You and your son are looking to join the largest youth organization in the world, and what we believe is the best Troop in Chester County! We are happy that you have chosen to review Troop 216. This page will help you to learn a bit about Scouting, to discover what makes Troop 216 a successful troop, and to find answers to many of your questions.
Who Can Join?
Troop 216 welcomes any interested boy of Scout age; that is, he is either 11 years old or has completed the fifth grade or has earned the Webelos Arrow of Light (whichever occurs first). A boy does not have to graduate from Cub Scouts or Webelos to become a Boy Scout.
We encourage you to visit some other troops so you can be sure that Troop 216 is the best troop for you.
How Your Son Benefits from Scouting
Troop 216 is a Scout run troop. We have an exceptionally active, challenging, and far ranging outdoors program. Scouting is much more than just a wholesome and enjoyable activity. Scouting is a program that does not require a young man to be the biggest, best, or toughest. Instead, it gives him the opportunity to do his best while being rewarded and recognized for it. Active Scouts develop initiative, leadership, self-reliance, and self-confidence. Scouting helps boys become good citizens of strong character, who will be leaders and achievers in the adult world. They also practice having adventure and fun, and learn how to lead other Scouts in continuous learning, fun and adventure.
How Boy Scouting Differs from Cub Scouting
You may be surprised how different Boy Scouts is from Cub Scouts. But then, boys of Scout age are very different from boys of Cub age. Here are some key contrasts: The Cub Scout program is family-centered. Adults plan all activities, and most activities lend themselves to full family participation.The Boy Scout program is boy-centered. Boys plan all activities (with adult guidance), and most activities do NOT lend themselves to family participation (because boys camp and function as patrol groups under their own elected boy leadership).
Boys and adults other than a boy’s parents conduct all Boy Scout advancement. Camping is the very heart of the Boy Scout program.Adults (usually the boy’s parents) conduct all Cub Scout advancement. Cub Scout camping is extremely limited, even for Webelos.Because Boy Scout advancement is so different from Cub Scout and Webelos advancement, few Webelos Scouts are prepared for Scout advancement. Cub Scout advancement is done mostly with parents. Webelos advancement is done mostly in-groups with the Webelos leaders. In either case, adults determine the timing and course of the boy’s advancement with little input from the boy. On the other hand, a Boy Scout has total control over his own advancement. Every advancement opportunity will be made available to the Scout, and he will accomplish the advancement mostly on an individual basis working with other Scouts, with senior Scouts, and with a number of different adults
Meetings
Troop 216 meets at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 103 Village Ave. in Lionville, on the second floor of the rear of the church, every Monday year round from 7:00 - 8:30 PM. Generally on the first meeting of every month, the youth Scout leaders have a PLC (Patrol Leaders Meeting) to determine the monthly meeting themes and discuss the troop meetings, and outing program plans). If a meeting date coincides with a National holiday, there will not be a meeting. (There are also no meetings on Mondays coinciding with Downingtown school holidays, plus the Mondays associated with July 4th, summer camp week, and the Monday after camp week.) During the meetings we work on merit badges, scout skills, and occasionally we ask outside speakers to entertain the Troop with interesting topics. Sometimes we meet at recreational facilities or visit a community service organization such as a police or fire station.
Parents are always welcome at our meetings.