Troop 508 is located in Saratoga, California and is sponsored by the Saratoga Presbyterian Church. We are in the Polaris District of the Santa Clara County Councel of BSA. We are a scout run troop and consist of approximately 50-60 scouts ranging from 11 to 18 years of age. The focus of our troop is to have fun and live by the scout oath and laws. We encourage all Scouts to achieve First Class rank and offer strong support to those who want to pursue rank advancement to Eagle. Each month we have at least one outing including short backpacking trips, desert camping, snow camping, summer camp, community service projects and many other fun things to do. Please check out the rest of our website to see some of our other planned activities and pictures from past events. If you are interested in joining our troop just come to one of our meetings as a guest - no appointment is needed and of course feel free to contact us via email at scoutmaster@troop508.org, or call our Scoutmaster or Committee Chair if you have any additional questions.
Troop Meetings: Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Saratoga Presbyterian Church. Meeting topics vary from teaching scouting skills to fun games to special activities planned by Patrol Leaders. Our program is year-round.
Outings: We typically have at least one activity each month from a wide range of areas including: camping, hiking, wilderness backpacking, bicycling, fishing, fun nights, kayaking, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting. Scouts select the activities they want to do and establish the calendar of events every spring and fall. In addition to our special outings, some of the regular activities the troop enjoys are:
Ski Trip at Dodge Ridge Camping at Dillon Beach Trail to First Class
Yosemite Snow Camping Coyote Creek Cycling Classic
Special Outings: Our troop takes a 4-5 day trip to the desert every spring in 4-wheel drive vehicles, alternating between Mojave and Death Valley. We offer a Wilderness Survival weekend with support from the Coyote Tracks organization. We also plan a week-long backpacking trip in the Sierras.
Summer Camps: Our troop attends a week-long session at Camp Hi Sierra near Pinecrest Lake every year which offers many outdoor activities and the opportunity to earn merit badges and work on rank advancement to First Class. The troop attended Camp Wente in Northern California and backpacked at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico during the summer of 2009. We have reservations at Camp Cherry Valley on Catalina Island for June 2010. We are committed to offering High Adventure summer camp experiences such as Philmont, Sea Base, and Northern Tier.
Advancement: Troop 508’s goal is to help every Scout achieve the rank of First Class. First year Scouts may be placed into an existing patrol to help them integrate into the troop, learn about Scouts, and work on advancement. Most Scouts achieve First Class in about one year—particularly those who attend a week of summer camp. We may hold advancement nights during troop meetings depending on scout needs. First Class Scouts have opportunities to work on merit badges, service projects, and assume leadership positions to continue their advancement. Many Troop 508 Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle Scout each year.
Membership: Troop 508 currently has approximately 50 Scouts ranging in age 11 years to 17 years.
Troop Leadership: Troop 508 fosters the development of leadership skills by being a Scout-led troop, with leadership positions elected for a 6-month term. Each leadership team receives training at the beginning of its term. With coaching from the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters, the Senior Patrol Leader is responsible for planning and running troop meetings, the Assistant SPL’s are responsible for planning troop events, and Patrol Leaders are responsible for organizing some troop meeting activities. The Patrol Leaders Council meets on the 1st Monday of every month.
Adult Participation: There is a high level of involvement on the part of our Scoutmaster, ASMs, and parents. We believe each boy’s successful experience in scouting depends on parental understanding of and regular participation in their son’s activities and advancement. To that end, Troop 508 asks that one parent join the troop and help out where needed. Parents are strongly urged to attend our parent orientation, stop in at our troop meetings, chaperone events, and tap into on-line trainings offered by the Santa Clara County Council.
Troop Communication: We have a new website at www.troop508.org that will eventually be our primary means of communicating upcoming trips, events, leadership opportunities, and general information. Photos, calendars, and resources for scouts and parents are posted on the site, which also has email capabilities. For more information about Troop 508, please feel free to contact our Scoutmaster or Troop Committee Chair.
Contacts:
Scoutmaster: Bill Turpin bill@turpin.com 395-2074
Committee Chair: Janet Gregg janetgregg@sbcglobal.net 370-7730
Additional Handy Facts
Meeting Location:
Saratoga Presbyterian Church - Fellowship Hall
20455 Herriman Avenue
Saratoga, CA 95070
Meeting Times:
Troop – 2nd and 4th Monday at 7:30 p.m.
Patrol Leaders – 1st Monday at 7:30 p.m.
Parent Committee – 3rd Monday at 7:30 p.m.
Troop Web Page:
www.troop508.org
Main Email Address
troop_508@yahoo.com
Current Adult Staff:
Paul Boyer - ASM,
Chris Contag - ASM,
Mark Lipford - ASM,
Mustafa Veziroglu - ASM,
Advancement Chair: Brian Tanner/Walter Tsai
Membership Chair: Patricia Lee
Webmaster: Ron Martin