Welcome to JPL Troop 509

Calendar Update for Webelos

Monday, January 25, 2010

There will be one last Webelo Open House on Monday, February 8, 2010 @ JPL. Our meetings are at 7p Monday evenings at JPL. Please let us know you are coming so that we can arrange the JPL

Attention All Webelos

Sunday, November 8, 2009

You are cordially invited to visit JPL Troop 509 and/or join us on some of our upcoming outings:

WEBELO Night Hike – Mon 11/30/09 – local location tbd

Hangar 18 Rock Climbing – Sat or Sun 12/5

Welcome to All Webelos

Friday, September 25, 2009

JPL Troop 509 welcomes you to our troop. Please feel free to peruse our website and contact us if you are interested in attending any of our outings, especially the Webelos outings on our Calendar.

Summer Letter from the Scoutmaster

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Troop 509 is a member of the Rose Bowl District, San Gabriel Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America. Our chartering organization is JPL, which is where we meet on Mondays at 7:00 p.m.. We’re a big Troop with around 70 Scouts registered. Unlike Cub Scouts, which you may be familiar with, Boy Scouts is a youth-lead organization where our boy leaders run the Troop. A goal is for them to learn how to organize and lead the activities. After training, and with supervision from adult leaders, the boys run the meetings and outings and provide leadership to their peers. The Troop is organized into Patrols that are comprised of six to ten Scouts that are approximately at the same level in rank regardless of age, with an advanced Scout as their leader. Patrol Leaders report to the Senior Patrol Leader who heads the Troop. The Senior Patrol Leader(s) and his Patrol Leaders, with the guidance of the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters, are responsible for planning the program and conducting the activities of the Troop, not the adult leaders.

Our Troop prides itself on having a rich assortment of outdoor experiences that reinforce the lessons and ideals of Scouting for Scouts and their families (our Troop calendar is on our web site). Thanks to the active involvement of so many parents we have a tremendous program. Outings provide a broad range of challenges and opportunities for young Scouts just getting started as well as older Scouts seeking high adventures. Like other Troops we do day hikes, car camping, bike trips, rock climbing, and canoeing, but we also do high adventure outings like wilderness backpacking treks including the Philmont Boy Scout Ranch, whitewater rafting, and ocean kayaking. We usually have at least one major outing per month. Troop Flyers and outings information are normally distributed at Troop meetings a few weeks ahead. Outings are self-financed and the sign up flyer will list any participation costs. How much does Boy Scouting cost? As little as possible, but as we all know, nothing worthwhile is free. The annual Troop membership dues collected in the fall for each Scout is $125. New Scouts that join mid year pay a partial year dues of $65. These funds cover expenses such as: national BSA membership, insurance, Troop gear for meetings and camping, some outings like Camporee, and advancement badges / awards.

Scouting is an educational program to build moral strength and character, train in the responsibilities of citizenship and to develop physical, mental and emotional fitness. The advancement system is a ladder of skills that a Scout climbs at his own pace. As he acquires these skills he moves up through a series of ranks, for which he is awarded badges: Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. The higher he climbs the more challenging his tasks, and the more fulfilling they are. Scouting concentrates on the developmental needs of youth by providing activities that build self-confidence, instill positive values, and inspire them to achieve their full potential. But ask any boy or adult (us big kids) why are they in Scouting and they will tell you, “to have fun!”

Welcome to JPL Troop 509

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