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. Scouts on the junior leadership team are responsible for planning meetings, activities, and events. Meeting topics vary from teaching scouting skills to fun games to planning for upcoming activities. Our program is year-round, with outdoor activities offered monthly.
Outings: We typically have one or two activities each month from a wide range of areas including: camping, hiking, wilderness backpacking, bicycling, service projects, fun nights, kayaking, rock climbing, and District camporee. There are also two or three Patrol outings scheduled each 6-month leadership term. Scouts establish the calendar of events every spring and fall. Some additional activities are:
| Wilderness Survival | Ski Trip at Dodge Ridge | Camping at Dillon Beach | Scout-o-rama |
| Desert Camping | Whitewater Rafting | Yosemite Camping | Snow Camping |
Summer Camps: Summer camps offer many outdoor activities as well as an opportunity to earn merit badges and work on rank advancement to First Class. Our troop attends a week-long session at Camp Hi Sierra near Pinecrest Lake every year. We are committed to exploring other summer camps as well, such as Camp Chawanakee at Shaver Lake and Camp Cherry Valley on Catalina Island. The troop has reservations at Camp Wente in Northern California and Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico during the summer of 2009.
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 sponsor a week-long backpacking trip in the Sierras.
Advancement: Troop 508’s goal is to help every Scout achieve the rank of First Class. First year Scouts are placed in a patrol together to help them learn about Scouts and work on advancement as a group. Most Scouts achieve First Class in about one year—particularly those who attend a week of summer camp. We often hold advancement nights during troop meetings to help the younger Scouts get requirements approved. 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.
Membership: Troop 508 currently has approximately 50 Scouts ranging in age 11 years to 17 years. 2009 Registration Fee: Scouts $70.00 Adults $10.00
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 activities, and Patrol Leaders are responsible for organizing their patrols with meetings and activities. The Patrol Leaders Council meets on the 1st Monday of every month.
Behind The Scenes There is also a high level of involvement on the part of four Assistant Scoutmasters and a dedicated parent group. We believe each boy’s successful experience in scouting depends on parental understanding of, and participation in, their son’s activities and advancement. To that end, Troop 508 asks that one parent join the troop and participate in the parent group that meets on the 3rd Monday of every month. Parents of new Scouts are strongly urged to attend our New Parent Orientation as well as on-line training offered by the Santa Clara County Council.
Troop Communication: We use a Yahoo email group as our primary means of communicating upcoming trips, events, leadership opportunities, and general information. We also have a website at www.troop508.org with photos, calendars, and other resources for Scouts and parents. For more information, please contact our Scoutmaster or Committee Chair.
Contacts: Scoutmaster: Bill Turpin scoutmaster@troop508.org 395-2074
Committee Chair: Janet Gregg committeechair@troop508.org 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 - Position Open !
Membership Chair: Patricia Lee
Webmaster: Ron Martin