Your goal in having your son or daughter join Scouting should be to help them to grow into the best version of themselves. The National Council of the Boy Scouts of America designs its program with three goals in mind: To build character, To foster good citizenship, and to develop mental, emotional, and physical fitness. In order to ensure achievement of these goals, the Boy Scouts of America has developed specific programs, guidelines and procedures. These include Scouting’s Ideals, Patrol Organization, Outdoor Program, Advancement Program, Adult Association, Personal Growth Conferences, Leadership Development, and Uniforms. Each of the meetings and activities planned by 179 support the aims of Scouting and use the methods listed above. Scouting is a year-round program and missing any part of it slows the process of the Scouts’ development.

How Does Scouting Work?

The National Council of the Boy Scouts of America has a program that offers the best possible Scouting experience to Scouts of all ages. Our troop successfully uses the Troop Operations Plan to the fullest extent. The Troop Operations Plan has three program areas in which your child will participate. They are termed: New Scout Patrols, Traditional Scout Patrols, and Venture Crews. As your child grows older, you will find that each area has been designed to meet the needs and interests that are age appropriate.

The New Scouts Patrols are made up of Scouts in their first year with the troop. These Scouts receive guidance from a Troop Guide, appointed solely to their patrol from among the troop’s best youth leaders. The guide teaches them all the basic Scouting skills that can carry them through the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, until they become First Class Scouts in about one year. At the same time, each new Scout begins to learn about leadership skills and are able to put these skills to the test at various positions such as Patrol Leader or Quartermaster. By spending time with new Scouts their own age and having a talented, dedicated guide to help them along, our new Scouts can have an enjoyable first year Scouting experience.

Scouts entering into their second year with the troop become a part of the Traditional Scout Patrols. In this program, they have the opportunity to reinforce their Scouting skills without the need for a Troop Guide. They elect a Patrol Leader to serve for approximately six-months. The elected Patrol Leader, in turn, appoints an Assistant Patrol Leader, a Patrol Quartermaster, and a Patrol Scribe. The Traditional Patrol Scouts work on Merit Badges to pass requirements for Star and Life.

After graduating the eighth grade our Scouts then move to our Venturing Crew. Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women. The Venture Crew’s purpose is to provide positive high adventure and hobby experiences, while helping young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Venture Crew 179 assists our troop in running activities, instructing new Scouts, and providing activities for our older Scouts designed to meet their interests. Each Venturer has an opportunity for a position of responsibility that helps the Venturer to obtain the Eagle Scout award as well as Venturing’s own Summit awards.

Why Troop 179?

Troop 179 started Scouting in the spring of 1966. From its beginning the leaders and Scouts chose to create a troop with excellence in mind. We have a long tradition of great leadership and an aggressive program that uses all the methods and programs that the National Council has set forth for Scout BSA Troops and Venturing Crews.

Our leadership is second to none. Scoutmaster Chuck Williams is an Outstanding Eagle Scout with over 50 years of experience as a volunteer working with Scouts aged 10 to 21. We also have over 35 trained Assistant Scoutmasters, over 15 volunteers on our parents committee, and over 25 active Eagle Scouts. Troop 179 is a big troop, and it is not for everyone however, most youth who join our troop are very successful. 25% of the youth who join Troop 179 stay in the troop until they are 18, with 23% earning the Eagle Scout Award, this compares to a national average of 4%. We do not concentrate on a program of advancement, but on a program that keeps the Scouts interested in staying in Scouting and achieving their goals.

Has Scouting Changed?

Undoubtedly many of you were Scouts when you were young and many of our activities will not be the same ones that you remember. Keep in mind that your child is not living in the same world you lived in 20 to 30 years ago. youth have different interests and needs than you did. Scouting has changed to keep up with the changing times. What hasn't changed are the values and goals of Scouting. 

Can I visit a meeting?

Yes! You and your child can visit any regular meeting. We meet on most Tuesday evenings during the school year, 7:15 to 9:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church located on the corner of Farmington Road and 11 Mile Road.

TO JOIN SCOUTS BSA TROOP 179, YOU MUST BE
11 Years Old or Graduated from the 5th Grade

TO JOIN VENTURING CREW 179, YOU MUST BE
14 Years Old or Graduated from the 8th Grade

We meet most Tuesday nights from 7:15 to 9:00 pm. Come visit us and any meeting to learn more about the adventures 179 is going on and how you can be a part of them. Check our calendar for exact meeting dates.

To Contact our Membership Committee Email
Rachael Ayotte - letsgocamping@att.net

Troop 179 Meets at First Presbyterian Church of Farmington 11 Mile and Farmington Roads