Troop 5 – Bronxville, NY

Welcome to the website of Boy Scout Troop 5, Bronxville, NY!

This web site is for the Troop to communicate with the Scouts, Leaders, and Parents.  It is also to share what we do with the community and with prospective Scouts.

Troop 5 is sponsored by the Reformed Church of Bronxville, and has scouts from many different faiths.

Troop 5 meets Wednesday Nights at 7:30 in the Scout Cabin.  We have an active outdoor program that includes weekend hiking, camping, canoeing, climbing, and other activities.

We provide a diverse and active 12-month scouting program for boys in the sixth through twelfth grades.  Any boy ages 11–17 interested in visiting our weekly troop meeting is welcomed!  Boys do not need to have been in Cub Scouts to join Boy Scouts; any boy ages 11-17 is welcome to join.  If you are not sure, please visit a troop meeting, or even come on one of our outings, then decide if Troop 5 is for you.

What is Troop 5 About?

Boy Scouting is a program that helps a boy to:

• develop his character as an ethical and responsible person,  one who provides service to others
• become more independent and self-sufficient,
• develop as a leader,
• have a love of, an understanding of, and a respect for nature  and the environment,
• be a good citizen in his community
• be physically fit

Troop 5 helps develop the skills and knowledge to be able to enjoy the outdoors through hiking, camping, climbing, and other outdoor activities. This develops self-sufficiency, leadership, love of the outdoors, and a respect for nature.

Success in the Boy Scouting program is based on the development of these skills and leadership qualities.  By the time a boy completes the program, he should be able to undertake a multi-day trek through the backcountry, combining hiking, climbing, and canoeing/kayaking, and camping in a way that is respectful of nature, all with minimal adult supervision needed.  He should be able to lead others and inspire them to follow.

The annual program is designed to help him develop the skills, judgment, knowledge, fitness, and experience he needs to do that.

What is Boy Scouting and Troop 5 NOT About?

• While scouting is a lot of fun, it isn’t just about fun.  The activities of the Troop are to serve the goals of Scouting.
• Scouting isn’t an alternative to other activities.  Most of the boys in the troop are active in sports, school plays, band, and many other activities.  Boy Scouting gives boys opportunities that complement what they get from those other activities.
• Scouting isn’t about advancement, getting to Eagle, and earning merit badges.  Sure the boys earn badges and advance in rank, and some may become Eagle Scouts.  But those are indications of progress in the program, signs that the boy is getting experiences and learning new skills.  Merit badges and rank advancement are not the goals of scouting, and if all a boy does is rack up badges then he is not getting the true benefits of the program.

Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated to provide a program for community organizations that offers effective character, citizenship, and personal fitness training for youth.

The official Mission Statement of the BSA is:  “The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.”

Specifically, the Boy Scouts of America endeavors to develop American citizens who are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit; have a high degree of self-reliance as evidenced in such qualities as initiative, courage, and resourcefulness; have personal values based on religious concepts; have the desire and skills to help others; understand the principles of the American social, economic, and governmental systems; are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and understand our nation’s role in the world; have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people; and are prepared to participate in and give leadership to American society.

Boy Scouting is a year-round program for boys ages 11 through 17. The program consists of fun outdoor activities, peer group leadership opportunities, and personal exploration of career, hobby, and special interests, all designed to achieve Scouting’s objectives.

These objectives of character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness, commonly referred to as the “Aims of Scouting,” are achieved through the following methods:

• Ideals. The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout slogan. The Boy Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are high, and as he reaches for them, he has some control over what and who he becomes.
• Patrols. The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience in group living and participating citizenship. It places responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it. The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in small groups where members can easily relate to each other. These small groups determine troop activities through elected representatives.
• Outdoor Programs. Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors. It is in the outdoor setting that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with one another. In the outdoors, the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an appreciation for the beauty of the world around us. The outdoors is the laboratory in which Boy Scouts learn ecology and practice conservation of nature’s resources.
• Advancement. Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.
• Associations With Adults. Boys learn a great deal by watching how adults conduct themselves. Scout leaders can be positive role models for the members of the troop. In many cases, a Scoutmaster who is willing to listen to boys, encourage them, and take a sincere interest in them can make a profound difference in their lives. Thousands of adult volunteer leaders, both men, and women, are involved in the Boy Scouting program. They serve in a variety of jobs — everything from unit leaders to chairmen of troop committees, committee members, merit badge counselors, and chartered organization representatives.
• Personal Growth. As Boy Scouts plan their activities and progress toward their goals, they experience personal growth. The Good Turn concept is a major part of the personal growth method of Boy Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. Probably no device is as successful in developing a basis for personal growth as the daily Good Turn.
• Leadership Development. The Boy Scout program encourages boys to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Boy Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a boy accept the leadership role of others and guides him toward the citizenship aim of Scouting.
• Uniform. The uniform makes the Boy Scout troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. Boy Scouting is an action program, and wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Boy Scout’s commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Boy Scout identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals. The uniform is practical attire for Boy Scout activities and provides a way for Boy Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished.

THE SCOUT LAW – A SCOUT IS:

TRUSTWORTHY

A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.

LOYAL

A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation.

HELPFUL

A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward.

FRIENDLY

A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own.

COURTEOUS

A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.

KIND

A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.

OBEDIENT

A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.

CHEERFUL

A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.

THRIFTY

A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.

BRAVE

A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.

CLEAN

A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.

REVERENT

A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

THE SCOUT OATH (or PROMISE):

On my honor I will do my best

To do my duty to God and my country

and to obey the Scout Law;

To help other people at all times;

To keep myself physically strong,

mentally awake, and morally straight.

THE SCOUT MOTTO:

Be Prepared

THE SCOUT SLOGAN:

Do a Good Turn Daily

THE OUTDOOR CODE:

As an American, I will do my best to—
Be clean in my outdoor manners
Be careful with fire
Be considerate in the outdoors
Be conservation-minded

. . .

If a scout or a parent, or prospective scout or prospective parent is interested in visiting or has any questions, please contact the Scoutmaster by sending an email to “scoutmaster at troop5.net” (using the “@” symbol instead of the word “at”).