About T496

For FAQ’s click HERE.

For MEETING INFO, click HERE.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TROOP 496

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Meeting Times: Weekly on Monday evenings, year-round excluding MISD school holidays, from 7:00-8:30 pm at the Trinity Presbyterian Church on Virginia Parkway in McKinney TX.
• Charter: Troop 496 was chartered April 1996 under the sponsorship of the Trinity Presbyterian Church in McKinney. As of 2008, 23 Scouts have advanced to the rank of EAGLE.
• Attributes: Our goals are to enjoy the scouting experience, instill fellowship among our scouts across age and interests, build leadership and competence, and offer a broad range of enriching experiences and activities. Our focus is on teamwork. Troop 496 builds camaraderie by working together and by appreciating the unique attributes of each scout regardless of age, rank, and background. We are family-friendly, tolerant of conflicts due to school or sports schedules, and encourage all parents to be Adult Leaders and Merit Badge Counselors, regardless of gender. We believe Scouting to be a self-paced adventure, not a race.
• Patrols: we have 4 Scout Patrols—Trolls, Flaming Flying Squirrels, Golden Falcons and Beavers, in which we mix ages and ranks so that the wisdom of our seasoned scouts passes on to newer members. Newer scouts assume increasingly greater leadership roles under the oversight of those who have done it before. The older boys mentor and guide the newer scouts, ensuring that all are given ability-appropriate responsibilities.  In addition to the Scout Patrols, we have a Patrol for adult leaders –the Old Bats.
• Uniforms: The Troop 496 uniform consists of an official tan Scout shirt, bolo tie, & green web belt with blue jean pants/shorts and scout or white socks. The uniform is worn to all troop meetings, and when traveling. Scout shorts, pants, or socks are optional. The Troop 496 furnishes the Troop numeral as well as all rank and position patches.
• Website: Our website, www.troop496.org, provides virtual access to rosters, calendars, photo galleries, Scout forms, camp gear packing lists, and campsite directions. These areas are restricted to troop members only to protect our Scouts.

LEADERSHIP

• Elections are held every 6 months. These include troop and patrol positions. Nominations are solicited 2 weeks before the Scouts vote. Leaders work to ensure that all Scouts are afforded leadership opportunities for rank advancement.
• Quarterly Court of Honor ceremonies are held to recognize rank advancements and award merit badges.
• Troop 496 promotes the Order of the Arrow, the national honor society of the BSA. This service organization to which Scouts are elected, runs several service ordeals and often staffs Camporee and Oak Leaf events for regular scouts.
• Troop 496 promotes Golden Acorn Junior Leadership Training and Oak Leaf Leadership Training

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ACTIVITIES

• Weekend Campouts: Campouts are typically monthly, from Friday early evening until midday on Sunday. Encompass a variety of activities including backpacking, canoeing, biking, snow skiing, and water sports.
• Summer & Winter Camp: Troop 496 also attends Summer and Winter Camp each year. These week-long campouts held at Council campsites emphasize merit badge achievement.
• Adventure Trips: We have an adventure/extended trip each year which last about 10-14 days.  Past trips have included National Scout Jamborees, Philmont (2006, 2009), Sea Base (2007), Current River canoe trip (2009), Houston Space Center (2007), and Colorado White Water Rafting (2008).
• Day Events: Troop 496 also enjoys a number of day events including Webelos University, Raingutter Regatta, Merit Badge College, Pig Roast/Bonfire,(‘Leroy the Pig’ – our latest distinguished guest of honor, was enjoyed by all this November…), as well as laser tag, indoor rock climbing, & indoor swimming. In December we host our annual Christmas Party Pot Luck & Chinese Gift Exchange.

GEAR & SUPPLIES

• Scouts provide their own uniforms, however, the troop provides the Troop numerals and all rank and position patches. Scouts purchase their own BSA Scout Handbook and are encouraged to maintain a 3-ring binder with several sleeves of baseball card holders to store paperwork, merit badge awards, and rank advancements.
• For camping, each scout supplies his own sleeping bag, thermal pad, mess-kit, and backpack. Optional items may be a mosquito netting and frame for use during the summer.
• Troop 496 owns three cargo trailers:  (2- 5×8 and 1-7×16) which are available to haul our tents, stoves, lanterns, cookware, ice chests, and other miscellaneous gear for use at Troop campouts and events. We have patrol-specific chuck boxes that enable patrols to manage their own tasks for troop meal setup, serving, and cleanup.  All equipment is stored off-site in a secure storage facility.
• T496 also owns its own bus, which is utilized to transport Scouts and leaders to campouts and functions.  The bus (affectionately named the Scout Assault Vehicle) is operated by leaders with CDL licenses trained in the operation of the bus.

FINANCIAL

• Fundraising: TROOP 496 DOES NOT SELL AS A MEANS OF OBTAINING FUNDS.  Instead, we derive our income from 2 activities: Stonebridge Directory deliveries, and McKinney Rotary Club flag distribution/retrieval.  Two times per year we gather for DIRECTORY NIGHT—an evening of pizza and ice cream where we assemble directory packages and collect our delivery boxes. Families typically have 2-3 weeks to complete their assigned routes. Additionally, on 5 national holidays we handle flag displays throughout McKinney neighborhoods for the Rotarians. For both fundraisers, new scouts are typically paired with experienced scouts to learn the way. Participation in all fundraisers is required.
• Dues & Fees: Annual charter dues are $40 per Scout and $10 for each Adult Leader and include a subscription to BSA’s Boy’s Life monthly magazine, a troop T-shirt and cap. There are no weekly dues.  Weekend campouts typically cost $15 per Scout. The troop subsidizes some select activities and attendance at week-long campouts and adventure trips, – amounts depending on the cost of the trip and the number of Scouts attending.
• Troop 496 supports the regional Circle 10 Council with a donation to “Friends of Scouting” in lieu of competing against popcorn sales by the local Cub Scout Packs.