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Boy Scout Troop 355 was first chartered in April, 1996 to the Methodist Men's Club of Sharon United Methodist Church. The Troop began with five Scouts, two Wood Badge trained leaders as Scoutmaster (served on Wood Badge staff) and Assistant Scoutmaster (served as Wood Badge Course Director), a Chartered Organization Representative, a Troop Committee Chairman and six Troop Committee Members. Since that time the troop has undergone continuous growth. This is attributed to the strong camping program including a campout each month, week-long trips to summer camp at Camp Grimes on the Mecklenburg Scout Reservation and week-long "Super Trips" each summer beginning in 1997. Our Scouts are steadily advancing in Scout Rank as they learn new scoutcraft skills.
We are proud to be part of Apache District in Mecklenburg County Council. We are in a strong District in which many Troops provide leaders to support District functions. We have leaders in many Troops that are Wood Badge trained and strongly support our Council Training programs. Our own adult leaders serve the District and Council on training, Jamboree and Order of the Arrow staffs and committees.
Our Troop has more than tripled in size. We expect to slowly grow to a full Troop of 32 boys and sustain the Troop membership for a long period with a quality program and leadership training of both youth and adult leaders. To date, our Troop has produced eight Eagle Scouts who are now enjoying careers in college or the armed forces.
Upon rechartering the Troop, we have earned the Quality Unit award each year. Adult leaders are trained in Fast Start and Scoutmastership Fundamentals. Thirteen adult Scouters from our troop have been through the Wood Badge training program, with one more signed up for the upcoming 2006 course. One Assistant Scoutmaster was the Council 2001 Jamboree Committee Chairman. We regularly combine with other Troops to conduct our Troop Junior Leader training classes to ensure our boy leaders receive the training that is so important for their development.
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ACTIVE
Troop 355 is an active bunch of Scouts and Scouters (adult leaders). We go camping one weekend a month, every month of the year. The trips develop the skills needed to advance in rank and teach boys basic survival skills they can use their entire lives. We practice two-deep leadership, meaning at least two trained leaders accompany the boys on every outing.
HIGH ADVENTURE SUPER TRIPS
Scouts at First Class rank and higher have the opportunity to participate in high adventure 7-10+-day Super Trips each summer. Past trips have included canoeing in Minnesota, backpacking treks at Philmont (twice), cycling on the C&O Canal 185 miles from Cumberland, MD to Washington, DC, canoeing in Maine and Canada, a trip to the Cascades in Washington state for backpacking/horseback riding/fishing/rafting, backpacking treks at Philmont in New Mexico (three times), and sailing in the Bahamas (twice) and British Virgin Islands.
SUMMER CAMP
The troop attends week-long summer camp each year, at various BSA affiliated camps, but primarily at our own Camp Grimes. Camps afford the opportunity to earn several merit badges, encourage team building through organized competitions, and the chance to meet Scouts from other areas.
NATIONAL and WORLD SCOUT JAMBOREES
Scouts and Scout leaders are encouraged to particpate in the movement of Scouting outside our vicinity. These trips afford participants unique once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and are supported by the troop committee. Troop 355 has youth and adults that have attended the 1995 World Scout Jamboree, the 1997 National Scout Jamboree, the 2001 National Scout Jamboree, 2003 World Scout Jamboree, 2005 National Scout Jamboree, and 2007 World Scout Jamboree.
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TROOP 355 BBQ
Troop 355 participates in only two fundraisers per year. Funds raised from the Troop-sponsored BBQ sale are used to:
- purchase and maintain top-quality group camping gear
- pay camp facility fees related to monthly camping trips
- defray cost for each Scout attending week-long Boy Scout summer camp, or annual 10-day high adventure Super Trip
- make donations to Sharon United Methodist Church and our local BSA Council
- pay for advancement materials
- pay for Troop Junior Leader training
- pay for Scouts to attend the Council Junior Leader training
Our 8th annual Troop fundraiser BBQ took place in January 2005. Boy Scouts, leaders, parents, friends, church members, and the United Methodist Men all pitched in to realize our most successful BBQ to date. We cooked 12,000 pounds of pork on 33 wood-fired grills, followed by picking and packing. Distribution of pre-sold and walk-up sales were finished half-way through the second day, when we actually sold out of BBQ. We especially appreciated the purchase of 31 whole shoulders (Boston Butts) made by one couple at the end of the last day; their generous donation will allow our Troop an extra service opportunity to feed the homeless. We also bottled and sold three popular versions of our own secret recipe BBQ sauce. Not only did we raise enough money to fund our Troop for another year, we also realized our goal of raising $5,000 for Tsunami Relief in Southeast Asia; these funds were donated to UMCOR.
BOY SCOUT ANNUAL POPCORN DRIVE
In our Troop, Scouts also have the opportunity to sell popcorn each Fall. Monies earned are put into an individual account for each Scout, which they may then use as they wish as long as they remain with our Troop. Personal accounts may be used for purchasing personal camping gear such as a sleeping bag or backpack, or trip expenses toward week-end campouts, summer camp, National Jamboree, or even a World Jamboree.
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Meets at:
Sharon United Methodist Church
4411 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC
Troop meeting:
Mondays, 7:00-8:30 pm
Visitors are always welcome.
Court of Honor:
Held quarterly
Troop Committee:
Monthly, 1st Thursday
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HOW TO JOIN
Visit one or two of our Troop Meetings to observe how we operate first hand. Talk with our Scoutmaster and get a copy of our Troop 355 introduction along with a Boy Scout application. The Troop 355 Introduction includes all of our joining requirements.
Then come to another Troop meeting along with your parents, a filled in Boy Scout application, and the joining fee. Our Scoutmaster (or an assistant), will test you on all of the joining requirements and verify you completed the Youth Protection portion of the requirements with your parents.
Once you have completed the reequirements, we expect you to obtain a complete Boy Scout uniform and attend the next meeting along with your parents to be formally welcomed into our Troop with a special ceremony. Then the adventure begins!
WHO CAN JOIN
- Cub Scout Second-year Webelos who have earned the Arrow of Light
- Boys of age 11+
- Boys of age 10 1/2 and have completed the 5th grade
- Transfers from another troop
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