You are about to launch your journey on the Scouting trail which takes you from the joining rank of Boy Scout through Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, 1st Class, Star, Life, and hopefully to the pinnacle of all Scouting … the rank of EAGLE.

During your Scouting years, you will be involved in many activities including camping, cooking, pioneering, hiking, backpacking, fishing, conservation, community service, and emergency preparedness. You will enjoy good fellowship with boys your own age in your own community. You will make many new friends, and most important of all, you will have a lot of fun.

To the Parents:

You will see your child develop in the areas of good citizenship, outdoor skills, leadership, peer compatibility, and mental awareness. He will develop strength, confidence, and good judgment. He will find out how it feels to be a leader.

Your interest and active participation in the Scouting program will not only enhance your son’s Scouting experience, but will provide you and your son with memories to last a lifetime. As expected, the more you put into the program, the more you will get out of it. Troop 345 especially prides itself on the strength of our parental support. PLEASE COME AND JOIN US!

We, the Troop Committee, Pledge:

To take an interest in your boy; to expend all our efforts and training skills in helping him advance along the Scouting trail; to guide him and instruct him in a positive manner with his best interests at heart.

To do this, we need your help. Please familiarize yourself and your Scout with the contents of this information packet that outlines the regulations and policies of the Troop as set forth by the Troop Committee. If you have any questions regarding these policies, please contact our Troop Committee by filling out our Contact Us form.

Brief History of Troop 345

Troop 345 was organized as a new troop on September 3, 1969. It was and still is sponsored by the Happy Canyon Optimists Club. The Troop is part of the Denver Area Council, which covers the Denver metro area, and within the Council is part of the Arapahoe District.

Over the years, the Troop has expanded in size and the scope of its activities. The Troop has a policy of monthly campouts and/or Troop activities during the year, and longer term “adventures” during the summer. Our Troop equipment inventory has expanded over the years to now include a full supply of cooking equipment (including propane stoves, 20# propane bottles, dutch ovens, cook kits, etc.), propane lanterns and “trees,” rappelling gear, archery equipment, water filters, and other equipment necessary to keep our Troop on the go. Much of this equipment is stored at the “Troop Shed” located at the outside, south end of the Sundance Hills subdivision swimming pool complex.

Our Troop 345 neckerchief is truly distinctive: orange in color with an embroidered emblem in four colors depicting the Colorado state flag with the points of a compass and the adoptive name “Bushwackers” emblazoned on the back (the emblem is awarded when the Scout achieves Tenderfoot rank).

Many of the Troop activities require adult participation in transportation and implementation. Although we pride ourselves in being a “boy run” Troop, it is the responsibility of the parents involved to ensure proper adult direction and guidance. Many of our leaders have completed Arapahoe District Scouting Fundamentals training and other higher levels of adult leader training. Many of our Scouts have completed various formal Junior Leader or Bighorn Leadership training.

We have matured to the point where we now enjoy a reputation of high esteem in the entire Denver Area Council. In order to keep improving we rely on the annual infusion of new Scouts and parents who will give their time and effort towards maintaining the quality of excellence that Troop 345 strives for.

General Information

Discipline

We expect all of our Scouts to adhere to a spirit of mutual respect and courtesy towards each other. Our standard is to exemplify the traditions of the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.

Misconduct should be reported to the Scoutmaster so it may be dealt with in an appropriate manner. Effort is made to provide proper structure and timing at the meetings so that positive activity precludes the opportunity for misbehavior. After a warning, Scouts will be asked to bring their parent or guardian to provided more direct supervision.

Troop Registration and Dues

The annual Troop dues are used by the Troop in many ways, including the purchase of all rank advancement patches, pins, ribbons, and merit badges. Dues are also used to purchase and/or maintain troop equipment, camping equipment, and general supplies. Dues do not cover all Troop expenses, and for this reason we supplement Troop income with various fundraising activities. We expect all Scouts to participate in these as a valuable lesson in making an entire group function properly.

Costs for weekend campouts, summer camp, and other expeditions are in addition to the above costs. All Scouts are expected to “pay their own way.” Some of our fundraising activities are directed to generate funds directly to a Scout’s personal account to be used for Scouting activities. Never assume you cannot afford a Scout activity without first consulting with the Scoutmaster or the Troop Committee Chair.

Fundraising Opportunities

Troop 345 conducts various fundraising activities to support the Troop and the Scouts within the Troop. One unique aspect of some of our fundraising is the establishment of a fund for each Scout family. This fund may be used to support any Scouting activity for the Scout, including paying for camping trips, equipment, or other supplies. The following provides a brief description of the fundraisers and their purpose:

King Soopers script – This fundraiser specifically benefits the individual Scout’s fund. King Soopers script is purchased at maximum discount through the Troop’s volume, and 5% of all purchased script is credited to each Scout’s fund. This fundraiser is continuous, and script may be obtained at every Troop meeting.

High Trails Popcorn Sales – This fall fundraiser supports both the Scout account as well as Troop equipment replacement.

Holiday Sales – In 2000, the Troop for the first time sold poinsettias as a fundraising activity benefiting both the Scout account and the Troop’s High Adventure camping fund. This was a very successful event that we anticipate continuing in the future.

Friends of Scouting – Each year, the Denver Area Council conducts its annual Friends of Scouting fundraiser. All families are encouraged to support this important Council-wide effort to support the overall aims of Boy Scouts in our region. Much of the funding of Council staff and activities is a result of the direct support of the Friends of Scouting.