Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Who can become a Boy Scout?

Any boy can join Boy Scouts regardless of his outdoor experiences or whether he was a Cub Scout. He must however satisfy any one of these three requirements:

• Be eleven years old

• Graduate from the fifth grade

• Earn the Arrow of Light award in Cub Scouts and be 10.5 years old

2. When and where does troop 49 meet?

Troop 49 meets every Wednesday evening at the Alderwood Boys and Girls club located at 19719 24th Ave W. Meetings start at 6:30 and end around 8 pm. Check the calendar on this website for additional dates and times.

3. What kind of activities does troop 49 organize?

Troop 49 schedules outdoor adventures at least once a month. In the past few years we have gone backpacking, hiking, and camping. Each summer we attend a week of BSA summer camp. Check the calendar on this website for to view our upcoming outings.

4. How much does Scouting cost?

The Annual Dues for Troop 49 are $24. This includes registration with BSA, start up costs (neckerchief, slide, class B shirt), Scout handbook, and patches. You will also need to purchase a class A uniform. There are sometimes fees associated with an outing designed to cover the cost of that outing.

5. Do I have to buy a lot of equipment?

You will need to buy a backpack, ground cloth, sleeping pad and a sleeping bag. Beyond that you can borrow camping gear from the troop for each campout and return it when you get home. Most scouts borrow gear for a while and then begin to purchase more of their own equipment as they become more experienced campers.

6. What are the ranks in Boy Scouts?

The scout handbook provides the requirements for seven ranks. They are: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle Scout. Our outdoor activities, merit badge and leadership programs are designed to provide every scout with an opportunity to advance in rank at the pace they choose.

7. What is required to become an Eagle Scout?

BSA has established these requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout:

1. Be active in your troop and patrol for at least 6 months as a Life Scout.

2. Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.

3. Receive the recommendations of six individuals who know you personally.

4. Earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, including the 12 “eagle required” badges

5. While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of 6 months in one or more positions of leadrship responsibility.

6. While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a Eagle service project

7. Complete a Scoutmaster conference.

8. Pass an Eagle Scout board of review.

8. Are scouts required to advance toward Eagle Scout?

No, Troop 49 is not just about rank advancement. Our program is structured to provide four separate areas for growth; outdoor skills, merit badges, leadership skills, and self reliance. Most scouts begin their climb up the ranks of scouting right away, others proceed a little later and some enjoy scouting just for the outdoor fun with their buddies. Every boy can benefit from the scout program.

9. What is a Merit Badge?

A merit badge is an award for completing the requirements in over 100 career and hobby fields. Each merit badge is designed to provide a scout with an introduction to that specific field of interest. The subject matter of these merit badges vary wildly. Each merit badge has a specific list of requirements that must be completed by the scout, then reviewed by a qualified merit badge instructor and finally signed off by the Scoutmaster. Merit badges are worn on the Scout’s sash as part of his class A uniform.

10. What is a Blue Card?

A blue card is essentially an application for a merit badge. A Scout obtains a blue card by speaking with the Scoutmaster about his interest in working on a particular merit badge. Typically after the Scoutmaster signs the blue card, the Scout contacts the merit badge counselor and sets an appointment. One the merit badge counselor is satisfied a Scout has met all the requirements—signs in two places: on the reverse of the Application for Merit Badge (to the left) and on the Applicant’s Record (in the middle) and returns these two parts to the Scout. The Scout then brings the two parts back to the Scoutmaster for review and to make sure he is recognized for his achievement. The third part of the card is returned to the scout with the merit badge at the court of honor. The third portion of the blue card should be kept in a safe place as it becomes the Scout’s proof of completion in the event that the merit badge or sash are lost.