Troop Program

Scouting is a year-round program. The troop program calendar generally corresponds to the school calendar for the Westford Public Schools, beginning each September when school re-opens, observing the school vacation schedule, and ending with the close of the school year. In addition, we attend the Yankee Clipper Council summer camp (Wah-Tut-Ca Scout Reservation in Northwood, NH) as a troop, usually in mid-July. The troop also schedules several outdoor activities on weekends (such as overnight camping, canoeing, whitewater rafting, bicycling, etc.).

Troop meetings are held every Thursday evening (when schools are in session) from 7:00pm -- 8:30pm at the American Legion Post 437 Hall (114 Dunstable Road, off Route 40). Meetings are used to plan for upcoming trips, work on advancements and merit badges, conduct Courts of Honor (when badges are awarded) and to have a little fun. The meeting ends with announcements and a formal closing ceremony by 8:30pm. (Many parents arrive a few minutes early to keep up to date through the announcements, and for the closing ceremony.)

The troop organization within Boy Scouts flows from the larger objectives of the movement, which are to develop character, confidence, and leadership. Thus, while adult leaders play an important role in guiding and coaching the troop, Boy Scouting (in contrast with Cub Scouting) is a "boy-centered" organization, and its meetings and activities are best when planned and conducted by the boys. It isn't always "pretty," but the boys do seem to learn valuable lessons (from their failures at least as much as from their successes) that are remembered for years, even for the rest of their lives!

The basic unit of the troop is the patrol, led by a Patrol Leader who is elected by his peers. The troop is led by a Senior Patrol Leader elected by all the boys, assisted by others whom he appoints, with guidance from the Scoutmaster. The Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders, and other troop officers (boys) constitute the Patrol Leader Council, which is responsible for planning and conducting troop meetings and activities, with guidance from the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters.

The Troop Committee is made up of interested parents who volunteer to serve as "trustees" for the troop, responsible for: the troop's charter and relationships with the Boy Scouts of America and the Yankee Clipper Council of which we are part; troop finances and equipment; and review and approval of troop policies and plans. Within or related to the Troop Committee are several supporting jobs -- some big and some small -- that are critical to the troop's success.

The complete "Class A" scout uniform includes shirt (with insignia and red shoulder "loops") and the Troop 591 neckerchief with slide. Scout uniforms are to be worn to troop meetings and most troop activities, although uniform requirements are "relaxed" somewhat for the regular weekly meetings, using our official "Class B" uniform (polo-style shirt).  These more informal uniforms may also be worn for other occasions or events.

We encourage boys to advance through the ranks of scouting. Much of the skills instruction and advancement "sign-offs" are handled by older and more experienced scouts helping their juniors, under the supervision of the scoutmasters. Like Cub Scouting, parents serve an important role in encouraging, perhaps even instructing their sons as they explore new skills. Unlike Cub Scouting, parents are PROHIBITED from "signing-off" advancement requirements. The troop also maintains an active Merit Badge program, necessary for achievement of the higher ranks (Star, Life, and scouting's highest rank, Eagle). Merit Badge instruction and certification is performed by adult Merit Badge Counselors, trained and certified by the Yankee Clipper Council.

Scouts graduating from cub scouts generally join the troop in early March. Registration begins when your son registers with (or transfers to) the troop, and is renewed annually (by paying the annual BSA Registration Fee of about $17) when the troop re-charters each March. [Note: No part of these fees are retained by or returned to the troop for its program.] We encourage boys to maintain ACTIVE membership through regular attendance at troop meetings, rank advancement, participation in troop outings and/or special programs, etc. Though we all realize that a little parental "nagging" is needed on occasion, we do not encourage "forced" participation. If you find that your son's interest is flagging, we would be delighted to work with you to understand what is happening, and to respond appropriately.

The costs of the troop's program are mostly funded by troop fund raising activities. Troop campouts/outings are an additional expense (usually $7-$15 for food) to the participating scouts. During the year several more ambitious and higher cost trips ($25-$40), and the week at Camp Wah-Tut-Ca which costs about $225. Donated "campership" funds are available to scouts in need of assistance to help pay for troop outings and camp. Our main fundraiser for the year is the sale of Cookie Dough and our ongoing partnership with leading retailers.

The Troop Committee is made up of interested parents who volunteer to serve as "trustees" for the troop, responsible for: the troop's charter and relationships with the Boy Scouts of America and the Yankee Clipper Council of which we are part; troop finances and equipment; and review and approval of troop policies and plans. Within or related to the Troop Committee are several supporting jobs -- some big and some small -- that are critical to the troop's success.

The Troop Committee appoints a Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters to provide proactive guidance and encouragement to the Troop Leadership, coordinate arrangements for outings and other activities, and to supervise the troop’s skills development and advancement program. All parents are expected to help out the troop in some way.

Understanding expectations is an important part of participation in boy scouting with Troop 591. As a starting point, we offer the following as our understanding of our mutual expectations and obligations:

• Scouts (and their parents) can expect Troop 591 to provide a safe and rich environment for learning a variety of life skills, experiencing the outdoors and camping, and for developing character, confidence, and leadership skills, consistent with the ideals of scouting;
• Parents of scouts can expect Troop 591 to respect and uphold parents' rights and prerogatives regarding their son's safety and well being, to observe parents' wishes and instructions for urgent care of their son in the event of sickness or mishap, and to make every effort to communicate promptly and effectively in the event further care is needed;
• Troop 591 expects boys joining the troop to actively participate in troop meetings and other activities, to uphold the ideals of scouting, to respect other scouts and property belonging to others, and to observe troop rules, policies and the instructions of troop leaders;
• Troop 591 expects parents of boys joining the troop to make a commitment to encourage and actively support their son's participation in troop meetings and activities, and to contribute time and energy when needed to assist with organizing and providing transportation for outings, fund raising, etc.