Welcome to Scouts BSA Troop 1 Greenville, part of the Northwest district of the Narragansett Council. We are proud to be one of the more active troops in the area. We are also proud to have the Greenville Baptist Church as a sponsor. They provide us with our meeting place and storage for troop gear. Our troop is open to all boys between the ages of 11 (or who have completed 5th grade) and 17 years.
The scout troop is divided into smaller patrols in keeping with the beliefs of scouting's founder, Robert Baden-Powell. The patrol is the central unit of the troop. Every patrol is made up of boys representing a cross-section of ages and ranks who help each other along the Road to Eagle Scout. Many activities are centered within the patrol, such as meetings, teaching sessions, and other teamwork-building functions.
A key goal and motto of the Boy Scouts of America is "Scouting is Fun".
At the troop level, we try to take part in as many district and council activities as possible. This may include camporees and inter-Troop competitions such as the Klondike derby. Scouts may take part in Round Tables which help in improving their leadership abilities as well as furthering their understanding of scouting aims and methods.
The highlight of the year is the annual one-week campout at the Camp Yawgoog Scout Reservation. At Yawgoog, the Scouts will earn skill awards, merit badges and may advance in rank. They also compete as patrols and as a troop against the other scout patrols and troops attending Yawgoog. The ultimate goal is for patrols to earn the "Honor Patrol" award and thus for the troop to earn "Honor Troop".
The Troop also organizes many other activities such as suppers, monthly campouts, and weekly meetings, including high adventure backpacking to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. We are always looking for new ideas for troop events.
One of the things you will notice about the Boy Scouts is that the boys themselves provide much of the troop leadership; this is in keeping with the scout goals of developing leadership skills as scouts get older. The job of the Scoutmaster, his assistants, and the boy's parents is to provide the guidance necessary for learning and practicing scout ideals. We also help teach scouting concepts and help structure troop activities. Unlike Cub Scouts, however, the basic motivation must come from the boys themselves.
Each scout sets his own pace for awards and advancement. We as parents and scout leaders can help them get interested in scouting concepts and ideals, and to develop character through achievement and healthy competition. We can also provide the tools for scouting's educational experience. In doing so both adults and scouts can have fun!
Once again welcome to Troop 1 Greenville. May the scouting years with us be rewarding, educational, and fun!
Sincerely,
Matthew Lynn
Scoutmaster