New Family Welcome Packet

Welcome to our Troop!! We are so excited to have you join us!

We are looking forward to welcoming you into the troop during the crossover ceremony.  At the crossover ceremony, members of the troops will present the scouts with their handbook, neckerchief, shoulder loops, patrol numerals, and neckerchief slide – we want to make it a special occasion!

We’ll be handling the transfer from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA through Scoutbook on Friday, February 14th. Whenever you have a moment, please double-check that their Arrow of Light (AOL) rank is marked in Scoutbook. If you need more time than the 14th, please let us know.

As your scout transitions from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA (part of Scouting America), they’ll experience some exciting changes! Here are a few key differences to look forward to:

• Increased Independence: Scouts BSA emphasizes youth leadership. Scouts will have more opportunities to lead activities, plan trips, and make decisions within their patrols.
• Patrol System: Scouts are organized into patrols, which become their core team within the troop. This fosters teamwork, camaraderie, and shared responsibility.
• Personalized Advancement: Advancement in Scouts BSA is designed to be self-paced. Scouts can work towards ranks and merit badges at their own speed, focusing on areas that interest them most. Advancement is no longer tied to age or grade level. This allows scouts to tailor their Scouting experience to their individual goals and learning styles.
• Outdoor Adventures: Troop activities often involve more challenging and extended outdoor experiences, including camping, hiking, and service projects.

Below are some key events for Troops 695 & 8695 that I hope you can attend, and please RSVP HERE.

• Weekly Troop Meeting: 6:30pm-8pm every Monday Blackwell Elementary School unless the school closes.  Blackwell Elementary School.

• First meeting that AOL scouts can attend: February 24th or March 3rd. Either is fine. Both meetings will be focused on advancements so scouts could earn requirements. Scouts aren’t required to wait until after their crossover ceremony to start attending Troop meetings. In fact, if their ceremony isn’t until sometime in March, it would be best if they would start coming in March so that their scout is prepared for Spring camp.

• March 17 Holi Celebration: Our troop is doing our 2nd Annual Holi celebration, a vibrant festival of colors with food, music, and games! The scouts are organizing this event, and it was amazing last year!

• March 21-23 Spring Camping at Camp Shepard: New scouts should plan to attend, and adults are welcome too! This is a great first camping trip. We will be staying at a Scout Camp in heated cabins. Scouts will prepare their own food in their patrols. Scout bunk together with other scouts of similar age and gender.  Adults are separate. This trip costs approximately $35-45 Including food.

• May 2-3, ADA Tour de Cure: The American Diabetes Assn’s May 3 cycling fundraiser is shaping up! The 64-mi route will circle Lake Washington and foray into Mercer Island. There are shorter routes for less adventurous individuals. They are interested in help from our Troop. Scouts will assist with setting up, staffing rest stations, cheering, and taking down. 

• Aug 10-16 – Summer Camp at Camp Parsons: One of the Best Camps in the world. Highly recommend your scout attend this camp. They will learn and grow so much. With over 50 merit badge activities to choose from, your scout will find something they enjoy. 

Learn more about Troop 695 & 8695 at www.sammamishscouting.com and our other tabs in this welcome packet. 

• Useful Note from a Parent that Crossed Over into the Troop
• Useful Links & Contacts
• Committee positions
• Medical Forms
• Troop Photo Release
• Troop Values & Principles
• Scouting Mission and Oath

Let me know if you have any questions.

Troop 695 & 8695 Committee

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