The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated on February 8, 1910 and

chartered by The Congress of the United States in 1916. Its purpose is to provide

an educational program for young men to build character, train them in the

responsibilities of citizenship, and develop personal fitness. The Troop works

towards these goals using time-tested methods that the BSA has developed and

teaches to leaders through its training program. This includes an active outdoor

program, use of the patrol method, and rank advancement.

    Troop 1 is part of the Northern Star Council. The Northern Star Council is

one of more than 300 councils chartered by the BSA to administer Scouting

programs in the United States and is one of the five largest. The Council serves

western Wisconsin, the Twin Cities, and central Minnesota. The Council is divided

into 22 districts. We’re in the Metro Lakes District, serving Minneapolis, Richfield,

and Saint Anthony. Three Troop leaders are members of the District Committee.

The Troop is chartered by Boy Scouts of America to Minnehaha United Methodist

Church. Membership in the church isn’t a requirement for being a Troop member.

But Scouts and their families are always welcome at Minnehaha

(www.minnehaha.org).

    The Troop Committee is made up of parents of Scouts and other adults.

The Troop Committee manages the administrative and financial end of the

organization. The Committee is responsible for approving the annual program

developed by the Patrol Leaders Council based on input from Scouts and

providing financial, fundraising, logistical, management, and other support to the

Troop. The Troop Committee meets at 7:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of odd

numbered months except July. You’ll get a summary of the previous meeting and

a proposed agenda for the upcoming meeting shortly after each meeting and a

reminder and updated agenda a week or two before each meeting.

    The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters are advisors to the boy

leaders. It’s the Scoutmasters’ responsibility to see that the Troop is run in

accordance with National, Council, and District BSA policies and Troop policies,

to protect Scouts’ health and safety, and to help the Scouts build and run a safe

program consistent with the BSA’s goals.

    Parents and other adults are expected to actively support the Troop.

Opportunities include being an Assistant Scoutmaster or member of the Troop

Committee, helping with campouts and outings, including driving, helping with

fundraising, and being a merit badge counselor. There’s something for every

parent and adult to do no matter what your skills or how much time you have.

    The eight methods of Scouting are (1) the ideals of Scouting (Scout law,

motto, oath, and promise above), (2) the patrol method, (3) the outdoors, (4) rank

advancement, (5) association with adults, (6) personal growth, (7) leadership

development, and (8) the uniform.