About Troop 505
Who we are
Our foundation
mission
Troop 505’s mission is to prepare boys to become capable, confident young men of character through adventure, leadership, and service. Scouts learn by doing in a Scout-led, adult-guided program grounded in the Patrol Method and the Scout Oath and Law.
vision
Troop 505 strives to be a troop where boys learn from older Scouts, take on real responsibility, and grow through shared adventure into young men of character and leadership.
Scout led, Adult Guided
Troop 505 is Scout-led with adult guidance. Scouts plan meetings, lead patrols, organize campouts, and make decisions about their program. Adults serve as mentors and safety guides, providing structure and experience while keeping Scouts in the driver’s seat. This balance builds confidence and character as younger Scouts learn from older Scouts, older Scouts grow by teaching and leading, and adults guide from the background, stepping in when needed.
Scout Leadership
Youth leadership roles include:
Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)
The top youth leader in the troop who leads meetings and coordinates youth leadership.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL)
Supports the SPL and often oversees specific areas such as program, Scout skills, or service.
Patrol Leader (PL)
Leads a patrol and represents the patrol on the Patrol Leaders’ Council.
Assistant Patrol Leader (APL)
Assists the Patrol Leader and helps lead the patrol.
Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC)
A group of elected youth leaders who plan troop meetings, campouts, and activities.
Troop Guide
Helps new Scouts learn skills and understand how the troop operates.
Instructor
Teaches specific skills to other Scouts.
Scribe
Maintains attendance and troop records and often serves as Webmaster or Historian.
Chaplain's Aide
Supports the spiritual life of the troop and helps organize Scouts’ Own services.
Quartermaster
Manages troop equipment and helps ensure gear is ready for activities.
Outdoor Ethics Guide
Promotes conservation and Leave No Trace principles.
Order of the Arrow Representative (OA Rep)
Represents the Order of the Arrow and promotes service opportunities.
Scout led, Adult Guided
Troop 505 is Scout-led with adult guidance. Scouts plan meetings, lead patrols, organize campouts, and make decisions about their program. Adults serve as mentors and safety guides, providing structure and experience while keeping Scouts in the driver’s seat. This balance builds confidence and character as younger Scouts learn from older Scouts, older Scouts grow by teaching and leading, and adults guide from the background, stepping in when needed.
Scout Leadership
Youth leadership roles include:
Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)
The top youth leader in the troop who leads meetings and coordinates youth leadership.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL)
Supports the SPL and often oversees specific areas such as program, Scout skills, or service.
Patrol Leader (PL)
Leads a patrol and represents the patrol on the Patrol Leaders’ Council.
Assistant Patrol Leader (APL)
Assists the Patrol Leader and helps lead the patrol.
Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC)
A group of elected youth leaders who plan troop meetings, campouts, and activities.
Troop Guide
Helps new Scouts learn skills and understand how the troop operates.
Instructor
Teaches specific skills to other Scouts.
Scribe
Maintains attendance and troop records and often serves as Webmaster or Historian.
Chaplain's Aide
Supports the spiritual life of the troop and helps organize Scouts’ Own services.
Quartermaster
Manages troop equipment and helps ensure gear is ready for activities.
Outdoor Ethics Guide
Promotes conservation and Leave No Trace principles.
Order of the Arrow Representative (OA Rep)
Represents the Order of the Arrow and promotes service opportunities.
Adult Leadership
Troop 505’s adult leaders serve in two roles that support a strong, Scout-led program. The Troop Committee handles operations like finances, records, equipment, fundraising, and logistics, while the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters mentor youth leaders, support advancement, and provide guidance and safety on meetings and outings. Together, adults create the structure and support that lets Scouts lead with real ownership.
Adult leadership roles include:
Troop Committee Roles
Committee Chair
Oversees the troop committee and coordinates committee activities in support of the Scoutmaster and Program Team.
Advancement Chair
Tracks Scout advancement, manages records, and coordinates Boards of Review and Courts of Honor.
Membership Chair
Supports onboarding of new Scouts and families, manages registrations and rechartering, and helps ensure a smooth transition into the troop.
Recruiting Chair
Leads recruiting efforts, coordinates outreach events, and supports welcoming prospective Scouts and families into Troop 505.
Training Chair
Encourages and tracks adult leader training, helps new volunteers complete required training, and supports ongoing development for adult leaders.
Outdoor Chair and Camp Champions
Support campouts and outdoor activities by coordinating logistics, reservations, transportation planning, and adult participation.
Troop Committee Members
Provide general support across finances, equipment, fundraising, transportation, communications, and special projects as needed.
Chartered Organization Representative
Serves as the liaison between Troop 505 and our chartered organization, Oak Hill United Methodist Church, ensuring alignment and support.
Adult Program Roles
Together, the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters create an environment where Scouts take ownership of their troop, learn leadership through real responsibility, and grow through outdoor adventure, service, and teamwork.
Scoutmaster
Mentors the Senior Patrol Leader, supports the Patrol Leaders’ Council, and provides overall guidance to youth leaders. The Scoutmaster helps shape the program, coaches leadership development, and ensures Scouts have the opportunity to lead while receiving appropriate adult guidance.
Assistant Scoutmasters
All Assistant Scoutmasters mentor Scouts and youth leaders, provide guidance at meetings and campouts, and often serve as Adult Camp Champions or activity champions to help outings run safely and smoothly while keeping Scouts in the lead.
ASM for Program
Mentors the ASPL for Program and supports planning and execution of troop meetings, activities, and events.
ASM for Scout Skills
Mentors the ASPL for Scout Skills and supports skill instruction, advancement, and Trail to First Class efforts.
ASM for Service
Mentors the ASPL for Service and supports service projects, conservation efforts, and community involvement.
Eagle Mentors
Provide one-on-one guidance to individual Scouts after they reach Life rank, helping them navigate the Eagle process, set goals, and stay on track while ensuring the Scout maintains ownership of their Eagle journey.
Adult Leadership
Troop 505’s adult leaders serve in two roles that support a strong, Scout-led program. The Troop Committee handles operations like finances, records, equipment, fundraising, and logistics, while the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters mentor youth leaders, support advancement, and provide guidance and safety on meetings and outings. Together, adults create the structure and support that lets Scouts lead with real ownership.
Adult leadership roles include:
Troop Committee Roles
Committee Chair
Oversees the troop committee and coordinates committee activities in support of the Scoutmaster and Program Team.
Advancement Chair
Tracks Scout advancement, manages records, and coordinates Boards of Review and Courts of Honor.
Membership Chair
Supports onboarding of new Scouts and families, manages registrations and rechartering, and helps ensure a smooth transition into the troop.
Recruiting Chair
Leads recruiting efforts, coordinates outreach events, and supports welcoming prospective Scouts and families into Troop 505.
Training Chair
Encourages and tracks adult leader training, helps new volunteers complete required training, and supports ongoing development for adult leaders.
Outdoor Chair and Camp Champions
Support campouts and outdoor activities by coordinating logistics, reservations, transportation planning, and adult participation.
Troop Committee Members
Provide general support across finances, equipment, fundraising, transportation, communications, and special projects as needed.
Chartered Organization Representative
Serves as the liaison between Troop 505 and our chartered organization, Oak Hill United Methodist Church, ensuring alignment and support.
Adult Program Roles
Together, the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters create an environment where Scouts take ownership of their troop, learn leadership through real responsibility, and grow through outdoor adventure, service, and teamwork.
Scoutmaster
Mentors the Senior Patrol Leader, supports the Patrol Leaders’ Council, and provides overall guidance to youth leaders. The Scoutmaster helps shape the program, coaches leadership development, and ensures Scouts have the opportunity to lead while receiving appropriate adult guidance.
Assistant Scoutmasters
All Assistant Scoutmasters mentor Scouts and youth leaders, provide guidance at meetings and campouts, and often serve as Adult Camp Champions or activity champions to help outings run safely and smoothly while keeping Scouts in the lead.
ASM for Program
Mentors the ASPL for Program and supports planning and execution of troop meetings, activities, and events.
ASM for Scout Skills
Mentors the ASPL for Scout Skills and supports skill instruction, advancement, and Trail to First Class efforts.
ASM for Service
Mentors the ASPL for Service and supports service projects, conservation efforts, and community involvement.
Eagle Mentors
Provide one-on-one guidance to individual Scouts after they reach Life rank, helping them navigate the Eagle process, set goals, and stay on track while ensuring the Scout maintains ownership of their Eagle journey.