FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Can my child join Scouts BSA if they were not a Cub Scout?
A: Absolutely! As long as they are not yet 18 and 11 years old or 10 years old and finished 5th grade.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: There is a yearly rechartering membership fee of $90, optional Scout Life subscription for $15, and troop dues of $50. The recharter fee goes directly to the council. The dues stay in the troop and pay for rank badges, class B t-shirt, insignia, etc the troop provides to your scout when they join.
There are also several fundraising opportunities for scouts to fund their activities.
Q: What about the uniform?
A: Each scout should have at least the uniform shirt, neckerchief and slide will be provided. By the time they reach the rank of First Class they should have aquired the full uniform including pants (a great present idea). We do have some outgrown uniform shirts and pants – just ask a leader for assistance. For more information about uniform guidelines visit here.
Q: My scout’s schedule is full of other activities too. Will this affect their advancement and participation?
A: Well, yes and no. Most of our scouts are also in sports, band, church groups, and other activities. Since our program takes place all year round, there is always an opportunity for youth to be in Scouts while enjoying their other activities. Many of our Eagle Scouts have been very active in extracurricular and community activites.
Q: Your troop does a lot of outdoor activities and trips, can parents or family members go on any of the trips?
A: Yes! We encourage families to participate in their Scout’s activities. Younger siblings must be accompanied by a parent. On occasion we do hold an outing that is restricted to scouts or a specific rank due to event/facility requirements or trip difficulty.
Adults not registered to the Troop may be required to to fill out additional paperwork for background checking through Council for the safety of our youth.
Q: Will my scout be safe?
A: The leadership of Troop 490 takes your scout’s safety very seriously. All leaders are subjected to a criminal background check by Prairielands Council upon joining and annually beyond that. All leaders must also complete Youth Protection Training through the National BSA before being allowed to register. Other trainings include Position Specific Training, Outdoor Leader Skills, Safety Afloat, Wilderness First Ard, and Hazardous Weather training. Most trainings must be renewed every two years. For more information on the BSA’s guidelines for protecting our youth, visit their youth protection page. If you have specific concerns, reach out to the Scoutmaster or the Committee Chair.