When
We meet every Monday evening during the school year (excepting holidays) from 7:30 - 8:30 pm.
Where
Our host is the Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase, 7931 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA. Free parking is located behind the club and the building entrance is up the walkway from the parking lot.
VISITING
If you’d like to speak with someone about our ScoutsBSA program, we encourage you to reach out to one of our listed contacts for Boys Troop 8 (BT8) or Girls Troop 8 (GT8). The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for working directly with the Scouts and is always ready to answer your questions or schedule a visit. We also have an adult leader serving as our New Member Coordinator to specifically help new families understand what our Troop is all about and to navigate the joining process.
For families that have never visited with us, we strongly encourage you to attend one of our regular Troop meetings (BT8 or GT8). This will give you an opportunity to see who we are, get a sense for the personality of the group, and decide if you would like to join. We also ask that you read through our Troop Handbook, which describes our philosophy, policies, and procedures in great detail.
Joining
If you decide that BSA Troop 8 is the right place for your son or daughter, then we need:
A completed Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Youth Application: If you are not currently registered with a BSA Unit (in a Pack, Troop, Crew, or Ship), then you are asked to submit an application electronically using one of the QR codes below (snap or click). If you are currently registered with the BSA, then the electronic application likely won’t work and a paper application will be required. Paper applications must be turned into the Troop leadership for signatures. Transfers from another Unit and Cub Scouts crossing over to BSA Troop 8 (BT8 or GT8) typically need the paper application. If you are unsure of your status, we ask that you attempt the electronic application first. As part of the electronic application process, the system will inform you if you are not eligible to continue online.
Boys Troop 8 (BT8)
Girls Troop 8 (GT8)
A completed Annual Health and Medical Record Form: The BSA has established minimum standards for providing medical information prior to participating in outdoor activities, and requires that a basic health and medical record be completed annually by all registered members of the Troop. This is well explained on the form. Parts A and B of this form are required prior to participation in any BSA Troop 8 outdoor activity and should be submitted as part of the joining process. For longer trips (summer camp, high-adventure), additional parts of this form are also required (typically Part C). Please note that Part C requires a licensed health care practitioner to examine the Scout, review their health history, and approve them for participation in a variety of Scout activities (with restrictions as applicable). It should be refreshed annually at the time your Scout normally has their physical exam. All sensitive information on this form is held in confidence as specified by the BSA and defined in the Troop Handbook. To be compliant with HIPAA requirements, this form must be submitted in hardcopy format and should never be transmitted electronically. The completed and signed form will be securely stored by the Troop and carried by the adult trip leader on outings.
A completed Troop 8 Blanket Activity Consent and Release Form: This PDF fillable form is required prior to participation in any BSA Troop 8 outdoor activity. It is a consent and release form intended to cover a specified time period (typically one program year running September through August) and must be submitted in hardcopy format. It should be refreshed if there are any changes. The completed and signed form will be securely stored and carried by the adult trip leader on outings.
A completed Troop 8 Family Questionnaire: This is a PDF fillable form used to convey additional information that the Troop needs to delivery an effective ScoutsBSA program. The information on this form is transferred to our secure, encrypted database and all sensitive information held in confidence as defined in the Troop Handbook. We ask that the information on this form be refreshed annually (typically in the Fall).
A completed BSA Troop Resource Survey for every adult family member who would like to convey their unique skills and interests to the Troop leadership.
Troop annual dues. Troop dues are collected at the start of each program year (in September) and are currently $140 for the first Scout in a family, and $100 for subsequent Scouts. Cub Scouts who transfer into BSA Troop 8 from within the NCAC Council pay a $25 transfer fee, which is then valid until the Troop’s next dues collection in September. New Scouts who are not transfers pay prorated dues for the remainder of the current Scout year (for example, $70 if joining prior to summer camp, $45 if joining in September) as well as paying the September dues for the upcoming program year. Scouts who join electronically through my.Scouting and pay the national dues online should subtract this amount from the submitted Troop dues. In addition to this yearly Troop cost, there are also additional costs associated with some of our more exotic outings (skiing, summer camp, and high adventure). Payments should be made by check (made out to “BSA Troop 8”) and submitted along with the other required forms. Financial assistance may be available by speaking privately with the Scoutmaster and/or Committee Chair.
Adult Participation
When a Scout joins BSA Troop 8 (BT8 or GT8), his or her parents/guardians are expected to support their Scout and contribute to our program. Because we want a new Scout to develop some independence, first-year parents are simply asked to volunteer to drive on outings. After the first year, our expectations will grow, including participation as a member of the Troop Committee or taking on the role of a uniformed leader (if invited by the Scoutmaster). All adults who assume a formal role with the Troop must complete a BSA Adult Application (either electronically on my.Scouting.org or by paper application) and must complete the necessary BSA training associated with their position of leadership. All adults who interact with our Scouts, whether in a formal role or simply as a driver, must complete Youth Protection Training. Any adult who attends one of our outings (whether Uniformed or not) must also have an Annual Health and Medical Record Form on file with the Troop.