New Families

Steps to Joining Us

  • Meet our Scouts and Leaders!
    Visit Troop 215 on any Thursday evening for a meeting

  • Complete a youth application
    Online application if new to Scouting
    If transferring from another unit or a pack, we'll need your BSA ID number to have you moved over. No formal application is needed.

  • Complete the BSA Health & Medical Form (parts A&B)
    Turn into the T215 Membership Coordinator or Scoutmaster

  • Pay dues
    Amount determined by what month the Scout is joining during the year plus the $25 new-member fee for National registration. Scouts crossing over from a Pack will not pay dues until December when the following year's dues is due.

  • Read through the T215 Handbook

  • Begin attending Thursday night meetings

Uniforms

Each Scout is expected to wear the appropriate Scout uniform to every Scout function. Uniforms can be purchased at the Scout Shop (110 Longstreet Dr.) If there is a question about appropriate uniform for an event, the scout should contact the SPL.

Uniform requirements per event:

  • Troop meetings– Class “A” Uniform: Scout uniform shirt, BSA shorts/pants, scout belt

  • Boards of Review, Courts of Honor, Scout Sunday - Full “Class A” uniform: includes Scout uniform shirt, pants, socks, belt, and merit badge sash. Uniform shirts should bear current rank badge.

  • Travel to/from campouts and summer camps - same as for troop meetings

  • Camping days, some service projects - Class “B” uniform: Troop 215 T-shirt with scout shorts/pants (One Class B t-shirt is provided with incoming scout dues. Growing scouts can purchase larger shirts as needed)

Scout Handbook

Scouts should purchase a Boy Scout Handbook (if they did not receive one at Crossover) and bring it with them to every meeting and every outdoor trip (campout/hike). A Scout’s advancement is recorded in the pages at the back of the Scout Handbook. A Scout is responsible for asking the Scoutmaster, an Assistant Scoutmaster or a qualified higher-ranking scout to sign his handbook as soon as he completes any requirement. Each Scout should safeguard his Handbook by clearly marking his name on the outside and protecting it from “the elements” (e.g., with a cover that can be purchased from the Scout Shop). The Boy Scout Handbook was updated in 2019 by BSA, so please ensure your scout is using the current requirements for merit badges and ranks advancement by checking with Troop 215 Advancement Committee members.

Troop Meeting & Activity Attendance

Regular attendance at Troop meetings and Troop activities is required for advancement. Troop 215 strives for, at a minimum: 50% attendance at Troop Meetings, 50% attendance on Troop Camping Trips and 50% attendance at Troop Service projects for each rank advancement. Attendance at non-Troop sponsored events (Order of the Arrow, contingent camping, etc.) may qualify for Troop attendance credit, but must be approved in advance by the Scoutmaster. Scouts should let the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) know when they will be unable to attend a meeting or activity. Scouts who miss meetings are responsible for obtaining any information they may have missed.