Meetings & Policies

Troop 54 Contacts

SCOUTMASTER - scoutmaster@troop54nj.com
For information about joining Boy Scouts and Troop programs.

COMMITTEE CHAIR - committeechair@troop54nj.com
For information about joining Boy Scouts and Troop business.

WEBMASTER - webmaster@troop54nj.com
For questions or comments regarding the content of this website.

Troop Meetings

A Reminder - Our Troop Meetings begin at 7:30 pm and end at 9:00 pm. They are held every Tuesday except the first one of the month. If a meeting is cancelled due to weather, it will be posted on the Troop Web Site. Please try to be prompt. Don’t forget that it is Troop Policy that full "Class A" uniforms be worn to the Troop Meetings. If a scout is involved in another activity (i.e. football, soccer or baseball) prior to our Troop Meeting, he can always keep his scout shirt and pants in the car and get changed as soon as he gets to the meeting. What would his coach say if he turned up to his other activity in his Scout uniform? A Full Class A Uniform consists of a scout shirt with all the correct patches and a neckerchief or bolo, Boy Scout pants, socks and belt.

Roundtable Meetings

Troop 54 is part of the Black River District of the Patriots’ Path Council of the Boy Scouts of America. On the first Tuesday of each Month the adult leaders of Troop 54 meet with leaders from others troops within the Black River District. We learn about District and Council-wide activities and discuss successful ways to present the Scouting program. We are fortunate that the meetings are held at the Redeemer Lutheran Church on Hillside Avenue right in Succasunna.

Electronic Devices

Electronic devices (Cell Phones, Video Games, DVD Players, IPods, CD or Tape Players) should not be brought on campouts. They will be confiscated and returned at the following troop meeting.

Fundraisers

Troop 54 charges a minimal amount for dues that goes directly to
support the troop. All the money we collect each December for
registration goes to the National Headquarters and the Patriots’
Path Council for administration and insurance.

Troop 54 does have operating expenses. We purchase merit badges and
rank awards. We run Eagle Courts of Honors a couple times a year. We
are now trying to pay for the leaders gas costs to go on the weekend
camping trip since they give up their time. We try and help defray the
cost of the June camp out and summer camp when possible. We need to
replace or fix worn equipment; we need to keep our propane tanks
filled. The list goes on and on.

The only way that we can cover the cost of our operating expenses
is by running several fundraisers each year. Obviously, the more
money we can raise, the better programs we can provide. We strongly
urge every family to participate in our fundraisers. One incentive to
participate in our fundraising activities is the Scout Account. On
selected fundraisers, each Scout that participates gets a percentage
of money put into his scout account based on the profits he earned for
the troop through his participation. The money that accumulates in the
scout’s account can be used to help pay for camping trips, summer
camp or even camping gear. Additionally, since all money in the
Troop’s treasury goes to supporting the Troop, the Troop’s portion
of the reduce each family’s level of support for
their son’s Scout activities.

The Troop Committee has decided that we will have candy sales and car
washes annually and will add in others as we come across ideas.
Hopefully if everyone participates and exceeds their goal, these
fundraisers will finance the troop. While we realize we have to
compete with many other activities, please do your part to make
your son’s experience more enjoyable.

Uniform Exchange

The Uniform Exchange is available to all youth and adult members of Troop 54. “Experienced” uniform shirts, shorts, trousers, Troop 54 T-Shirts, and other items are collected from members as they outgrow them or are purchased at low cost and then added to the exchange. When a scout takes an item from the exchange, he may turn another one in, or if he does not have anything to turn in, he is asked to make a cash donation. There is no minimum or maximum donation amount. For details and contact information, check the Troop Area.

Behind the Scenes

The Troop Committee purpose is to assist Troop 54 in its planning and execution of the Scouting program. Members of the committee serve in various capacities such as Treasurer, Secretary, Advancement, Fund Raising, Camping etc. The Scouts of Troop 54 may not know the committee members as well as they know their uniformed leaders, but the job of the Committee is no less important.

The Committee is always looking for parents to become registered leaders and help out as Assistant Scoutmasters by helping the scouts work on their rank advancements and outdoor skills. No experience is required and formal training is available to interested parents. A desire to spend time helping your son and his friends at Troop meetings and on weekend camping trips is all that is necessary.

Alternatively, please consider a position on the Troop Committee. We have several positions open (please see Troop Positions List). All that is required is to attend a monthly Committee meeting and the desire to help your son, the Troop and support a great organization. Please volunteer!

Change to: The Troop Committee meets on the first Monday of each month at 8:00 pm in the United Methodist Church. Please email John Blehl (Committee Chairman) at committeechair@troop54nj.com for more information.

Advancement

The Scouting program provides many opportunities for you to learn skills and take part in terrific adventures. It also recognizes your achievements by awarding badges of rank. In order to encourage advancement, all scouts working on their Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks are required to bring their Scout Handbooks to every troop meeting and campout. Without your book, you can’t be signed off when you complete a requirement. Parents, please see that your son has a Boy Scout Handbook and brings it to the troop meetings and packs it when he goes camping. Any registered Adult Scout Leaders can signoff on requirements

Steps Required for Rank Advancement

1. Review all the requirements needed for rank advancement. Make sure that all the requirements have been signed off in your Scout Handbook.

2. For ranks up to First Class, be sure that you understand the meaning as well as be able to recite the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan and Outdoor Code, in addition to knowing all the requirements required for the rank.

3. For ranks above First Class, be sure that you have completed the total number of required merit badges (Eagle and non-Eagle) needed for the rank advancement. Also make sure that your time in rank, service hours and position of responsibility have been completed. Remember that you are expected to be able to answer questions referring to requirements for lower ranks as well. You should be building on your Scouting skills, not forgetting what you have already learned.

4. Schedule a Scoutmaster’s Conference to assure that you have completed all of your requirements. Be prepared to ask any questions about requirements that you are not sure of, or have forgotten. Bring your Scout Handbook to show that all requirements have been signed off. For ranks above First Class, bring your “blue cards” to verify completion of merit badges in case the troop’s records were not updated. Be sure that the Scoutmaster signs your book, verifying that you have satisfactorily completed the conference.

5. Call Mrs Reilly after successfully completing all of the above steps.  Call at least a week in advance to schedule your review.  Boards of Review will normally be scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month.  You can only have one Board of Review a night.  Do not wait until the week of the Court of Honor to schedule a Board of Review, it may be too late, especially if a requirement has not been completed.  These instructions should be taped into the back of your Scout Handbook so that they don’t get lost.

6. For your Board of Review, remember to show up in full Class A uniform and have your Scout Handbook, or else you will not be able to have a Board of Review.

Eagle Scout Trail to Eagle

The Patriots' Path Council has compiled a thorough list of the steps involved in completing your Eagle Scout Rank. All Life Scouts should reference this information on the Patriots' Path website, "The Trail to Eagle Resources Guide", which is available here.