Troop 79
WELCOME
Troop 79 provides a strong year-round Scouting program utilizing the ideals and methods of Scouts BSA. We are fortunate to have a strong relationship with Hopewell UMC in Tyrone, Georgia since 1974.
Please contact us via the Troop 79 Interest Form find out more about the registration process and to visit a Troop Meeting.
SNAPSHOT OF OUR TROOP SCHEDULE
Members should always check the Troopmaster calendar to confirm.
Weekly Troop Meetings: We meet year-round on most Sunday evenings at Hopewell Methodist Church, but there are many exceptions due to holidays, school breaks, and other weekend scouting events. Often there are opportunities for advancement work before the regular meeting begins.
Monthly Committee Meetings: The (Adult) Troop Committee normally meets one Sunday evening each month. All Committee Members are expected to attend, but all families should try to send one adult to keep up on matters.
Monthly Outings: The Troop strives to camp or have another major activity at least once a month. Campouts typically are combined with hiking, biking, canoeing, or other activities such as scouting competitions with other units or serving others by assisting Cub Scout units, surrounding schools, the local scout campground, religious organizations, and others.
Camp: Troop 79 normally attends a week-long Summer Camp. It is STRONGLY recommended that all first year Scouts participate. We also usually attend a mini-camp at the end of December. Older scouts also might go on a High Adventure trip (the Troop participates as a group in even years).
Rise Against Hunger
Hopewell Garden Project
Heavenly Peace Beds
How To Join
Many Scouts move from Cub Scouts to the Troop in early-spring and the two units coordinate the "crossover" and transfer. We also recruit new Scouts at the beginning of the school year. Other new or returning Scouts are welcome to join throughout the year, as described below.
Phase I - Reach Out To The Troop
Please contact us at troop79newscoutcoordinator@gmail.com or click and submit the Troop 79 Interest Form, to request more information and to schedule a visit.
Returning to Scouting? Whether you took a break from Cub Scouts or from Boy Scouts, we are so glad you are considering coming back to Scouting. We will work with BSA to retrieve your record. If you have paid dues/fees to a unit in the last year, you can contact that unit to determine whether (1) any credit can be transferred to your new account with Troop 79 and (2) your BSA fees have been paid already for the current year. If you or the unit happen to have your BSA ID number handy, that will make the transfer process easier. Please be sure to contact the New Scout Coordinator before proceeding. troop79newscoutcoordinator@gmail.com
Phase II - Register with BSA Scouts
When you are ready to move forward with registration, we will need an application for the scout(s) and an application for at least one adult to become a Committee Member (if you previously have been an Assistant Scoutmaster, consult with Scoutmaster). Annual payments will need to be made to the Scouts BSA organization and to the local unit (our Troop). Additional amounts will be assessed based on costs incurred for specific events and most average $30 per attending scout.
BSA Scout Online Application: Set up a new account via this link and bubble: Boy Scout Troop, UNIT NUMBER: 79 and either New to Scouting or Transfer. The annual payment to the Scouts BSA organization is paid to directly when registering online. Once completed, notify troop79newscoutcoordinator@gmail.com and troop79committeechair@gmail.com.
BSA Adult Online Application: At least one parent/guardian should become an adult leader to help promote the scouting experience for all Troop members. Adult leadership at events may not be for everyone, but it is expected that everyone be willing to volunteer in one of these roles. Begin the process by completing the mandatory Youth Protection Training (YPT) here. If you previously have registered with BSA and received a BSA ID number, you will want to go through the process of retrieving that number rather than starting from scratch. When you complete the YPT training, you should receive an email. As soon as it becomes available, print out the certificate with the date completed and your BSA ID number, and email the certificate to troop79newscoutcoordinator@gmail.com and troop79committeechair@gmail.com. At that time, additional links will be provided for the application and position-specific training.
Membership Costs: The costs of scouting will be reviewed when you visit with the Troop. Generally speaking, BSA requires the Troop to register each scout and each adult annually and to pay certain per person fees to BSA. In addition, there are annual Troop 79 dues that help the Troop maintain supplies (tents, cooking gear, trailer, etc.). Finally, other costs are a-la-carte in that your scout is charged only for those events that he registers to attend. All checks should be made payable to “Troop 79”. Once a member, the Troop will provide information for tracking dues, assessments per trip, electronic payment options, etc.
Note about Fundraising: The Troop will provide an opportunity for Scouts to participate in fundraisers such as Popcorn and Camp Cards. A portion of the profits will be distributed to his scout account. Scout accounts may be used by the Scout to pay for monthly activities, summer camp fees, etc. Fundraisers can be excellent opportunities for a Scout to fund his Scouting experience. Pine straw is a separate opportunity where the Troop works with our charter organization to sell and distribute pine straw in the community.
Phase III - Prepare for Adventure
Welcome to the Troop 79 family!
Communications and Records:
BAND: Generally you will receive Troop announcements, reminders, and links to our internal website through posts on the BAND communication platform. Scouts must have their own accounts.
Troopmaster: This system is used for rsvps and advancements. Communications related to advancements might be sent via Troopmaster or directly by email. Scouts must have their own accounts and should have their own email accounts (even if monitored by an adult).
Finances: You will receive communications specific to finances from TroopWebHost, which we use for accounting. Currently only adults have accounts.
The Troop updates information in BSA's system periodically, but our members do not use the BSA websites or apps.
Supplies Needed:
Uniform from the Flint River Scout Shop (1363 Zebulon Rd., Griffin, GA 30224)
BSA Handbook (also from the Scout Shop)
Class B T-shirts (order through Troop)
Closed-toe shoes with traction (typically hiking shoes/boots or sneakers)
Ten Essentials (review handbook section)
A protective cover for handbook and a binder for paperwork are recommended
Gear: exactly what and when a new scout will need gear will depend on the upcoming events; check with the Scoutmaster if prioritizing purchases or to inquire about Troop gear or second-hand items.
