About Our Troop

Troop 175 was chartered in 1986 and is sponsored by the Peachtree City United Methodist Men’s Club

• Our chartering membership was 5 boys and 3 adults.
• Today our current roster has 86 active Scouts and 60 registered adult leaders.
• The average age of our Scouts is 13.9 years.
• Troop 175 has matriculated over 100 Eagle Scouts.
• Over twenty years of having great young men!

Salient Principles

• The Boy is the most important element of the troop and the Adult Leader’s job!
  
• Personal and individual growth of each boy.
• Development of character and integrity.
• Development of self-esteem and the ability to laugh at himself.
• Development of initiative and leadership.
• Learn both outdoor and life skills.
• Achieve personal advancement and recognition.
• Have fun doing all of the above!

Meetings

• We meet Mondays in the Scout Lodge at the Peachtree City United Methodist Church, Robinson Road.
• Start time for the meeting is at 7:30 PM - Scouts should arrive at 7:15 PM.
• We meet until 9:00 PM.
• During the school year, we do not meet on the Monday following a weekend outing.
• The only acceptable dress for Troop meetings is the Scout uniform.

Outings

• Our goal is one outing that includes an overnight stay per month.
• We alternate between short and long distance trip outings.
• We primarily do "site" camping.
• But we do take 1 or 2 backpacking trips a year.
• We like to climb, rappel, & shoot.
• We generally view camping as a way to relax and have fun.
• We like technology-computers, radios, and science.
• We often go out of council to Northern Georgia for summer camp.
• We have an annual summer "Water Weekend" ski trip. We have an annual "Troop Bowling Trip" between Christmas and New Years.
• Monthly outing fees average $12.40

Fees Approved by the Troop Committee on 11/12/06:

• Annual Youth dues are $75.00.
  • $50.00 annual equipment fee
  • Annual troop registration fee is ~$25.00-this fee is pro-rated
    for Scouts entering during the year.
• Annual Adult dues are $10.00
• Quarterly Transportation Fee of $20.00 assessed per family. This fee pays for:
  • Gas for the bus and support vehicles on trips
  • Insurance and maintenance for the bus

Finance & Accounting

• All charges and payments including parents activity fees are posted to a single family account.
• Account statements are provided to families frequently. 

Uniforming

• The official Boy Scout Uniform is the expected dress for our Scouts and Leaders:
• Boy Scout tunic
• Boy Scout shorts & socks (2 pair recommended for Summer Camp)
• No Belt or Neckerchief (Scout will make a patrol belt from troop provided materials)
• Hat - custom, obtained from troop.
• Patches:
• Flint River Council patch and "175" on left sleeve.
• Troop 175 keeps a uniform locker of used uniform parts. Help recycle and save $$$.

Medical Form

• Each Scout is required to have a completed BSA "Class 2 Medical Form"
• This form must be carried by the Troop while on trips.
• This form requires completion by the Scout’s physician.
• Generally, most doctors who are seeing the Scout on a regular basis will complete the form without requiring a visit.

Equipment the Troop Provides

• Troop 175 provides the following equipment
  for Scout use on outings:
• Tents, Tarps, Stoves, Lanterns, & Fuel
• Field Cook Kits, eating/cooking utensils
• Transport and storage Patrol Boxes
• Shovels & Saws
• Rifles & Ammunition
• Coolers
• Bulk water containers
• Rope

Equipment you will need to acquire first

• Small personal First Aid Kit--you can make this using a zip-loc bag and first aid supplies from home.
• Include, different sizes of Band-Aids, alcohol wipes, Neosporin, and tweezers-Scouts are forever encountering splinters and thorns.
• Small flashlight and belt case--Wal-Mart & Kmart carry these.
• They use 2 AA batteries and have a black nylon holder that attaches to your belt. They cost about $10.
• Heavy duty plastic cup-Wal-Mart & Kmart -about $2.
• Heavy duty plastic bowl-Wal-Mart & Kmart -about $2.
• Metal cups, bowls, & plates are strongly discouraged-they conduct heat quickly to the Scout’s fingers causing burns and spillage.
• The cup should have a handle that allows the Scout to insert 3-4 fingers through the handle to obtain a strong grip.
• Poncho or raincoat (orange or yellow- Wal-Mart & Kmart -about $6)
• Canteen/Water bottle-heavy duty plastic recommended.

Equipment you will need to acquire next

• Ok…let’s don’t rush into a buying frenzy here…you can spend a bunch of money getting the following items if you don’t buy at the right place or you overbuy.
• Sleeping bag - we recommend the "mummy" sleeping bag from Campmor in New Jersey. You have to order it and it costs ~$59.
• Heavy-duty nylon stuff sack for sleeping bag--this will protect the bag and keep it dry. ~$6.
• Backpack - The troop has approximately 15 backbacks that can be borrowed. In general we recommend the Camp Trails adjustable backpack from Campmor but fitting a backpack to a boy can be tricky, resulting in an uncomfortable and unhealthy fit if not done correctly. ~$60.
• We’ll be glad to consult with you before buying.

Child and Drug Abuse (For the Scout)

• Let’s be candid. If we told you that Glenloch Park was a perfectly safe place for you to play …well…except there was one explosive land mine (which you can’t see) that if you step on it will blow your life out of existence…you wouldn’t think much of our ability to keep you safe…would you?
• Well, I am certain that there are no explosive land mines in Glenloch Park, but we are equally certain that there are other "land mines" that we need to warn you about in our town & state that can bring you great harm or even "blow your life out of existence".
• These "Land mines" are Child Abusers and Drug Abusers:
• The "Child Abuser" is an individual who does not have the proper and full respect for children as human equals -or- has a distorted sexual interest in children --in both cases the child receives both physical and mental harm.
• The "Drug Abuser" most of the time just wants your money but can also be a "Child Abuser" as described above. He will try to get you to try drugs with the goal of getting you "hooked" so you will purchase them. He doesn’t care about you…he just wants money.
• The Child/Drug abusers can be a man, a woman, -or- another child.
• There aren’t many of these people…but they are out in our world and can be anywhere.
• To help protect themselves from bullets, our policemen wear armored vests under their clothing--to protect yourself against these kinds of people--you need to wear an "armored vest" of education, knowledge, and responsibility concerning abuse.
• The BSA Handbook has an excellent chapter in the very front of the book--written for you concerning abuse--sit down with a parent and read and discuss this chapter on how to protect yourself from abusers. Do It Soon!

Child and Drug Abuse (For the Parent)

• The best way to prevent Child and Drug Abuse is through education and candid discussions with your child.
• Parents: Please take the time to sit down with your Scout and candidly discuss these threats.
• Use the "Parent’s Guide" in the front of the BSA Handbook. Do It Soon!