Troop 23 is part of the Boy Scouts of America. We belong to the Laurel Highlands Council and are within the Eagle Valley District. In June 2014, Conestoga District merged with Steel City District. The new district incorporates communities in southern part of Allegheny County. The former Conestoga District includes parts of the city of Pittsburgh (Beechview, Brookline), Bethel Park, Castle Shannon, Dormont, Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair. Steel City District included the city of Pittsburgh neighborhoods Carrick, Knoxville and South Side and Baldwin Township, Jefferson Hills, Mt. Oliver, Munhall, Pleasant Hills, South Park, West Mifflin, and Whitehall.
Boy Scouts are boys in 6th through 12th grades who are under the age of 18 years. The Dormont United Methodist Church became the Charter Organization for Troop 23 in 1925. In April 2014, DUMC closed its doors but the charter was transferred to nearby Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church. In June, 2014, the troop moved to Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church, our new charter organization. At the present time, Troop 23 has 19 registered Scouts in two patrols and 16 registered adult leaders as well as numerous parents who are actively involved helping not only their son but also other scouts.
Boys can become scouts in three ways: - Boys with no Scouting experience can come to a meeting, and if they like what they see, complete an application
- Webelo Scouts Crossover from Cub Scouts. Webelo scouts are transferred from the Pack into the Troop
- A Scout may transfer from another Troop into Troop 23
Dues are $75 per year payable by the end of November. Payment plans can be arranged with the Treasurer or the Committee Chair, if needed. Dues for Scouts joining during the year will be prorated at $5 per month. Payment is due with the application.
Troop 23 expects scouts to wear a Class A uniform shirt to meetings unless otherwise noted. The first Tuesday of the month is usually a Class B meeting night. Class B uniforms—for example, a troop t-shirt—can be purchased from the Troop and worn on First Tuesdays. However, if a Scout scheduled a Scoutmaster Review, he should wear his Class A uniform even though it is the first Tuesday. Scouts should always wear a Class A uniform for Boards of Review and Courts of Honor.
Scouts are placed in patrols based on their age, experience and the current configuration of the patrols when they join. The Troop re-configures patrols occasionally. There are guidelines that Scouts follow regarding advancement. These will be discussed by the Scoutmaster with the Scout as he moves through the ranks.
Adults who want to register as leaders must complete an application that includes information for a background check. Before the application is process the applicant must show proof that he or she completed the BSA Youth Protection training by presenting the certificate awarded after the online training is completed.
The BSA & troop dues for Scouts are $75.00. Additionally, a scout may purchase a one year subscription to Boys Life Magazine for $12.00. November is the due date for payment of dues. The BSA adult leader dues are $37.00; the troop pays the dues for the registered adult leaders.
Service Projects
Cheerful Service is an important component of Troop 23's program. Some of the service projects the Troop participates are Scouting for Food (through the entire Dormont Community) and community clean-up when scouts canvas the area and pick up litter and trash. In addition, they are starting a new tradition of helping to set up the church's Flea Market Fundraiser and donating food for the Food Pantry. An important community service that is a long tradition of the Troop is the setting out of Flags on West Liberty Avenue in the Dormont Community on specific holidays. These and other community services help our scout develop character and good citizenship.
Yearly Schedule
Troop 23 has a 14-month calendar, September to October. In August, we review September and October and plan the next 12 months.
The troop attends resident camp each year, usually in July. The Troop follows a two-year camping cycle. In even-numbered years, the Troop attends the Laurel Highlands Council's Heritage Reservation in Farmington, Pennsylvania, and in each odd-numbered year the Troop attends a different Out-of-Council Boy Scout Summer Camp.
Laurel Highlands Council has a High Adventure program at Heritage Reservation. Scouts 13 years or older are eligible to attend high adventure treks. (see Heritage Eagle Base for information about the programs.)
To defray the cost of Summer Camp, Scouts participate in fundraisers. Summer camp fundraisers include Market Day, Popcorn and most recently, pie, soup, dip, and hoagie sales. 100% of those profits go to the boy's account (ISA or Individual Scout Account). We will occasionally add other fundraisers such as Boston Market or a car wash. When the Scout ages out or leaves the troop, unused money in Scout ISAs return to the Troop treasury.
Troop fundraisers include an annual Spaghetti Dinner (scouts & adults), staffing a tent at the Dormont Street Fair (scouts & adults), and collecting aluminum cans in a can trailer parked near the Dormont pool (adult-only activity). The Troop holds a Spaghetti Dinner in January each year to defray the cost of running the troop. Scouts are expected to participate by volunteering at the Spaghetti Dinner and it is hoped that parents will also volunteer. As a part of being a member of, and supporting a group, Scouts are requested to sell tickets for the Spaghetti Dinner tickets to their family, friends and relatives.