Troop 1563 was chartered by Bethany United Methodist Church in 1976. Since then, our Troop membership has steadily increased to our current roster of 27 Scouts. All of our registered adult leaders are trained and several have completed Scouting's premier adult leader training course - Wood Badge.
Troop 1563 strives for the Boy-led Troop philosophy. Meetings and activities are planned by the Patrol Leaders Council and led by our elected youth leadership. Adult leaders and parents serve as important guides for our Scouts. If you attend a Troop meeting it may seem in disarray, chaotic, or just going wrong, (and it may be at times), and it's hard to step back as an adult and not jump in, but we must, as it all serves as important tools to help our Scouts learn and develop their leadership skills.
While we do fun activities, our Troop focuses on and encourages our Scouts to rise to the rank of Eagle. Our weekly Troop meetings tend to focus on rank advancement and merit badges. Except for the merit badges, Scout skills and rank advancement requirements are taught to Scouts by Scouts using the EDGE method. Scouts are "learning and leading by doing".
We have many active adults as well. We have a Troop Committee that meets monthly, parents that help chaperone activities, drive our Scouts to/from activities, make/bring food for Courts of Honor, serve as merit badge counselors, and just offer support and encouragement to all our Scouts.
So what does our Troop offer? 1. Weekly Troop Meetings (Aug - May)
a. Focus on Rank advancement and merit badges
b. Webelos visits twice a year
2. Activities
a. Yearly CPR Training
b. Ice fishing/Rocketry weekend
c. Rank Advancement Saturday
d. Lock- In
e. Curling Night @ GB Curling Club
f. National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)
g. Troop Leadership Training (TLT)
h. Monthly PLC meetings
i. Scout Sunday
3. Camping
a. Spring Camp-O-Ree (District sponsored)
b. Fall Camp-O-Ree (District sponsored)
c. Summer camp - Bear Paw, Gardner Dam, Hiawatha or Other
d. Bethany Haven (Church's own camp site)
4. Merit Badges
a. Eagle required - at least one registered counselor within our Troop for each of the 16 badges
b. Elective - registered counselors within our Troop for at least 40 of the 130+ merit badges
c. Opportunities to attend Merit badge clinics in Bonduel, Milwaukee, UW Fox-Valley, etc.
5. Eagle Scouts
a. We have produced 87 Eagle Scouts since charter in 1977.
6. Fundraising
a. Packer Parking
b. Popcorn sales
c. Aluminum cans
d. Seroogy's candy bars
e. Kwik Trip & Shell Scrip cards
f. Festival and Pick 'n Save Scrip cards
7. Order of The Arrow (Scouting's Honor Society)
a. 11 registered Scouts in the OA - 2 whom completed Brotherhood
b. 10 registered Adults in OA - 5 completed Brotherhood, 2 Vigil Members
c. Troop holds yearly elections for new OA members
d. OA members participate in service outside troop service opportunities
8. High Adventure Activities
a. Philmont - New Mexico (Council Sponsored)
b. Northern Tier/Boundary Waters - Northern Minnesota (Venture Crew invite)
c. Pine River canoeing - Northern Wisconsin (Troop Sponsored)
d. National Jamboree Summit Bechtel Reserve - West Virginia (Council Sponsored)
e. Medicine Mountain - South Dakota (Troop Sponsored)
9. Service Opportunities
a. Scouting for Food
b. Ashwaubenon Clean Up Day
c. Eagle Projects
d. Various Community Based Service Projects
10. Uniform and Equipment
a. Scout uniforms are required for all Troop meetings (tan Scout shirt - tucked in, dark green shoulder loops, all correct patches and neckerchief or bolo - that's it!)
b. On camping outings, the troop provides the tents and kitchens (stoves, cooking equipment, clean up, etc)
c. Scouts must have their own:
* Scout handbook
* Mess Kit
* Personal Equipment when camping
11. Other info
a. 4 Scouts attended the 2013 National Jamboree (2 of which are in leadership positions); 1 scout leader on staff
b. Troop members chosen for NYLT Staff each year
c. Troop members serve as staff at Scout camp during the summer
d. Troop member has attended National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) in New Mexico