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 Sunday evenings at Hopewell Methodist Church unless otherwise noted on the calendar. We meet year-round with the exception of major holidays, most school breaks, and camping weekends. Often there are opportunities for advancement work before the regular meeting.
Monthly Committee Meetings: The (Adult) Troop Committee normally meets the 2nd Sunday evening each month, provided it is not major holiday week or during a Fayette/Coweta County Public Schools break. All Committee Members are expected to attend, but all parents are welcome. This is the time to learn about upcoming events, volunteer your talents, establish policies, and conduct Board of Reviews (approving each Scout's rank advancement). These meetings begin before that week's Troop Meeting and finish up sometime during the Troop Meeting, depending on the number of Scouts need a Board of Review and whether some Committee Members stay for a working session.
Monthly Outings: The Troop strives to camp or have another major activity at least once a month. Normally the activity is are posted on the calendar for registration and more specific information is provided closer to the event. 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. Basic Scout skills are taught and used as a foundation for the remainder of their time as Scouts. As a Troop recommendation, parents of first year Scouts are advised not to attend summer camp. We also usually attend a mini-camp at the end of December. Older scouts also might attend a High Adventure during the summer (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 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 must fill an Adult leader application as a Committee Member or Assistant Scoutmaster 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. Then, use this link to complete BSA's adult application, authorize a criminal background check, and make the annual payment to the Scouts BSA organization directly when registering online. Once your application is approved there will be additional online training required with different modules for Committee Members and Assistant Scoutmasters. If you have a problem accessing either link, reach out to troop79committeechair@gmail.com.
Complete the Troop Resource Survey https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-116_wb.pdf Send the completed form(s) to troop79newscoutcoordinator@gmail.com.
Membership Costs: The costs of scouting will be reviewed when you visit with the Troop before applying. Generally speaking, BSA requires the Troop to register each scout and each adult annually ($90 and $70, respectively) 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, 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!
Troopmaster Access: Once registration is complete and all fees are paid, you will receive an email invitation to register on Troopmaster. Troopmaster is used to sign up for scout meeting attendance, camping trips, and various "sign offs". Make it a habit to check the website and Troopmaster at least once a week, and in particular the calendar section, prior to meetings and events to verify activities.
Communication: You will receive Troop announcements, reminders, and links to our internal website through the following methods:
Troopmaster
BAND
TroopWebHost (finances)
Communications work best when each scout has their own email address separate from the parent's email address, even if the parent is monitoring both accounts.
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.