Information for New Scouts and Parents

Troop 3 is chartered by the Cokesbury United Methodist Church Men. Our aims in Scouting are to foster citizenship, to build character, and to help Scouts develop physically, mentally and morally. We strive to accomplish this through the outdoor program that operates according to the "Patrol Method". The patrol members are the leaders of the patrols and the troop. The basic role of the adult leaders is to assist and advise the Scouts as they develop in, and progress through, the Scouting program.

When and Where We Meet
Troop 3 meets every Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 8:45 PM, year-round. We meet in the Scout Hut at Cokesbury UMC (map) on 9th Avenue across from Pensacola State College. Our Scout hut is a purpose built facility, constructed by volunteers in 1981, and renovated inside and out in 2008.

Who Runs the Troop?
Troop 3 is a youth-led unit. This means that the Scouts are led by an elected youth leader, called the Senior Patrol Leader or SPL for short. The SPL, with his appointed and elected Assistant Patrol Leaders make up the Patrol Leaders Council, or PLC. The PLC plans and conducts troop meetings and outings, as well as makes decisions about troop activities and functions. This is done under the supervision of the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters.

Uniforms
Troop 3 wears a traditional Boy Scout uniform, including shirt, pants, belt and socks. Troop 3 also has a non-traditional troop neckerchief which is been worn since the troop was first established. New Scouts earn their troop neckerchief only after they have completed an overnight campout with the troop.

All Scouts are expected to attend meetings in a complete uniform and will wear it to and from troop outings.

Camping and Outdoors
Troop 3 maintains an active outdoor program. We camp out at least one weekend of every month, participating in a multitude of activities. We frequently go on two or three weekend hikes, one or more canoe trips, camporees, as well as a variety of other high adventure campouts each year.

In addition, Troop 3 attends at least one council-run summer camp, frequently in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Camps are selected which offer both good programs for younger Scouts as well as high-adventure opportunities for our more experienced members.

Special Activities
Each year, in addition to summer camp, the troop works to take an extra trip. We have had 50-mile canoe trips, have gone to Central Florida to swim with manatees, go on climbing outings, and much more. Other special activities in which the boys can participate include Philmont Scout Ranch (the national Scout camp in New Mexico), Northern Tier (in Minnesota, near the Canadian border), or Seabase (in the Florida Keys). Our Scouts have also participated in National and World Jamborees, which are held at varying locations every four years. As our Scouts grow older, it is participation in activities like these which will create memories to last a lifetime!

We are also involved in service projects throughout the year, including Flag Retirement ceremonies, church and community related service projects, as well as camp improvement projects. Most of the time spent on these can be applied toward Florida Bright Futures Scholarship service hours requirements.

How Do I Join?
Joining is as simple as filling out an official BSA application, taking the time to meet with the Scoutmaster, and paying the first month of dues.

What Does It Cost?
Troop dues are $10 monthly. This covers registration and an annual subscription to Boys' Life magazine. We also ask that all new Scouts pay a one-time equipment fee of $35. This equipment fee pays for new tents and guarantees that tents will be available at all troop and patrol campouts. Typical weekend campouts cost about $20.

Summer camp fees run about $250-$500, depending upon the camp and location. We have a "Campership" program, in which Scouts can earn money to defer the cost of summer camp through a variety of fundraisers throughout the year.

Additionally, all Scouts are expected to participate in troop fundraisers to help keep the cost of Scouting low and affordable.