We're a quality unit. No really! We have the patches to prove it.
Troop 273 was chartered by Scotchtown Presbyterian Church in 1995.
Since then the troop has served a quality Scouting program to boys in
the community.
The troop has been awarded the Quality Unit Award
several times; proving excellence in adult training, outdoor program,
service, advancement, and youth leadership.
We earned the
Centennial Quality Unit Award in 2010 too!
Every Scout deserves a trained leader.
We understand the value of educated and trained adult leadership.
That's why Troop 273 requires basic Youth Protection Training for any
adult spending an overnight with the troop. The troop has also taken a
proactive stance and pays for training. This ensures every Scout is
safe with qualified adults on every adventure.
Keeping the "outing" in Scouting.
Troop 273 attempts to hold an outdoor activity at least once every
month. The calendar is filled with various adventures: camping, hiking,
skiing, cycling, canoeing, swimming, shooting, bowling, and sledding
are all on the 2009 calendar. Trips have taken us as far as Gettysburg,
New York City, Boston, and the Adirondacks. Older Scouts have completed
50-mile treks (there's a patch for that too) by canoe or hiking!
More than helping granny cross the street.
Our troop participates in hundreds of hours of community service
every year. Many of those hours are spent supporting Scouts in their
Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project, the "thesis" of your "Scouting
career." Past projects include trail maintenance, blood drives,
collections for victimized and needy families, and school improvements.
The troop also holds an annual food drive which donates to community
food banks called Scouting For Food.
Unusual Eagle Scout density.
Statistics say 5% of Boy Scouts become Eagle Scouts. In 2009, our 18th Eagle Scout rank was awarded. Statistically 18 Eagle Scouts would
come from a cumulative troop of 360 Scouts. Troop 273 has had less than
150 Scouts in a 14 year history. Also of note is that there have been 5 sets of brothers who have earned Eagle as of 2017 - with another one headed for his board of Review.
It's about community.
Troop 273 actively participates in the community. In March, the
Scouting for Food drive fills pantries in our area. We march in
Memorial Day and Independence Day parades. Every May, Scouts from our
troop visit community cemeteries and post American flags near veterans'
headstones.
Be prepared ... for adventure!
Every summer our troop participates in a week-long residential camp
program. You will have an opportunity to earn merit badges and work on
rank advancement. You could spend downtime swimming, playing sports
with other Scouts, or building a tower from wood and rope. It's a
completely unique experience for every Scout!
We also offer a high adventure trip for experienced Scouts. Last
year seven boys completed a 50-mile canoe trek through the Adirondacks.
It rained four of five days and were caught in a lightening storm.
There was a 1.5 mile length where the canoes had to be carried on land.
One boy caught a 33" pike which we fried and ate with potato chips. The
Scouts experienced an epic trip and truly had the full Scouting
experience.
Boy-run program. Not boy-run-into-the-ground program.
Troop 273 has found that narrow balance between the Scouting ideal
of a boy-led program and adults running events. The troop has a core of
youth leaders who plan and execute meetings and events. They're
responsible for the agenda, food, transportation, and money for each
adventure. Scouts have this much latitude because it's truly their
program. Adults supervise the process to ensure safety and quality.
Your journey awaits. Join Troop 273! Or learn more about Boy Scouting.
