We meet every Monday night at 7:15 PM, at Hatboro Baptist Church,
32 N. York Road, Hatboro, PA 19040.
Click on image for full size Map.
For directions go to
MapQuest.com
Here's what you need to do to become a Scout in Hatboro Troop 3.
- Read the information below.
- Complete a Boy Scout Application (Form [28-209O]).
- Submit your Application with a payment to "Hatboro Troop 3".
- Complete the joining requirements given in How to Become a Boy Scout (page 4) with an Assistant Scoutmaster.
- Start attending weekly troop meetings
- Get Boy Scout Handbook.
- Read section Scouting - The Ultimate Adventure (including Chapters 1 and 2).
- Get a uniform.
- Participate in a Troop Investiture Ceremony where you will be formally granted membership and receive your neckerchief and Scout rank emblem.
Introduction
Welcome to Hatboro Troop 3.
Our adult leaders are committed to deliver the promise of Boy Scouting. We provide an exciting program to encourage each Scout to grow in strength, intellectual competence, and moral courage. We offer many opportunities to make new friends, develop leadership, serve the community, explore our world, surmount new challenges, and rise through the ranks to Eagle Scout.
Our program is planned and run by the Scouts, supported by the Staff, and managed by the Committee. We encourage all parents to participate on the Committee, serve as Assistant Scoutmasters on the Staff, offer skills demonstrations, and act as Merit Badge counselors. The Scouts who achieve the greatest success are those whose parents are active in the Troop.
Our troop is led by boys under the direction of our Senior Patrol Leader and his Assistants. The Scouts are organized into patrols of six to ten boys. Except new boys who are assigned to a new-Scout Patrol, Scouts join the patrol of their choosing where they remain until Troop Reorganization which occurs at the end of May. Each Scout has an important assignment in his patrol. It may be Leader, Scribe, Quartermaster, Grubmaster, or Cheermaster. Each boy gains confidence in his abilities by serving in these positions.
An Assistant Scoutmaster works closely with each patrol as a Patrol Advisor. His job is to help the patrol and each Scout achieve the goals they set for themselves. In a new-Scout patrol, the Advisor works with a Troop Guide (an older Scout) to provide the necessary training for boys to advance from Scout to Tenderfoot to Second Class to First Class. It's the Troop's responsibility and every new Scout's goal to achieve First Class rank within one year; this goal can be readily achieved by regular attendance at Troop Meetings and activities. Parents can encourage advancement by regularly checking on their son's progress.
Our roster typically includes about 80 Scouts in eight patrols. About 20% are new Scouts and another 20% are in their second year. The balance of our Scouts range in age to 18 and rank to Eagle. Our experienced Scouts who are 14 years old and have demonstrated sufficient rank advancement may participate in the high adventure program as Venture Scouts. These Scouts plan participate in additional activities which are suitably challenging for their age and experience. We have many Assistant Scoutmasters and certified Merit Badge Counselors who work with the boys and offer other training.
The troop regularly publishes a Newsletter which is emailed or mailed to the homes of each Scout. The Newsletter contains reviews of what we've been doing and a complete schedule of upcoming activities. It's a family's best source for keeping up to date with us. The Troop also publishes an annual plan in August.
Meetings
Troop meetings are held every Monday (except holidays) from 7:15 until 9:00 at Hatboro Baptist Church (32 N. York Road - next to WaWa). If a Scout can not arrive on time because of other activities, he should attend anyway and miss as little as possible. Regular attendance at troop meetings is very important. Troop meetings are where Scouts are trained in skills for rank advancement or work on merit badges. Troop meetings also include: planning for upcoming activities, honoring scouts for their achievements, and having a good time with friends. The success of each Scout's patrol and the Troop depend upon active Scout participation. Scouts and Scouters are expected to wear "class A" uniforms at all Scouting functions.
Parents Nights are held in the Spring and Fall instead of a regular Troop Meeting. All parents are encouraged to attend these nights to see their sons' awarded their latest merit badges and advancement in rank. The troop presents a multi-media presentation of our scouts in action over the previous 6 months..
When a scout achieves his Eagle Merit Badge, a Court of Honor is called to celebrate the Scout's dedication and leadership. These inspiring ceremonies, which include testimonials, a review of the Scout's career and fellowship, are held in lieu of troop meetings. In essence, an Eagle Court of Honor is a celebration of one Scout reaching the pinnacle of Boy Scouts. Attendance at an Eagle Court of Honor is itself an honor and most people leave a Court of Honor with an uplifted spirit. Attendance thus is not required. However, very few people miss an opportunity to attend an Eagle Court of Honor.
Troop (or Patrol) Leaders Council (TLC or PLC) meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month at the Scout Master's home. This is where the patrol leaders plan the Troop's program and resolve other important issues. Some patrols also meet regularly throughout the year.
Troop Committee & Staff Meetings are held monthly on Thursdays shortly after the TLC meeting at the Troop Committee Chairman's home. This is where the adult staff plans support for the Scouts' program. Parents are encouraged to attend.
Other activities
The troop travels one weekend (usually the third weekend) each month, except during December. These weekends may be close to home (at our camp at Haycock Mountain or along the Appalachian Trial), but more often are out of the area. We don't travel just to camp; we camp to make our trips affordable. We go where there are interesting things to see (from wilderness areas to big cities) or there are challenging things to do (like caving, biking, or hiking). Scouts are trained (in canoeing, backpacking, or winter camping) so they can participate safely. We have an annual Father & Son weekend and a family ski night each year. Usually, the Scouts camp and cook by patrol. Although adult Scouters are always present, it's up to each Scout to "Be Prepared" and to take care of himself and his patrol. The cost for each trip varies with the fees we pay for activities and upon what each patrol plans to eat, but is most often $10 or less.
Each year the troop spends at least one week at Summer Camp. The Troop visits one of the Cradle of Liberty Council Scout Camps (Resica Falls, Delmont, Hart, Treasure Island, etc.) each even year. Each odd year we go out of state (North Carolina, Alabama, Canada, etc.). Besides having fun, Summer Camp is the best opportunity for a Scout to advance in rank, gain new merit badges, and gain confidence in his ability to be self-reliant.
The annual Ham Supper in March is the only fund raiser to benefit the Troop treasury. All Scouts are expected to sell tickets and assist during the Supper. The annual Hoagie Sale in May offers a means to offset (or pay for) the cost of summer camp. Each Scout who sells hoagies is expected to help in their preparation and part of each sale will go into his individual account.
Troop Good Turns include the Hatboro Rotary Club Lobster Pot, Scout Sunday at Hatboro Baptist Church, the Hatboro Union Library Book Fair, and Cub Scout crossover ceremonies.
Our Scouts also participate in many Scouting activities outside the Troop. These include annual trips to the Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico, participation in national Scout Jamborees, and the Scope / Olympia exchange program with Canadian Scouts.
Things Every Scout Needs
- Boy Scout Handbook (latest edition), purchase from a Scouting supplier
- Sleeping Bag
- Plastic Drop Cloth
- Mess Kit (including cup, plate, bowl, and utensils)
- Note: Most other camping items (tents, cooking gear, etc.) are supplied by the troop.
- Troop 3 Hat * purchase from the Troop
- Troop 3 Tee Shirt * purchase from the Troop
- BSA Red Shoulder Loops ** purchase from a Scouting supplier
- Boy Scout Shirt (2) (short or long sleeve) ** purchase from a Scouting supplier or from the Troop (used)
- Boy Scout shorts ** purchase from a Scouting supplier or from the Troop (used)
- Boy Scout Trousers ** purchase from a Scouting supplier or from the Troop (used)
- Boy Scout Belt ** purchase from a Scouting supplier
- Boy Scout Socks ** purchase from a Scouting supplier
- "HATBORO PA", "50 year" and troop numeral "3" sleeve insignia (3) ** supplied by the Troop at Investiture
- Troop 3 Neckerchief (supplied at Investiture by the Troop) *** supplied by the Troop at Investiture
- Neckerchief Slide ***
- Merit Badge Sash (optional) purchase from a Scouting supplier
* These items constitute a class B uniform (worn during camp activities).
** These items constitute a class A uniform (worn for all Troop Meetings and traveling).
*** These items constitute a class A+ uniform (worn for special ceremonies - Courts of Honor, etc.).
(1) Many Scouting items are available from Rose Uniform, Willow Grove.
(2) Many Scouts prefer shirts and trousers made of 100% cotton rather than the standard cotton / poly blend. All cotton uniforms are only available at Scout Shops (Doylestown, Valley Forge, and Philadelphia).
(3) Placement of insignia is shown in the Boy Scout Handbook.
Fees
Re-registration fee for Scouts transferring from another unit (such as a pack) $1.00
Registration fee for boys joining the Scouting program & Boys' Life subscription $25.00
Troop fee for LOST uniform sleeve insignia and neckerchief $15.00
Scout Master Troop Committee Chairman
Troop Committee Chartered Org Rep Chaplain
Note: This is only a partial list of the Hatboro Troop 3 Staff
Some members do not want to be listed in the public area of the site,
due to the risk of receiving SPAM.
For email addresses & phone numbers go to the Scouters protected page.
Robert John
David Cooper
Kris W. Field
Janet S. Gilman
Vicki Blum
Chartered Organization Representative:Claude W. Craft
Richard S. Haddon Sr.
Owen P. Adams Jr., Medical Advisor
Lester Blum
Chris S. Gilman
Stephen L. Gilman, Fundraiser Chairman
Douglas P. Gramp, Advancement Chairman
John J. Jevit, Dan Beard Advisor
William D. Kuhfuss, Trip Coordinator Advisor
Garry M. Pfeil
Howard E. Stearns
Bill Walls
Larry Wilks, Trading Post & Uniform Exchange Chairman
Copyright © 2001-2008. Hatboro Troop 3. All rights reserved.
