Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We’ve got answers! Below are some of the most common questions we get about Troop 105, our adventures, and how scouting works. If you don’t see your question here, just ask—we’re always happy to help!
🟢 How often does Troop 105 go camping?
At least once a month—because a scout troop that doesn’t camp is just a book club in uniforms.
Every month, we pack up, head outdoors, and hike, canoe, climb, or brave the elements (depending on the season and how ambitious we’re feeling). These trips range from backpacking in the mountains to kayaking down rivers, and we always come back with great stories to tell.
🌊 Where do you go to summer camp?
Every summer, we head to Rodney Scout Reservation in Maryland, which isn’t just a summer camp—it’s an aquatic paradise. Rodney is right on the Chesapeake Bay, meaning our Scouts get to sail, kayak, and do all sorts of water sports. If your kid has ever dreamed of learning to sail or taking on the climbing wall, this is the place to do it.
It’s a weeklong adventure packed with fun, merit badge work, and all-you-can-eat camp food (which, for the record, is actually pretty decent).
🦅 Does my kid need to have been in Cub Scouts to join Troop 105?
Nope! Plenty of our Scouts start fresh with zero prior scouting experience and do just fine. We’ll teach them everything they need to know—from tying knots to setting up a tent to cooking over an open fire.
The only thing required is a willingness to learn, have fun, and do things they never thought they could do.
🎽 How often does my scout need to wear the uniform?
Not as often as you might think! At Troop 105, we wear our “Class A” uniform:
✔️ Twice a month at regular meetings
✔️ Once at summer camp for the big closing ceremony
And that’s it.
We do not wear uniforms on campouts, hikes, or outdoor activities. Those are for getting dirty, climbing mountains, and smelling like a campfire—not for wearing neatly pressed shirts.
🏕 What kind of gear does my scout need?
To start? Not much.
Eventually, they’ll want to get a sleeping bag, a good backpack, and their own tent. But don’t rush out and buy everything on day one—Scouts often share tents at first, and we can help you figure out what’s worth buying and what can wait.
Oh, and one thing they do need? A mess kit. Every Scout is responsible for cleaning their own dishes. Welcome to responsibility, kids!
📅 When and where does Troop 105 meet?
We meet every Wednesday at 7:00 PM during the school year. Meetings are where Scouts plan upcoming trips, learn skills, and work on rank advancement.
Two meetings a month are in “Class A” uniform, but the rest are casual.
🏆 How does advancement work? How fast will my scout earn ranks?
Scouting isn’t a race—it’s about learning skills, gaining independence, and growing into a leader. But if your scout shows up to meetings and campouts, we have a proven curriculum that can get them to First Class in 12-18 months.
From there, they’ll work on leadership, merit badges, and service projects to reach the ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle Scout.
Speaking of Eagle Scouts—Troop 105 has over 120 of them. We know how to get Scouts across the finish line, and we’ll be there to help yours every step of the way.
🧭 What kind of trips does Troop 105 take?
We believe in big, fun, adventures. Some highlights include:
- Climbing up mountains
- Canoeing down winding rivers
- Bike adventures
- Camping (of course)
- High-adventure trips for older scouts (Ever heard of Philmont? Yeah, we’ve been there.)
And if that’s not enough, we also mix in fun day trips—think amusement parks, Ski resorts, escape rooms, and go-kart racing—because sometimes, leadership training happens at 50 mph.
👨👩👦 How involved do parents need to be?
We love parent involvement, but that doesn’t mean you have to commit 40 hours a week. Parents can help in big ways or small, like:
- Joining us on a campout (even if you don’t camp yourself!)
- Helping with fundraisers
- Serving on the Troop Committee
- Teaching a skill for a merit badge
Or just showing up and supporting your Scout. Scouting is a family-friendly experience, and we welcome whatever level of involvement works for you.
🚀 How do we join?
Easy! Just:
- Come to a meeting—see what we’re all about.
- Talk to our leaders—we’ll walk you through registration.
- Get ready for adventure—because your kid is about to have the time of their life.
Ready to get started? Contact us today!
🥗 Are we vegetarian, vegan, and allergy friendly?
Yes! In fact, Troop 105’s Scoutmaster is vegetarian. We have Scouts who follow different dietary needs, and we’re very careful to accommodate food allergies, including Scouts who are severely allergic to peanuts.
😬 What if my son doesn’t like Scouts?
We encourage parents to push their kids to try Scouting for at least a year. It takes time to understand the program and experience the benefits. Some of our best Eagle Scouts started out on the “try it for a year” plan and never looked back!
⚽ Can my son participate if he plays sports or is involved in other activities?
Yes! Many of our Scouts are athletes, musicians, and all-around busy kids. Scouting is flexible, and we encourage Scouts to participate as much as possible. It’s all about finding balance.
📈 How does my Scout advance in rank?
Advancement happens through participation, learning new skills, earning merit badges, and taking on leadership roles. Thanks to our dedicated advancement curriculum (designed by Professor Earle), our Scouts are consistently progressing through the ranks at a strong pace.
👨👩👦 What’s the time commitment for parents?
We love parent involvement, but don’t worry—you don’t need to live in the woods to help out. Whether it’s chaperoning a campout, helping at fundraisers, keeping troop records, or just showing up to meetings, every bit of involvement makes a difference.
📵 What is the Troop’s policy on electronics?
Let’s get those kids off the screens and into the green! Scouting is about real adventures, not virtual ones—so while we aren’t militant about phones, we do set some boundaries.
✅ Scouts can still call their mothers from camp. (We know, we know, sometimes they just need to hear mom’s voice.)
❌ Fortnite on the trail? Absolutely frowned upon.
Phones should stay in backpacks unless needed for emergencies, a task, or a quick check-in. The goal? Less screen time, more campfire time.
💰 How much does it cost to be in Scouts?
There are some costs involved, including:
- Annual dues (which we wish wouldn’t increase, but they do)
- Uniform costs
- Summer camp and activity fees
But don’t let that scare you off! We provide fundraising opportunities (like wreath sales) to help cover costs. Need-based scholarships are also available for families going through a rough patch—because no Scout should have to choose between summer camp and groceries.