Troop 83 Lionville PA

Trips and Summer Camp

Exploring the great outdoors is the cornerstone of Scout programs. We organize weekend trips at campsites up to an hour away. Occasionally we schedule backyard camping and cooking at Troop family homes for Scouts to practice outdoor skills. Daytrips for hiking, fishing and merit badges are popular activities. The Troop has tents, lanterns, cooking gear and camp stoves. Scouts only bring their own gear.

 

We’ve hiked the Gettysburg National Military Park (earning segments of the Historic Trails Medal), camped and played Frisbee golf in Brandywine State Park, whitewater rafted in the Poconos, and cycled and camped along the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. We’ve also sailed with BSA’s Sea Scouts up the Hudson River to West Point. Last May, we headed to the Poconos to complete the ropes canopy course at Blue Mountain. Scouts look forward to Summer Camp each year for one week, typically late June. We attend Camp Rodney in North East, MD. Located on the Chesapeake Bay, it offers a wide variety of watersports in addition to a full slate of traditional Scout camp activities.

 

Daytrips help Scouts earn merit badges and miles toward hiking awards. We’ve visited the Constitution Center, followed the Philadelphia and Valley Forge BSA National Historic trails, and hiked trails at Hawk Mountain and French Creek State Parks for orienteering. We annually attend Chester County Council’s Klondike Derby Scouting skills competition in January.

 

Community Service

Fundamental in Scouting — community service is integral to our Troop program. For several years, we have organized a special program called Summer of Service that helps many area charities and keeps our Scout families connected with the community and as a Troop over the summer. We volunteer in food drives, Wreaths Across America, township, county, and state park maintenance, township flag commemoration ceremonies, animal rescue organizations, and helping our sponsor, St. Paul’s UCC.

 

Leadership

One of the most important things our boys learn is leadership and self-reliance. Scouts plan and lead most activities within a framework set by the Troop and assisted by the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters.

 

In Troop 83, Scouts annually elect the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) who appoints the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) and various positions such as Webmaster, Historian, Quartermaster, Den Chief, and Scribe. We group Scouts in patrols of 8-10 boys with a range of ages and ranks. The boys elect a fellow patrol member to serve as their Patrol Leader. Together, these leaders form our Green Bar Committee. They meet once per month to plan meetings, trips and meetings. The Scoutmaster and other adults provide guidance — allowing the boys to try and learn with support from adult leadership.

 

Advancement

Troop 83 believes that Scouts choose the pace they want to advance through the BSA program. Or, they can enjoy the activities without focusing on advancement. Our Troop creates ways for Scouts to learn outdoor and leadership skills, participate in community service, and attend outdoor activities. Our goal for all Scouts — regardless if they choose rank advancement — is to gain confidence and learn responsibility for their Scout experience. We expect Scouts to learn to pack for themselves, help the Troop, remember permission slips, keep track of their Scout calendar and respond to emails. If they pursue Rank advancement, they manage their advancement with older scouts and parent leaders. To recognize their progress, Troop 83 holds Court of Honor ceremonies 2-3 times each scout year.