Join
Troop 53

How to do it

So you want to join Boy Scouts and you've decided on Troop 53. Good choice!

The "official" joining requirements for Boy Scouts are:

1. Meet age requirements. Be a boy who has completed the fifth grade and be at least 10 years old, or be age 11, or have earned the Arrow of Light Award and be at least 10 years old, but is under 18 years old.
2. Complete a Boy Scout application signed by your parent or guardian.
3. Find a Scout troop near your home.
4. Repeat the Pledge of Allegiance.
5. Demonstrate the Scout sign, salute, and handshake.
6. Demonstrate tying the square knot (a joining knot).
7. Understand and agree to live by the Scout Oath or Promise, Law, motto, slogan, and the Outdoor Code.
8. Describe the Scout badge.
9. Complete the pamphlet exercises. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide.
10. Participate in a Scoutmaster conference. Turn in your Boy Scout application signed by your parent or guardian, then participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

Now, let's tell you how it's actually done along with a little interpretation of the above requirements. To join Troop 53 you must do the following:

1. Meet age requirements. Be a boy under 18 years of age who also meets one of the following age/grade/experience requirements:
   • has completed the fifth grade and is at least 10 years old
   • is at least 11 years old
   • has earned the Arrow of Light Award as a Webelos Scout and is at least 10 years old
2. Complete a Boy Scout application signed by your parent or guardian and pay the Troop 53 joining fee as found in the Welcome to Troop 53 "handbook".
3. Complete parts A and C (pages 2 & 4) of the Annual Health and Medical Record. This form replaces the former Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 medical forms. As of January 1, 2010 you must use the new form.
   More information.

As soon as you've turned in a completed application, health history, and paid your joining fee, you may begin attending our Troop meetings, campouts, and other activities. When you've completed the rest of the "joining requirements" (usually within the first couple of weeks), you will be awarded the rank of Scout. [OK you hardliners — yes, I know Scout is not officially a "rank" according to the BSA, but in the real world that's how it's treated.]

At your first Court of Honor, usually within a month to 6 weeks of joining (if you join at Blue and Gold Banquet time), you will receive (free) your Troop 53 neckerchief along with any awards or advancements you've earned up to that point.

You will need to acquire 2 items within a month or so of joining:

1. A Boy Scout Handbook — the spiral-bound version is highly recommended.
2. A Boy Scout uniform. Troop 53 expects its Scouts to be in full uniform at all Troop and Patrol events. See Welcome to Troop 53 for more information on what we require you to wear.

Both of these items may be purchased at the Scout Shop, 335 West Main Street in Belleville. Troop 53 does maintain an "Experienced Uniform" inventory but there are no guarantees on finding your size.

More information:

• Welcome to Troop 53 — the "handbook" we give to all Troop 53 Scout families
• Webelos Scouts — more information Webelos Scouts should know about joining Troop 53.
• Parent/Guardian Information — some things to think about...
• Adult Leaders — information on how to join Troop 53 as an adult leader.
• Youth and Adult Applications — takes you to the National BSA website forms page. Download the "New Youth Application" and/or the "New Adult Application". You'll have to print and fill out by hand. Or get the forms from the Scoutmaster and you only have to write the information once on each form.
• Your first year in Troop 53 — some of what to expect.