Boy Scouting is about training junior leaders, and this is done through the Troop Program: planning an event, carrying through on those plans, and experiencing the event. This is in addition to the skill, merit badges, and rank advancement aspects of Boy Scouting. As parents, it is important that you understand the Boy Scout program and that your son be encouraged to take advantage of all aspects of it (see section on "Methods of Scouting"). It is equally important that the Scouting program be allowed to work. Because boys have greater or lesser leadership talents, some of our programs will be more successful than others. What is most important is that all of our events be good learning experiences for the boys. If, on the most dismal trip, we hear a boy say, "We should have done it this way, not that way'" or, "We should have thought about that possibility before we left," then it was a very successful event. As a boy rises higher in rank and responsibility it is even more important that he attend troop meetings and campouts because it is the more experienced Scouts who plan and run these events.

Uniforms: The wearing of the Boy Scout uniform is an important part of Scouting in Troop 61. It encourages a sense of identity, fosters a feeling of belonging, and promotes the ideal of equality in the brotherhood of Scouting. Troop 61 requires a Class A uniform of Scout shirt. Scouts are expected to be in uniform for all troop meetings. Council events, training events and field trips (unless specifically told otherwise). The Class B uniform consists of a Scout T-shirt (such as a Scout Camp T-shirt) worn with Scout pants or shorts. The Class B uniform is optional and may be worn at campouts, at summer camp (except at retreat and dinner), and on certain designated troop events, but not to troop meetings or when traveling to any Scouting event.

Safety: Troop 61 strives for the safest and most accident-free possible events in all of our program areas. A permission slip with a parent’s signature is required on any troop activity taking place off the church property, even if a parent is attending the event. In case of a medical emergency, we carry a copy of each boy’s summer camp medical form on all our campouts and the permission slip authorizes treatment.

New Members: Boys who are interested in joining the troop are welcome at any Scout meeting for a visit. A new boy will be given a Scout application that must be filled out by the parents and the boy. The annual dues are $60.00, which covers  a subscription to "Boys' Life" and registration with the Boy Scouts of America. A new Scout is encouraged to get a Boy Scout Handbook and a uniform as soon as possible (see section on uniforms). We encourage all parents of new Scouts to come and meet the leaders of the troop. Parents are welcome at all troop meetings and Troop Committee meetings.

Camping Costs: Troop 61 usually camps 10 weekends each year. The cost of a campout is usually about  $25.00 per person. $10.00 of this is collected by an Adult leader to cover campsite rental, equipment fees, etc.  $15.00 is collected by each patrol  to cover the cost of food.  Each patrol is responsible for their own menus and food purchase.  The difference between what is collected and actually spent is adjusted when collecting the next month's food fee.  Please be prepared to pay the camping fee separately--$10.00 to an adult leader and the food fee to the patrol.