Don't forget to submit entries for our Summer Photo Contest!
For Scouts to participate scouts/parents need to:
Complete, sign and submit the Annual Permission slip It is required to be filed with the troop each Sept. before the first trip. Scouts are not permitted to participate without it completed.
Pay Troop annual dues ($50) at the start of the school/scout year in Sept, and no later than 9/30
Med forms
Sign up sheet link for activities before deadline
Pay for activity before deadline
*For scouts needing to bring meds, Parent/Guardian will also need to provide a Med Form (on Forms tab of website) and the meds at the beginning of each trip.
Adults need to:
NEW BSA Rule effective September 1, 2023 In order for adults to go on trips, they must do the paperwork to be a REGISTERED with the troop. This is in addition to providing all of their clearances., All adults staying overnight in connection with a Scouting activity must be currently registered as an adult volunteer or an adult program participant. All adult volunteers must register. Registration as a merit badge counselor position does not meet this requirement. See FAQ for list of approved adult registration fee required positions.
1. Leader Registration form Adult Registration Form
2. BSA Youth Protection Training online YPT Training online (free, 68 mins)
3. Report of Criminal History from the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), free;10-15 minutes PA State Police Criminal History
4. Child Abuse History Clearance from the Department of Human Services, free; 20-30 minutes Child Abuse History Clearance
5. Disclosure Statement for Volunteers who have resided in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the past 10 years. Free, 1 minute.
Only for those that have lived in PA less than 10 years: Fingerprint based FBI Criminal History Clearance submitted through the Department of Human Services, $25.75, 5-10 minutes online and 10-15 minutes at the fingerprinting location
Submit all clearances to BSA Cradle of Liberty Council at this link BSA Council Upload
Provide Chris Dustin chrisdustin.troop137@gmail.com with your completed Leader Registration form and copies of your clearances.
Annual Scout Dues (2 parts)
Troop Annual Dues $50. This is paid directly to the troop via Paypal or Check, this covers the cost of supplies the troop needs throughout the year as well as covers the cost of Merit Badges, Rank Patches and other awards the scouts earn throughout the year.
BSA National Dues. This is paid directly to the BSA in December. Cost is approx. $100. You will receive a membership renewal email directly from the BSA with more info on this.
Cradle of Liberty Council Annual Campaign: Annually, it costs the council approximately $500.00 per scout to provide the scouting program. They ask each family to donate to the Annual Campaign in an amount you are able to in order to cover the $500 average per scout. Some may give less, some more, to help ensure that the council can meet its financial needs. Council's goal is to insure that they can make the scouting program available to as many youths and families as possible, regardless of their financial situation. You can make a donation for this part by visiting https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/COL/Troop137
By comparison to other activities such as sports where all costs are generally loaded in, the cost to be in scouts is intentionally kept low and is a relative bargain even when including the dues, annual campaign donation, and nominal fees for trips.
Med Forms
If you did not go to camp this summer, your BSA Med forms A B C are probably about to expire, please get them done and turned in as soon as possible. A lot of people get athlete physicals for school in August, so while you are at it, get them to fill out all 3 parts of the BSA med form. That way all 3 parts have the same expiration date and it makes it easier for us to keep track