FAQ

New Families

  • Youth ages 11–17 can join if they have completed 5th grade, earned the Arrow of Light award, or are at least 11 years old. No previous scouting experience is required.

  • The best way to start is to attend a troop meeting as a guest. Families can meet the scouts and leaders, ask questions, and then complete a membership application through the troop and the Boy Scouts of America.

  • The troop meets weekly during the school year on Tuesday nights from 7–8pm at the Barrington Congregational Church, 461 County Rd.

  • Meetings are run by the scouts and usually include skill instruction, patrol meetings, planning for upcoming campouts, and games or activities.

  • The troop typically camps about once a month and participates in a week-long summer camp each year.

  • Costs generally include annual registration fees, troop dues, and optional activity costs such as campouts or summer camp. Fundraising opportunities may help offset costs.

Scouts

  • No. Scouts learn outdoor skills after joining the troop. Older scouts help teach younger scouts.

  • Scouts progress through ranks by learning skills, participating in activities, demonstrating leadership, and completing service.

    For scouts to advance they need to follow these steps

    1. Complete the requirements for each rank

    2. Have a Scout Master Conference (SMC)

    3. Participate in a Board of Review (BoR).

    Having met the requirements for the next rank, Scouts must

    1. Have their SMC before or during the Troop 46 Committee meeting on the LAST Tuesday of every month

    2. At that Committee meeting their BoR will be scheduled for the FIRST Tuesday of next month

  • Ranks include Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and the highest rank, Eagle Scout.

  • Merit badges are awards scouts earn by learning about specific topics—from camping and first aid to photography and engineering.

  • Yes. The troop is youth-led. Scouts can serve in leadership roles such as patrol leader, senior patrol leader, or troop guide.

Parents

  • Yes. Scouts plan meetings, organize activities, and lead the troop with guidance from adult volunteers.

  • Adults provide mentorship, safety oversight, transportation, and administrative support. Many parents serve as troop leaders or committee members.

  • Yes, but adults who camp with the troop must be registered and trained according to policies from the Boy Scouts of America.

  • The troop follows the safety and youth protection policies of the Boy Scouts of America, including background-checked leaders and two-deep leadership at all activities.

  • Most communication happens through email, a monthly newsletter and the troop’s online tools (such as Scoutbook or another communication platform).