SCOUTING promises you the great outdoors. As a Scout, you can learn how to camp and hike without leaving a trace and how to take care of the land. You'll study wildlife up close and learn about nature all around you. There are plenty of skills for you to master, and you can teach others what you have learned. Everyone helping everyone else-that's part of Scouting, too.
SCOUTING promises you friendship. Members of the troop you join might be boys you already know, and you will meet many other Scouts along the way. Some could become lifelong friends.
SCOUTING promises you opportunities to work toward the Eagle Scout rank. You will set positive goals for yourself and then follow clear routes to achieve them.
SCOUTING promises you tools to help you make the most of your family, your community, and your nation. The good deeds you perform every day will improve the lives of those around you. You will be prepared to help others in time of need.
SCOUTING promises you experiences and duties that will help you mature into a strong, wise adult. The Scout Oath and the Scout Law can guide you while you are a Scout and throughout your life.

Adventure, learning, challenge, responsibility - the promise of Scouting is all this and more.

[* "The Promise" is on page 1 of the 1998 edition of the Boy Scout Handbook]

Interested in Scouting? Come to one of our meetings for a visit! We’re always looking for new Scouts. We invite any boy (at least 11 years of age) and his family to visit in person to see how Scouting might work for you. The meetings are Tuesdays at 7:30pm at Galilee UMC.
Please e-mail us (see Main page) if you have any questions.
Check out some of the Top 10 reasons why boys and parents like Scouting: "In the Scout Zone"

Who can join Scouting?
Any boys between the ages of 11 and 17, or who have earned the Arrow of Light award in Cub Scouts, or who have completed the fifth grade.

How do I sign my son up in Scouting?
Joining Troop 956 is easy. We encourage you and your son to visit our meetings, held on Tuesday nights between 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM. We meet almost every Tuesday night (except school holidays), but to be sure, check our troop calendar.

When you arrive, please say hello to any of our adult leaders; we'll be glad to introduce ourselves, and get you and your son introduced to other members of the troop. We usually add your son to a patrol for the evening, especially if he knows boys in the troop. He will feel right at home. This will also give you a chance to ask questions, and we can also give you as much information as you want about our troop and our program. Feel free to visit as many times as you like.

If you decide that Troop 956 is the troop for your son, return the application we will give you, along with the troop membership fees to register him in Scouting. He will need the medical form on the back of the application filled out initially, and we will provide you with a full medical form to fill out too. See links below for additional troop forms.

We also encourage the parents of Scouts to register and become active in the troop. It has been shown many, many times that the boys whose parents are active stay active longer, achieve higher rank, and generally have more fun in Scouting. There are a number of ways a parent can be active and be a part of the Scouting experience with your son! There is also an application associated with joining as an adult. We'll be glad to explain it all.
That's all there is to it!

Forms for New Scouts and Parents:
BSA Youth Membership Application

BSA Adult Membership Application

Parent Resource Survey

Vehicle & Driver Information

HOW TO EARN YOUR SCOUT BADGE
Once you join Troop 956, complete the requirements as listed in The Boy Scout Handbook to earn your "Scout" badge:
~"Meet age requirements. Be a boy who has completed the fifth grade or is 11 years old, or has earned the Arrow of Light award but is under 18 years old."
~"Complete a Boy Scout application and health history signed by your parent or guardian." Applications are available from the Troop Committee Chairperson or Membership Coordinator. The application’s last page (on reverse of form) is the health history. Troop dues are $100 per school year. Give the completed application to the Troop Committee Chairperson or Membership Coordinator, checks payable to "Troop 956."
~"Find a scout troop near your home." You’ve found it at Troop 956!
~"Repeat the Pledge of Allegiance."
~"Demonstrate the Scout Sign, Salute, and Handshake." See the Boy Scout Handbook or Webelos Handbook.
~"Demonstrate tying the square knot (a joining knot)." See the Boy Scout Handbook or Webelos Handbook.
~"Understand and agree to live by the Scout Oath or Promise, Law, Motto, and Slogan, and the outdoor code." See the Boy Scout Handbook or Webelos Handbook.
~"Describe the Scout Badge." See the Boy Scout Handbook or Webelos Handbook.
~"Complete the pamphlet exercises." With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide that is contained in the front of the Boy Scout Handbook.
~"Participate in a Scoutmaster conference." Attend one of our meetings and ask our Scoutmaster when he can meet with you to conduct your Scoutmaster conference.

When you’ve completed these requirements, you are now qualified to wear the "Scout" badge on your uniform.

And you're on your way! See what's next by looking at the following link Boy Scout Rank Requirements .

In addition to progressing through the ranks in Boy Scouting, scouts must earn at least 21 Merit Badges, including these 12 Eagle Required Merit Badges!!