Can you tell me a little bit about Troop 234?
Troop 234 is a Boy Scout Troop that as started in 1972, and is chartered to the South San Jose Kiwanis. We are in the Quicksilver District of the Santa Clara County Council, Boy Scouts of America. We are a traditional (that is, boy-run) troop and this year we are celebrating our 37th year of providing the Scouting experience to boys in the Blossom Valley area. To date the troop has had 41 scouts reach the rank of Eagle Scout, and has been awarded the National Camping Award for the last 14 consecutive years, and the Quality Unit Award for the last 17 consecutive years. Our leadership is well trained, with more than one third completing Woodbadge, the highest level of training available, and has also won numerous awards at the troop, district, and council level.
Where and when does Troop 234 meet?
Troop 234 meets every Thursday at the Santa Teresa Hills Presbyterian Church located at 5370 Snell Avenue, between Blossom Hill and Chynoweth Avenue. The troop meetings are usually 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The Patrol Leaders Council (youth leadership) meets on the last Monday of the month to discuss and plan the upcoming month’s activities, while the Parent's Committee meets on the first Monday of the month.
Google Map of your regular meeting place?
What is the difference between a patrol and a troop?
A patrol is a group of around six to eight boys who work together as a group on activities. If you and your boy were involved in Cub Scouts, the patrol is the equivalent of a den. The troop is the entire group of boys, and is the equivalent of a Cub Scout pack. There are several patrols in each troop.
What does a “boy-run” Troop mean?
A boy-run troop is a troop in which the Scouts themselves make decisions (with guidance and input from the adult leaders) about where they will go camping and what activities they will take part in. The calendar is planned by the Scouts at the annual planning meeting, which usually takes place in October or November of each year. A boy-run troop is also one where the Senior Patrol Leader, a Scout elected to this position by the other Scouts, runs the meetings. In our troop, elections are held every six months.
What about uniforms?
Troop 234 is a “full uniform” troop. That is, we wear the full Scout Uniform to troop meetings, day outings, and to and from our campouts. Uniforms are paid for and maintained by the individual families, but we do have a small collection of “experienced” uniform parts available. Scout uniforms can be purchased at a Scouting retailer (usually the Scout Shop downtown) or online. For patrol meetings and some other activities, a “Class B” uniform is allowed: Scout pants or shorts, and a Scouting-related T-shirt. Each Scout is presented with a red troop 234 T-shirt when he first joins. Once he has reached the rank of Tenderfoot, he is awarded a Kelly green Troop 234 T-shirt with our griffin mascot on the back.
What about camping?
Troop 234 loves to camp! We typically have a campout every month (including the summer months), and are roughly divided evenly between hike-in camps and “car camps”. We attend Boy Scout summer camp for a week each summer (usually at our council’s Camp Hi-Sierra), and attend the “Bear Paw” snow camp and “Camp-O-Ree” events each year. Troop 234 has camping supplies, including tents, stoves, and “patrol boxes”, which contain cooking supplies for the Scouts to use. Each Scout will need to supply his own backpack, sleeping bag, and other miscellaneous personal effects for camping. Parents of Scouts are always welcome to attend our campouts.
Who pays for all of this?
That depends. Here’s a brief list of how it breaks down, including some approximate costs where available.
The Troop Pays For:
The Scout/Family Pays For:
We hold a couple of fund-raisers each year in order to help the troop and Scouts with expenses. We participate in the annual Trail’s End popcorn sale; have a poinsettia sale that begins in November, and other small fund-raisers throughout the year. Generally, the profits from these fund-raisers are divided between the troop and the Scout, so that a Scout who is active in these fund-raisers can help pay for his Scouting experience. The troop’s Treasurer maintains a Scout account for each scout where his earnings are tracked as a subset to the troops overall bank account. The balance of his account is reported on a monthly basis as part of the Treasurer’s report for the Committee Meeting. We do require that all Scouts attending an outing be current on their troop meeting dues. Additionally we request that all families in our troop participate in the Friends of Scouting campaign, which raises much-needed funds for our local Scouting program.
The Troop Pays For:
- Troop gear (stoves, tents, etc)
- Campsite reservation fees
- Troop T-shirts
- Patches (advancement, office, etc.)
- Neckerchiefs (new & advancement)
The Scout/Family Pays For:
- Personal camping gear
- Gas money ($ depends on event distance)
- Meals at campouts ($ depends on the Patrol's menu selection)
- Special event fees
- Scout uniform ($ depends on size & style choices)
- Registration ($11/person per year)
- Boy's Life magazine ($12/year)
- Summer camp fees (~$300/year)
- Yearly Troop Dues ($ Amount based on Committee approved Troop budget)
- Fields of Scouting participation
We hold a couple of fund-raisers each year in order to help the troop and Scouts with expenses. We participate in the annual Trail’s End popcorn sale; have a poinsettia sale that begins in November, and other small fund-raisers throughout the year. Generally, the profits from these fund-raisers are divided between the troop and the Scout, so that a Scout who is active in these fund-raisers can help pay for his Scouting experience. The troop’s Treasurer maintains a Scout account for each scout where his earnings are tracked as a subset to the troops overall bank account. The balance of his account is reported on a monthly basis as part of the Treasurer’s report for the Committee Meeting. We do require that all Scouts attending an outing be current on their troop meeting dues. Additionally we request that all families in our troop participate in the Friends of Scouting campaign, which raises much-needed funds for our local Scouting program.
What about adult participation?
Troop 234 is a very active and effective group of adults who help the boys run the troop. Our troop committee meets monthly, usually the first Monday of the month. We encourage at least one adult from each family to register as a member of our committee, and would love to have your help in a variety of areas. Our Scoutmaster, Bob Varrelmann, is a 19-year veteran of the troop, and has served as our Scoutmaster for the last 14 years. We have a number of active Assistant Scoutmasters who work with Bob to help provide a well-balanced, safe and active Scouting program. Our troop committee helps to make sure that the program is adequately funded, well run, and that all Scouts have the opportunity to participate, and all parents are invited to attend the meetings. Registered adult members have the option of serving on the troop committee (generally in a non-uniformed position) or as an Assistant Scoutmaster (generally in a uniform). Additionally, adults may serve as Merit Badge Counselors in areas of their choosing. Training is available for all positions, and is usually very inexpensive (if not free). Uniforms for adult members are the responsibility of the individual.
How safe is scouting?
Very safe! Troop 234 operates in full compliance with all health and safety regulations as required by the Boy Scouts of America. Our leaders have received training in First Aid/CPR, Youth Protection and other areas determined by their leader position. We firmly believe that Scouting should serve as a “safe place” where boys can grow to be confident, capable young men. We do not tolerate hazing, unhealthy, or unsafe actions from either Scouts or adults. There are no “secret societies” in Boy Scouts, and all meetings and ceremonies are open for parents to observe.
Does Troop 234 have a website?
Yes! You are looking at it, but it is an ongoing work in progress.
What can I expect when my son joins Troop 234?
When your son first joins our troop, he will be placed into a patrol decided upon by the Scoutmaster based on the individual scout and his level of scouting experience to date.
I still have questions about Troop 234.
Scoutmaster Bob Varrelmann or Committee Chair Brian Fajardo would be happy to answer any questions you might have. Head over to the Contact Us page and click on who you would like to email.