There are many troops to choose from in the Fairfax, Virginia area and finding the right troop can be a challenge. Troop 1966 offers experiences and leadership skill building for the young men who are in our troop, while also allowing for friendship and fun to be a central part of our program.
Our Troop was started in 1973 in the Kings Park neighborhood. Laurel Ridge Elementary is our meeting place, which is a feeder school to Robinson Secondary School. Most, but not all of the boys in the troop attend Robinson and also participate in Robinson athletics, band, and other activities while in scouting. Currently there are approximately 35 Boy Scouts in our Troop.
Our Troop is "Boy Lead" meaning that the adults play a guiding role in helping the boys who are leaders lead, but allow the boys to learn and grow in leadership, without interference. This allows the boys to plan activities that THEY want to do, instead of activities that the adults want to do. We also teach the boys to live by our motto: "Semper Gumby", which for us means that we must be Always Flexible. We don't create a rigid program, but work to continue to mold our program against the boys needs and wants, allowing them to change plans if it rains, so that our events are fun and safe.
Our program also allows for boys to join our program, even if they have never been a scout before or left Cub Scouts. Boy Scouts IS NOT Cub Scouts and most boys find out quickly that the outdoor adventures and things to do in Boy Scouts is vastly different than what they did in Cub Scouts.
Our Troop 1966 Program Includes (See Troop 1966 Event Plan below for detailed calendar of events):
- Weekly Troop meetings on Thursdays (7:30 p.m. at Laurel Ridge Elementary School)
- Going on Monthly Camping adventures, taking us to mountaintops, rivers, and states outside of Virginia
- An organized Path to Eagle program that allows Scouts who want to make Eagle a support system and plan to get there
- A Summer Camp experience where the boys spend a week at camp and earn merit badges while having fun and building friendships
- A High Adventure Camping program for older Scouts, where we plan trips to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, Seabase in the Florida Keys, and Lenhok'sin at Camp Goshen.
- Camporee Campouts with other area Troops
- A canoeing trip on the Rappahannock River
- Supplying Den Leaders for Cub Scout packs
- Learning to cook great food over an open flame in the outdoors
- Backpacking and Hiking
- ...and much more!!!
We encourage non-scouts and Webelo Scouts to visit us and see what adventures await them when they are away from X-Box, TVs, and Cell Phones and enjoying the great outdoors.
To learn more, read the New Scout Parent Guide, attached below.
The Troop 1966 Uniform and book guide, also attached below, describes those items that will be issued to your scout by the troop, and what you will purchase at the local scout shop.