About Troop 156

Troop Overview

• The troop philosophy is a Boy-led program with a focus on patrol based Scouting consistent with the design of the program.

• Meetings are held on Monday night and begin at 7:00 pm and usually end by 8:30 pm.

• Has been charted by St. Michael's Episcopal Church for over 40 years.

• Recognized as a Gold Level Quality Unit.

• Average number of Assistant Scout Masters is 8.

• Average number of Scouts is 25.

• Has equipment on hand for new Scouts to use for camping, hiking, canoeing.  Has access to loner equipment for any new Scout needing it.

• Attends three major "High Adventure" outings:

  • Philmont Trek:  Every other year.  Scouts must be at least 14 years old and hold the rank of First Class.

  • Appalachian Trail Hike:  Annually during Fall Break.  Scouts must be at least 13 years old and hold the rank of First Class.

  • Whitewater Canoe School:  Annually during August.  Scouts of all ages are encouraged to attend.  Passing the BSA Swim test is required.

• The annual youth membership fee is $82 for 2024.  There will also be a onetime BSA joining fee for new members of $25. If a Scout has been registered in the last five years, BSA will not charge the new member fee.

• About 5 members in the troop belong to the OA (Order of the Arrow).

Scouts Joining the Troop

• Complete the BSA membership form and pay annual membership dues in addition to one time BSA Joining Fee if not registered within the last five years.

• Ages between 11 and 17 years old. 

• Parents must attend "New Scout/Parent" mandatory meeting.

• Purchase a Scout uniform and handbook.

• Meet each Monday at St. Michael's Episcopal Church from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

• Contact Betsy Huddleston or Pat Parry for more information.

My 11-17 Year Old Female Child Wants to Join a Scout Troop 

Boy Scouts of America now allows females ages 11-17 to join the Scouts BSA Troop.  Boy Scout troops are now named Scouts BSA Troops.  Scouts BSA Troops are either all male youth or all female youth and co-ed troops are not allowed.  Scouts BSA Troop 156 is an all male youth troop.  If you have a female that wants to join Scouting - Cookeville, TN has a female troop.   Scouts BSA Troop 2319 meets at the Magnolia House - which is located on the corner of North Madison Avenue and Freeze Street (right next to the Troop 108 Scout Hut). Troop 2319 is chartered by the Cookeville First United Methodist Church.  

You can get more information about Troop 2319 by contacting the individuals below:

Scoutmaster - Keven Dubois - Cell: 615-688-2212 - smsscout@gmail.com

Annah Dubois - Cell: 615-720-2374 - kageplusscouts@gmail.com

Jessica Buckner - Cell: 931-644-2598 - jessicabuckner@gmail.com

The Parents Role in Scouting

Involved Parents are one of the most important factors that determine how a Scout will be in Boy Scouts.  Scouts with parents actively involved in the troop are generally more involved and more likely to succeed on their journey to Eagle Scout.

Being an involved parent takes time and effort, but it is rewarding and enjoyable.  The many active parents is one of the primary reasons Troop 156 is successful.  There will be activities which match your talents.  Parental involvement is vital to your son as well as to our other Scouts.  That involvement can be as part of the Troop Committee or as an Assistant Scoutmaster. 

There are many positions on the Committee that are vital to running the troop.  If you have experience and are interested in volunteering for Secretary, Treasurer, Advancement, Training, Board of Reviews, Transportation, Popcorn, Court of Honors, Eagle Scribe, etc., please contact Betsy Huddleston, the Committee Chair.

If you are interested in attending outings as an Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM) or joining the troop as a Committee Member or , you will need to register with Troop 156, BSA, and additionally complete required training.  You will need to fill out an Adult Leader application with the troop and the cost will be Cost will be $60.00 annually and $2.00 for insurance (only due at recharter only), a total of $62.00 annually.  Additionally, you will be required to complete Youth Protection Training, Leader Specific Training, and for ASMs - any Outdoor Leadership Skills Training and Weather Hazards Training.  You will also need to have an annual physical in order to attend any outings.  Depending upon the nature of the outing, a swim test may be required, or other training as needed.  All Assistant Scoutmasters conduct themselves based upon the guidance of BSA policy, the guidance of the Scoutmaster (SM) and the applicable Committee Chairs.  If you are interested in becoming an adult volunteer or an ASM please contact Betsy Huddleston, Committee Chair, or Pat Parry, Scoutmaster, for more information.  See the first paragraph of this page for contact phones and emails.

THE AIMS AND METHODS OF BOY SCOUTING

The Scouting program has three specific objectives, commonly referred to as the "Aims of Scouting." They are character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.

The methods by which the aims are achieved are listed below in random order to emphasize the equal importance of each.

Ideals

The ideals of Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout slogan. The Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are high, and, as he reaches for them, he has some control over what and who he becomes.

Patrols

The patrol method gives Scouts an experience in group living and participating citizenship. It places responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys and girls how to accept it. The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in small groups where they can easily relate to each other. These small groups determine troop activities through their elected representatives.

Outdoor Programs

Scouts BSA is designed to take place outdoors. It is in the outdoor setting that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with one another. It is here that the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an appreciation for God's handiwork and humankind's place in it. The outdoors is the laboratory for Scouts to learn ecology and practice conservation of nature's resources.

Click here to read the Troop Cell Phone Policy:  Troop Cell Phone Policy

Advancement

Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.

Association with Adults

Scouts learn a great deal by watching how adults conduct themselves. Scout leaders can be positive role models for the members of their troops. In many cases a Scoutmaster who is willing to listen to boys, encourage them, and take a sincere interest in them can make a profound difference in their lives.

Personal Growth

As Scouts plan their activities and progress toward their goals, they experience personal growth. The Good Turn concept is a major part of the personal growth method of Scouting.   Scouts grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. Probably no device is so successful in developing a basis for personal growth as the daily Good Turn. The religious emblems program also is a large part of the personal growth method. Frequent personal conferences with his Scoutmaster help each Boy Scout to determine his growth toward Scouting's aims.

Leadership Development

The Scouts BSA program encourages Scouts to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a boy accept the leadership role of others and guides him toward the citizenship aim of Scouting.

Uniform

The uniform makes the Scouts BSA troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. Scouting is an action program, and wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Scout's commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Scout identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals. The uniform is practical attire for Scout activities and provides a way for Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished.