Info for new families

What to expect

Getting started

New to Scouting, ready to move to Scouts BSA, or just moving to the area? Troop 226 would love to have you visit us at a weekly meeting or join a day activity to see what we’re all about. Connect with us.

Activities

Troop 226 is an active Scouts BSA unit focused on providing a great forum for Scouts to learn new skills, practice the aims and methods of the program, and advance their skills every day.

Families support the unit and are assisted by Scoutmasters, Assistant Scout Masters and volunteers.

Meetings

Troop 226 meets as a unit weekly on Wednesday nights. At each meeting the scouts can expect to

Practice leadership roles and responsibilities.
Scouts learn and practice a meeting structure outlined by Scouts BSA that helps to:
- Set the tone for each meeting by starting with the Pledge of Allegiance, Scouts BSA Oath, Law, and Outdoor Code, and a flag ceremony.
- Support new Scouts and make room for everyone to learn and teach skills.
Use planning skills to prepare for upcoming events and outings.

The elected Patrol Leaders’ Council helps set the monthly calendar and all members of the troop participate in skills like

Checking shared gear for readiness.
Delegating tasks to members of each patrol and coordinating adult support.
Communicating plans.

Set goals and work towards milestones

Scouts in all leadership positions have an adult counterpart to work with on decisions and methods.
Scouts set goals as patrols and as a troop outside of their activities.
Scouts regularly conduct feedback sessions to check in on their own progress.

Monthly activities

Program

Troop 226 does several day and overnight activities each month, decided on and lead by the scouts

Camping
Skills instruction
Local activities

Service

The Scouts support several community groups and participate in service hours both individually and as a troop

Volunteering with organizations.
Religous institutions.

Yearly activities

Scouts BSA also has opportunities for Scouts to participate in annual programs like summer camp, visiting high adventure bases, or planning their own long term trips.

Council and National programs

Training
Events

These are posted on Scouting.org, BSA Website, San Diego Imperial Council Website or Rancho Mesa Zone website.

Rank Advancement

Along with the aims and methods of the Scouting program, each Scout has the opportunity to track and measure the skills they learn and growth they are doing via a series of milestones and awards called rank advancement. Scouts progress through the below stages

Scouts can also earn auxiliary awards for special work or interests.

The Basics:

Troop structure

Each Scouts BSA unit is lead by one elected youth member called the Senior Patrol leader, supported by leaders of smaller groups within the troop called patrols via the Patrol Leaders’ Council and backed up by an adult lead called the Scoutmaster, who is in turn supported by assistant Scoutmasters and a committee of other family/adult volunteers.

The troop is chartered by a local organization and runs as an independent unit.

Any Scout interested in joining can register with us and can expect to

Register with annual dues, typically $25-$50, which covers getting connected with the local council and supporting rank advancement for each Scout
Join a patrol lead by a fellow Scout and an assistant Scoutmaster
Attend weekly meetings when possible to support their patrol, progress through skills and advancement, and plan for events
Join regular outings that further learning Scouting skills and fun
Support other Scouts and the community in service projects
Run for leadership roles and cycle through different levels of responsibility
Attend and lead trainings to progress as a unit and in life skills.

Check us out!

We meet weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6:45pm-8:00pm*

*Check the calendar and/or announcements for schedule changes. Just in case, it would be safest to reach out to confirm our meeting for a particular week.