What is scouting?

• Scouts BSA (and Cub Scouts for younger boys) has a history dating back over 100 years teaching young men and women from fifth grade to 18 years of age skills to develop into self-reliant, confident and dependable adults. It is accomplished through character development, citizenship, fun and service in the community.

Who is Troop 843 affiliated with?

• We are chartered by All Shepherds Lutheran Church (ASLC) in Lewis Center, which means they provide us with meeting areas and support our organization overall. Many of our scouts are from the Olentangy school district area and from Cub Scout Packs from the local area. We are part of a larger group of scouts called the Simon Kenton Council, a collection of troops from the across Central Ohio.

How much time is involved, how often does the Troop meet?

• There is a troop meeting each Monday at ASLC, a meeting where the boys plan future events, learn new skills and work on their merit badge and rank requirements.

• Each month, there is typically a camping activity (described below).

  • Remember, we understand that our scouts have a number of other commitments (sports, church, band/choir, etc.) and we want them to participate in them AND scouts if possible. Some boys miss a month or two of meetings when their sport is “in season”, totally understandable.

What are patrols and how does leadership of the troop work?

• The troop is organized by patrols, a group of 8 to 10 scouts that come into the troop the same year. Each patrol has a sometimes normal and sometimes quirky name and insignia (the Flying Green Dragons, for example). On campouts, the patrols work as group to plan meals, clean up their cooking equipment and function as a group.

• We are scout led, which means the leadership of the troop is handled by the scouts themselves. They elect leaders of their patrols and leaders of the troop overall (the Senior Patrol Leader). The leaders change every 6 months so everyone has an opportunity to lead, if desired.

What kind of events does Troop 843 have?

• We have an activity nearly every month, most commonly campouts at Scouts BSA camps in the Ohio area. The theme and location of the campout is decided by the boys. We have a calendar of upcoming events typically a year ahead of time and range from canoeing and bike trips to rappelling and winter hikes. We camp all year round. Each of these events are on a “as desired” attendance basis, some boys might not be able to go to every campout.

• Additionally, we participate as a Troop in some community service activities each year, an opportunity for the group to give back to the local area.

• Every year, in the summer, the boys have an opportunity to go to a weeklong sleep away camp summer camp where they get to work on merit badges, hike, swim, canoe, fish and spend time with old and new friends. The boys decide on the location of summer camp and it changes each year.

How much does it cost and how do you raise money?

• As of January 2023, Troop 843 has a $200 per scout membership fee per year which covers dues to Scouts BSA, awards, and some of our calendar of events mentioned above.

• Additionally, many monthly campouts and events have a small charge depending on the event.

• Summer camp, an optional event, typically runs a few hundred dollars for the week depending on the location.

• Scouts have the optional opportunity to earn money for themselves along the way by selling popcorn, holiday wreaths and other programs.

  • All of the monies earned from these, since they are optional, goes directly to the scout’s “scout account” to help defray the costs of events.

  • Additionally, we have some “group fundraisers”, typically dining events at local eateries where a portion of our spend goes back to the troop overall.

• Scholarships are available for those scouts in need.

What do I need for a uniform? (view Uniform page)

• Parents will need to purchase the boy’s khaki scout uniform (and scout book) to wear to official pack events. It consists of a shirt, optional hat, belt, pants and socks. They can all be purchased locally at the Simon Kenton Council Scout Store near OSU’s campus (807 Kinnear Road, Columbus - 614-481-4270).

  •  The scout store or one of our leaders can help you with the items you need.

• The troop provides the badges (rank badges and merit badges) and awards that the boys earn over the course of the year.

What do we ask of parents?

• Support your son in his journey. Volunteer if you can, even if it as a very entry level role such as a campout driver, refreshments coordinator all the way to committee member or merit badge counselor.

• We are a volunteer led organization so everyone can help.

How does advancement work?

• Unlike cub scouts, boy scout advancement occurs at the scout’s discretion and pace. Each rank has requirements that need to be completed to move along from Scout to Tenderfoot and further along to Star and possibly Eagle.

  • Not every scout has to aspire to be an Eagle scout, some boys just enjoy working at their own pace (and enjoy all of the activities) and might finish their scout career as a Tenderfoot scout (the 2nd rank).

  • Requirements, approved and tracked by the adult leaders (not parents), are recorded in the boy’s scout book.

• Merit badges (skills in a specific field such as First Aid or Art), lead by a specific merit badge counselor, are required for some of the higher ranks. The boys use a blue card (one per merit badge) to track their progress of their merit badges.

• A few times a year, we get together as a troop to award and recognize the accomplishments of the scouts at our Court of Honor.

How do I sign up?

• Many boys that have already been a Cub Scout attend an informational meeting held by Troop 843 and advance to scouts while earning their Arrow of Light. Being a Cub Scout is not a requirement.

  • Often times, your application from Cub Scouts can transfer over to Scouts BSA.

  • Otherwise, contact a leader and we can get you an application.

Where do I find more information?

• Please visit www.troop843.org for our local website or www.scouting.org for national information and more on what scouting can do for your son.