Boy Scouts of America - Troop 33
ABOUT US

History of Troop 33
QUICK FACTS

When/Where
We meet every Monday from 7:30-9:00 at the Scout Hut at 6100 Sardis Road across the street from Sardis Presbyterian Church, which furnishes us with our facilities and support. On the 3rd weekend of each month (except December) we have an activity, usually camping, hiking or other outdoor adventure. In the month of June we attend Summer Camp. Also in June or July, the older Scouts have the opportunity to participate in our annual “High Adventure” Trip.

Boy-led structure/organization
The Troop currently consists of ~50 active Scouts (boys aged 11-17). Each Scout is in one of 8 Patrols led by a Patrol leader. The new Scouts (The “Shark Patrol”) are in their own Patrol for their first 6-12 months and are closely tutored by two adult leaders who prepare the boys for their introduction into Scouting. The Patrols report to the Senior Patrol Leader and his Assistant and all Patrol Leaders as well as the Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader make up the Patrol Leadership Committee (PLC). The PLC meets monthly with the adult leaders and together they form the decision making body of the Troop.

Adult Leadership
Each Patrol has 2 BSA trained Assistant Scoutmasters (ASM) as a mentor and guide. All of the ASM’s report to the Scoutmaster, Thom Sumner, who has final decision making authority. The Troop Committee consists of an additional 15-20 men and women led by Mike Olert (the Troop Committee Chairman) who deal with the organizational and administrative necessities of running a Boy Scout Troop.

Camping!
Troop 33 is a “High Adventure” Troop. We are extremely active and will camp each month as scheduled rain or shine unless safety dictates otherwise. The boys learn a wide variety of outdoor skills which will help them develop a surprising degree of independence and self-confidence. Some of our scheduled camping takes the form of Service Projects and has been for a variety of worthy causes. Summer Camp is strongly recommended for all Scouts. The Annual High Adventure trip is for Scouts who have achieved the rank of 1st Class and are at least 13 years old at the time of the trip. The High Adventure events have recently included Sailing in the Caribbean, Kayaking on Lake Superior and backpacking in Maine and New Mexico. We are serious about our camping!

Troop Philosophy
We believe in outdoorsmanship and fun mixed with service and discipline. We expect a commitment and responsibility from the boys and in return the Troop will give the boys the opportunity to learn and practice skills and develop the intangible qualities that will serve them well later in life: “Leadership”, “Discipline”, “Self-confidence”, “Responsibility”. The 12 points of the Scout Law and the Scout Oath are our mission statements.