About the Troop

62

Years of Service

132

Eagle Scouts

16

Active Members

Who?

Troop 477 is one of four Scout Troops in Dexter, MI. We are members of the Michigan Crossroads Council, Huron Trails District. Our Charter began on November 30th, 1962. The Troop is sponsored by the Webster United Church of Christ, and the chartered organization representative is Mr. John Whitney.

Costs: The weekend outings and the other assorted expenses, come from two sources:

  1. Monthly Scout Dues
  2. Trip Fees

Cost for outings differs depending on the trip, all information on cost is discussed at our March Parent Meeting and available via our yearly Program Calendar.

When?

Weekly troop meetings are held on Mondays, 7:30-9:00 p.m. Scouts will be informed if there is not a meeting on the Monday following a weekend outing. Scouts are expected to contact the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) if they cannot attend a meeting.

Monthly events, trips, and activities typically occur on Weekends, beginning on Saturday and concluding on Sunday. In the summer, there are additional activities. The Troop always goes to summer camp for a week, usually in July. There is also a week long extended trip for the Troop. These trips have included canoeing in northern Ontario, backpacking the Bruce Trail, seeing the sights of Washington, D.C., and camping along the sand dunes of Lake Michigan. There also are special, high-adventure trips for the older Scouts, like 10 days of backpacking at Philmont Scout Ranch in northern New Mexico.

Summer Camp is, perhaps the most important of the summer activities. It is when the Scouts get to live and learn by the patrol method. They learn to work, cook and interact together. The boys take merit badge classes and work on advancement and Scout skills.

Court of Honor’s are held periodically throughout the year to recognize scout achievements. Traditionally in the month of March, a Parent’s Meeting is held to discuss summer camp and extended/high adventure trips.

Community Service Events provide Scouts an opportunity to give back to the community.

Where?

We meet at the Scout cabin, called the “Eagle’s Nest”. It was built by Scouts and their families in 1993 at the intersection of Webster-Church Road and Farrell Road. The address is 5545 Webster-Church Road, Dexter, MI 48130.

How?

Scouts:
The Scout leadership of the troop consists of the senior patrol leader (SPL) and his Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPL). Scouts serve in leadership positions for six months at a time. The troop elects the SPL and the SPL and the Scoutmaster pick his assistants. Additionally, there are many other leadership positions, ranging from Quartermaster and Scribe to Patrol Leader. The Scouts in the troop are organized into patrols and the Scouts elect their own patrol leaders.

Troop Leaders:
At each meeting there are a number of adult leaders also in uniform. These are typically the people who teach Scout skills for advancement and merit badge classes. Leading the troop is Scoutmaster Scott Verna and he is supported by a number of Assistant Scoutmasters and Merit Badge Counselors.

Troop Committee:
The Troop Committee consists of a broader group of adults that provides leadership and guidance to the overall Scouting program. The committee, headed by Chairman Dave Kluck, meets monthly to review programming, handle finances, and provide oversight for the wide range of activities of the troop. Committee meetings are held at the Scout cabin, typically the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. and meetings are open to scout families.

What?

Uniform: Scouts should attend all meetings and outings wearing the Class “A” uniform.
A Class “A” uniform consists of the following:

  • Scout Pants or Shorts
  • Scout Belt
  • Scout Shirt
  • Neckerchief
  • Slide
  • Beret
  • Scout Socks

Class “B” uniforms are acceptable at meetings and summer camp. A Class “B” uniform includes all of the items in a Class “A” except that the Scout shirt is a Troop 477 T-shirt.

Outings Guidelines:

  • It is expected that Scouts attend the Monday meeting prior to an outing.
  • When traveling on outings, Scouts are expected to wear the Class “A” uniform.
  • Scouts are asked not to bring electronic devices (i.e., cd/mp3 players, game boys, cell phones etc.) or cards/games on outings.
  • Permission slips are to be completed and kept in the Scout’s uniform pants pocket.
  • Physical / Medical forms need to be up to date.

A Scout is Reverent (the 12th point of the Scout Law): The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no boy can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God. Although the Webster United Church of Christ sponsors our troop, we gladly accept Scouts of all faiths. While we do not provide religious instruction (the responsibility of a boy’s parents or guardian and his religious institution) we actively participate in “Reverent Actions” which include:

  • Grace before meals.
  • Prayers before, during, and after special events and outings.
  • Mandatory attendance at an outing’s non-denominational religious service. Our troop’s Chaplain’s Aid, senior scout, or adult leader conducts this service. At larger multi-troop Camporees, the Camporee organizers generally provide this service.
  • Encouraging all Scouts to take part in the religious emblems program offered by their denomination.
  • Considering religious holidays during Troop program planning.