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Welcome to Troop 170! The following information is presented as a quick overview about our Troop and should help make your transition to our unit a bit easier.
If you have any questions, contact:
Scoutmaster: Kevin Pinson: 606-425-6583 or email: troop170ky@gmail.com
Page updated Feb 14, 2025
“Led by youth, mentored by adults”
Meeting Time & Location
Regular troop meetings are held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Monday night, except as noted on Troop Calendar, at East Somerset Baptist Church, 345 Pumphouse Road, Somerset. Meetings are not held on Memorial Day, Labor Day, Spring Break, Fall Break, and the last two Mondays in December.
Meetings are held even when school is called off due to weather or other circumstances unless you receive notification otherwise.
Scout Uniform
Each new Scout will receive a Troop 170 neckerchief, a standard Scouts BSA neckerchief slide, and Patrol patch. Scouts must purchase their own “Class A” uniform and Scout Handbook.
A Class A uniform, also known as the “Field Uniform,” (dress shirt, pants and neckerchief) is to be worn at Special Troop meetings, Courts of Honor and any event in public unless otherwise directed.
A Class B Activity uniform, a Scout-related T-shirt with uniform pants, is typically encouraged to be worn at all other times.
Uniform items may be purchased from the National Scout Shop, 2134 Nicholasville Road, Suite 15, Lexington, or on-line through the official BSA retail site.
Monthly Activities
A campout, hike, or other outdoor activity is usually conducted on the third weekend of each month. Unless otherwise noted, Scouts meet at East Somerset Baptist Church (ESB) and depart at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. We will return to ESB about 1 p.m. on Sunday. Parents/guardians will be called approximately 30 minutes before arrival.
Transportation is arranged by the Troop Committee, and at least 2 registered adult leaders attend every outing.
Patrols plan their own meals and divide the cost of food (usually $10 to $15 per person paid to the Patrol Leader in cash the Monday before the outing). This will cover 5 meals (Friday night to Sunday morning).
There may be additional fees for District and Council activities. This fee is collected separately and paid to the Treasurer.
Campout Gear
Troop 170 provides most camping supplies – such as tents, dining fly, pots & pans, tools, and first aid supplies.
• To view a list of Troop Patrol Box supplies, click here.
• To view a list of Troop Trailer gear, click here.
Scouts are responsible for bringing their own backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, water bottle (with screw top lid), a hot/cold drinking cup (separate from the water bottle), flashlight with extra batteries, and personal clothing. Waterproof boots are strongly recommended to be worn when leaving on all outdoor activities.
• To view a list of Scout Essentials, click here.
Medical Forms
All Scouts and adult leaders are required to have a current Scouts BSA medical form on file. NO OTHER MEDICAL FORM IS ACCEPTED. The troop offers free physicals each spring.
Failure to have a current BSA Medical Form may result in your Scout being unable to participate in Troop activities.
Electronics Policy
Youth may only have cell phones, portable music/video players, and hand-held gaming systems when traveling to or returning from a Troop activity. At all other times this equipment should be left in the vehicle.
Should a youth be found using an electronic device when not permitted, the device may be confiscated by the adult leader and returned to a parent/guardian upon return from the activity.
Conduct & Discipline Policy
The Troop Committee has adopted a Conduct and Discipline Policy in accordance with the BSA Guide to Safe Scouting guidelines that apply to all official Scouting activities. It is strongly encouraged for parents/guardians to review this policy with their Scout(s).
• To download the Troop Conduct and Discipline Policy, click here.
Patrols
The Troop is organized into Patrols of 4-8 boys. Patrols elect their own leadership and work and compete together at meetings and during campouts. In addition, Patrols are strongly encouraged to hold separate monthly meetings and activities.
Patrol Leader Council
Troop 170 is a Scout-led unit, with adults serving as advisors and facilitators. Activities are planned by the Patrol Leader Council, which is comprised of the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL), and Patrol Leaders (PL). Meetings are typically held the last Monday of each month at 6:15 p.m. (Check calendar for updates.)
Youth Leadership Positions
Serving in leadership positions is a requirement for rank advancement. Elections for SPL and PLs are held twice a year immediately following a leadership training class conducted during a regular Troop meeting. Terms are 6 months (March 1-August 30 & September 1-February 28). The SPL will appoint other youth leadership positions in consultation with the Scoutmaster.
• For a list of recognized leadership positions, click here.
Advancement
Scouts who attend regular meetings and activities can complete rank advancement requirements fairly quickly. It is important for Scouts to bring their Scout Handbook to meetings so that they may be regularly updated.
Many rank and merit badges requirements require work done at home and over a period of time (generally 30-90 days). Parents/guardians should offer encouragement and support to ensure completion of these requirements in a timely manner.
Merit Badges
Every Eagle-required merit badge is offered by the Troop, through summer camp or other special activities, at least once every two years. Numerous non-required merit badges are offered as well. The Troop will make every effort to help find counselors if a boy has a special request.
Merit badge counselors must be registered with the Blue Grass Council and be approved BEFORE your Scout may begin work on a badge.
• Learn more about the 137 available merit badges, click here.
Boards of Review
Boards of Review for rank requirements are conducted by the Troop Committee (see below). Generally, these Boards of Review are held during regular Troop meetings on the same day the Troop Committee meets, generally the first Monday of every month. Scouts must be in full Class A uniform and bring their Boy Scout Handbook.
Courts of Honor
Recognitions, awards, and rank advancements are ceremoniously presented four times each year – February (6:30 p.m. chili supper), May (7 p.m.), August (6:30 p.m. cookout), and November (7 p.m.). Family members and friends are encouraged to attend to help celebrate these achievements. Boys must be present to receive awards.
Community Service
Several times each year boys are asked to assist civic organizations or to provide manpower with Eagle Service Projects. Scouts are expected to attend as many events as possible.
Communication
The primary method for updating Scouts and families is through e-mail notification through the Troop website, Remind and through updates made at weekly Troop meetings. To ensure you receive the latest news, enter your e-mail address in the “Follow This Blog” box on the bottom right side of the Home Page.
It is strongly recommended that all Scouts and parents/guardians sign up for these notifications.
Fundraising
Troop 170 participates in the Blue Grass Council’s annual popcorn sales fundraiser that is held between August and October. Boys are offered incentives awards for meeting sales goals. Participation in this fundraiser is expected.
Swim Checks
All Scouts and adult leaders are required to have their swimming ability checked annually in order to participate in any water-related activity. The Troop offers a swimming skills check each spring.
Summer Camp
Each summer the Troop participates in a week-long resident Scout camp. Generally, the Troop will attend the Blue Grass Council’s summer camp at the McKee Scout Reservation one out of every three years, and an out-of-state camp the other years. The Troop typically schedules summer camp for the last full week of June. In addition, special extended trips may be offered.
High Adventure
Opportunities are available for older Scouts to attend the 4 BSA High Adventure bases – Philmont Scout Ranch (backpacking in New Mexico), Northern Tier (canoeing in the Boundary Waters on the Minnesota/Canada border), Sea Base (sailing and SCUBA diving in the Florida Keys), and The Summit Bechtel Reserve (whitewater, biking, climbing and more in West Virginia).
Costs for these programs will vary. Reservations and planning for these life-changing trips typically begin more than a year in advance.
Troop Committee
The Troop Committee’s primary responsibility is supporting unit leaders in delivering quality program and handling Troop administration. The Troop Committee is responsible for conducting the business of the Troop, setting policy, and helping the Scoutmaster and Scouts with the outdoor program and other planned activities.
The Committee also has the responsibility to provide adults for Boards of Review. This is an important responsibility and is one area where help is always needed and appreciated. The Committee consists of parent volunteers or other adults who fulfill various roles as needed.
Troop Committee meetings are generally held the first Monday of each month at 6:15 p.m.
• To view a list of Troop 170 leadership, click here.
Registration Fees
The annual registration fee of $85 per youth Scout and $65 per registered adult leader is due at the November Court of Honor. This fee includes one-year registration to Scouting BSA with national liability insurance, Blue Grass Council sickness and accident insurance ($7). Scouting BSA also has set a one-time joining fee of $25 for new Scouts the first time they register.
In addition, there is a $15 fee for Scouts wishing to receive one-year subscription to Boy’s Life magazine. This is an optional expense.
Scouts joining the Troop mid-year will have their fees pro-rated.
Financial Aid
Scouts needing assistance with registration, uniform purchases, or special trip fees should contact Scoutmaster: Kevin Pinson at troop170ky@gmail.com or 606-425-6583
Boy Scout Troop 170 