How is the troop organized?
The Scouts are divided in patrols, that are groups of four to eight scouts directed by a patrol leader, that is voted in every six months, to give all scouts the opportunity to carry leadership positions. The Patrol Leader is member of the Patrol Leader Committee (PLC) that works together to ascertain the troop needs and likes and based upon this provide the scouts with camping, skills and development opportunities.
Each patrol works with adult assistant scoutmasters that help and guide them in accomplishing their goals and provide leadership and skill role models. A Merit badge counselor helps the scout through the process of completing the different merit badge requirements. Several other positions are available within the troop: assistant patrol leader, senior patrol leader, historian, webmaster, chaplain aid, scribe, quartermaster, etc.
What is a merit badge?
A merit badge is an award that is presented to a Scout when he completes the requirements for one of the merit badge subjects. The badge significance is as large as the effort the scout puts into it. Each badge helps Scouts explore many subjects that may not be available to them otherwise. The Scout who has earned a number of merit badges gains confidence, finds greater purpose in life, and becomes a better person from his experience with real world subjects.
For more information, please visit: http://www.usscouts.org/usscouts/mb/intro.asp or
Where does this Troop camping take place?
Summer camp can take place at Camp LaNoChe,http://www.camplanoche.com/
Located in Ocala, Florida. Some of our scouts have ventured out of state to other councils campsites, high adventure programs and to attend National Jamborees. Weekly camping sites are decided by the Patrol Leaders Committee (PLC) based on location, cost and the merit badge that is being worked upon.
To whom does the Troop report?
Our troop is under the umbrella of the Central Florida Boy Scouts of America Council. For more information and some history, please visit: http://cflscouting.org/CouncilInfo/tabid/61/Default.aspx
For specific Boy Scout information, please refer to: http://cflscouting.org/Programs/BoyScouts/tabid/139/Default.aspx
For general Scout information, please refer to: http://cflscouting.org/
Interested in joining Troop 33? Questions not answered in the FAQ’s?
Contact us by sending us a message using our “Leave us a Message” tab or checking our Troop’s Guidelines Handbook under the Guidelines tab.