BSA Troop 286

Welcome to the Awesome Adventure Zone with Scout Troop 286!

Hey there, future adventurers and cool parents! Scout Troop 286 isn’t just your average troop; we’re like a team of young explorers, lifelong buddies, and FUN enthusiasts! Get ready for an epic journey where we’ll dive into thrilling backpacking adventures, rock some kayaking and water rafting, and learn super cool values that make us awesome individuals.

Embark on Backpacking Adventures:

Imagine this – walking through wild forests, crossing streams like pros, and camping under a sky full of twinkling stars. Our backpacking adventures are not just hikes; they’re like super fun journeys where we laugh a lot, make great friends, and feel super proud of ourselves. Join us for a trek where the fun is as big as the great outdoors!

Paddle Through Adventures:

Time to hop on an adventure boat with us! Picture this – kayaking down rivers, feeling the splash, and conquering the rapids in water rafting. Our adventures aren’t just about learning cool stuff; they’re like a big party where we paddle, laugh, and have a blast together. Whether it’s kayaking or rafting, we’ll navigate rivers, lakes, and coastal waters and make awesome memories. Ready to paddle through adventures with us? Dive into the excitement and join Scout Troop 286!

Scouting Values We Live By:

At the heart of Scout Troop 286 are some super cool values that turn us into awesome individuals. And guess what? We believe in having FUN for life while living by these values:

• Trustworthiness: A scout is honest, reliable, and true to their word. Trust is the foundation of strong bonds and enduring friendships.
• Loyalty: We stand by each other through thick and thin, fostering a sense of loyalty that creates a supportive and caring community.
• Respect: Respect for oneself, others, and the environment is paramount. We learn to appreciate diversity and treat everyone with kindness.
• Responsibility: Scouts take charge of their actions and responsibilities, developing leadership skills and a sense of duty towards others.
• Courage: Whether facing challenges in the wilderness or in everyday life, we cultivate the courage to tackle difficulties head-on and emerge stronger.
• Outdoor Ethics: We instill a deep appreciation for nature and follow Leave No Trace principles, ensuring we leave the environment as beautiful as we found it.
• Service to Others: Scouts are encouraged to give back to their communities, fostering a sense of social responsibility and making a positive impact on the world around us.

Proud Achievement:

Guess what? In 2023, Scout Troop 286 became the 5th top-selling Scouts troop in the United States! It’s like winning a super cool award for being awesome. Join us and be part of our award-winning journey where adventure meets values, and every step is a step closer to having FUN for life. Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?

New Membership Coordinator: Adele Persicone

Email: info@bsatroop286.com

Request Application or More Info: https://beascout.scouting.org/list/?zip=95136&program%5B%5D=scoutsBSA&unitID=298168

TOP 10 Facts   

1. Our troop offers a diverse and active Scouting program that focuses on hiking, rock climbing, cycling, and water adventures. In addition to monthly overnight camping trips and a week at a BSA summer camp, we offer challenging high adventure trips for older Scouts including an annual week-long ’50-Miler’ backpacking trip to destinations such as the Idaho Rockies, the California Lost Coast, and Philmont BSA High Adventure Base in New Mexico; and high adventure camps such as Sea Base, Emerald Bay, and Montana High Adventure Base (MOHAB).

2. Convenient location and meeting times. We meet in the Holy Family Community center, every Monday from 7:00 – 8:30 pm. Conveniently located in the South Bay, the Community center offers plenty of space for the Scouts to run indoor meetings and outdoor activities & games. The troop is fully equipped with camping and outdoor equipment and essentials to ensure successful outings.

3. A ‘boy-led’ Troop.  Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement designed the Boy Scout program to be led by the Scouts themselves. Our adult leaders provide direction, coaching, and a safe environment, but the Troop is run by the Scouts. They hold monthly councils and semi-annual planning meetings.  They decide on the Troop’s monthly meeting themes and outings. They plan the activities during campouts. Youth leadership positions are elected every 6 months allowing Scouts to fulfill rank requirements on their trail to Eagle.

4. We have a diverse and active group of 70-80 registered scouts. Troop 286 has 6 patrols, including Scouts of all ranks and ages. Baden-Powell’s Patrol Method enables our Scouts to:

• learn from each other; 
• support each other and operate as a team; 
• learn what’s involved in leading their peers; 
• discover that ‘leading’ doesn’t mean doing all the work yourself; 
• find out what it means to be led by someone they’ve elected. 

5. Founded in 1966, we have over 55 years of Scouting history and tradition, Eagle achievement and community service. In addition to offering a robust outdoor program and youth leadership opportunities, we regularly engage in community service projects such as our monthly Adopt-a-Park cleanups, support of the annual Holy Family Festival, and running the climbing wall at Chesebrough Scout Reservation for Cub Scout camps.

6. A wealth of experienced adult leadership. We have an active corps of more than 20 registered adult leaders, including 10 active Assistant Scoutmasters. Additionally, with 25 adult Merit Badge counselors– there are plenty of trained adults to support our Scouts’ trail to Eagle; mentor our youth leaders; and guide them through their rank advancements. 

7. Trail to Eagle and Leadership training.   We have an excellent Trail to Eagle program. Our troop’s adult merit badge counselors offer all the Eagle required merit badges, as well as many other electives. Additionally, the troop offers community service and other youth leadership positions to help our Scouts on the trail to Eagle. The troop also actively sponsors Scouts for Bristlecone National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) and National Eagle Scout Association (NESA).

8. Troop 286 Expectations of Scouts:

1. Active and consistent participation in Troop meetings, outings, and activities.
2. Active participation in Troop or Scout service projects.
3. An honest effort to advance through the scouting ranks with the assistance of youth and adult Scout leaders and support of parents.
4. A sincere effort to live at all times in accordance with the principles of the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan to develop and show the true spirit of Scouting.
5. Participation in youth leadership roles to help other scouts learn and advance.

9. Participation in Quicksilver district and council events. We encourage the Scouts to have a broad scouting experience by participating in events such as Camporee and Scout-O-Rama.  We also actively participate in the Order of The Arrow and other special events.

10. We focus on ‘Fun with a Purpose’. We help Scouts build life-long survival and social skills, leadership qualities, and good moral concepts — all while having fun and enjoying the natural beauty of the Bay Area and surrounding areas.

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