One of the Oldest Troops in the US

Troop 504 was chartered in 1917, only 7 years after the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. It has operated continually under the charter of the North Congregational Church in the same location for that entire time.

We are dedicated to the principles of personal honor and responsibility, community service, outdoor skills and environmental education, development in leadership, physical fitness, teamwork, and citizenship. Troop 504 is a boy-led troop. Scouts plan and organize all of our programs, with assistance as needed from adults on the troop committee. The troop is organized into patrols, each of which forms a team of about eight scouts. Activities often include competition between patrols.

Scouts may advance through seven ranks (Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle), and have the opportunity to earn merit badges in over 100 different subjects. More advanced scouts also serve the troop in many different leadership positions. Other honors and awards include election to the Order of the Arrow (scouting's honor/service society); 50-miler award for hiking/canoeing; BSA snorkeling, scuba, and mile-swim awards, and life guard certification.

Troop 504 is part of the Great Trails Council, Metacomet District.

Activities

Our activities include monthly camping trips, weekly meetings, regular community service projects, and an annual week-long summer camp in the Adirondacks. Troop members have also attended the National Jamboree, and gone on treks at the Philmont Scout Reservation in the Rincon Mountains of New Mexico, and in the Adirondacks.




Weekly meetings during the school year are held from 7 - 8:30 PM on Mondays (except school holidays) at the Parish Hall of North Congregational Church, in North Amherst. Parking is available in the shopping plaza just to the north of the hall. Boys interested in seeing what we do are welcome to visit any troop meeting. Call the scoutmaster in advance if you would like to know what the program will be for a particular meeting. The program varies, but often includes outdoor skills training, first aid, fitness or sports, campout planning and preparation, and Courts of Honor (where scouts are recognized for their achievements).

Recent camping trips have included canoeing the Saranac Lakes and the Connecticut River, hiking and orienteering at Mt. Greylock and Mt. Monadnock, rock climbing at Rose Ledge and Chapel Ledge, biking on Cape Cod and at Bear Mountain, walking the Freedom Trail in Boston, Camp Tamaracouta near Montreal, fishing at the Hadley Reservoirs, and white-water rafting on the Deerfield River. Camping is required for advancement in ranks.

Basic Camping Gear for Troop Outings

-Sleeping bag (good to zero degrees, or to 20 degrees plus extra
blankets)
-Sleeping pad (Z-rest, Therm-a-rest, or similar compact, lightweight design)
-Mess kit (bowl, plate, cup, knife, fork, spoon -- plastic or aluminum)
-Flashlight (LED headlamp style preferred, but not required)
-Appropriate clothing and footwear for conditions
-Polypropylene long underwear and wool hiking socks
Necessary toiletries (toothbrush, soap, washcloth, etc.)
-Water bottles or water pack (to hold at least 2 quarts)
-Day pack (school backpack OK if suitable for outdoor use)
-Duffel bag to hold gear

Not initially required, but eventually scouts may add
the following as they advance in ranks and work on
merit badges:

-Pocket knife (can only carry after safety course is completed)
-Compass (suitable for orienteering, with declination adjustment)
-First aid kit (as specified in Scout Handbook)
-Survival kit (as specified in Wilderness Survival merit badge)
-Backpack (generally not needed until at least age 13)

The troop supplies tents, axes, saws, stoves, fuel, and cooking gear.

Troop 504 Uniform

-Scout shirt (generally long sleeve for meetings, short sleeve for
   camp if desired)
-Scout pants (shorts for camp, if desired)
-Scout socks
-Scout belt
-Troop 504 neckerchief (supplied by troop)
-Scout neckerchief slide
-Patches (location shown in Scout Handbook)
   -Council strip (Great Trails Council)
   -Numerals 504
   -World Crest (purple fleur-de-lis)
   -Patrol emblem (supplied by troop)
   -Arrow of light (if earned as a Cub)
-Scout Handbook

Items can be purchased at Don Gleason's or ordered from the scout shop at the council office in Dalton (413-684-3542). There is also a Troop 504 T-Shirt that is sold for $5 for the first one, $10 for each additional, prior to summer camp. Every scout who attends camp is expected to bring one Troop 504 T-Shirt.

Dues and Fundraising

Together with Troop 500, we run an annual fundraiser, selling Christmas Trees in downtown Amherst. Every family in both troops participates in this event, usually covering two or three four-hour shifts between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Tree sales are a lot of fun, and this is a town tradition going back at least 50 years. The proceeds enable us to pay the dues for every scout, including a subscription to Boys Life magazine, and to pay for all badges earned. They also cover periodic purchases and repairs of camping equipment, and usually one special trip per year, such as whitewater rafting or canoeing in the Adirondacks.

We do ask for a $60 annual contribution to a troop fund that is used to reimburse parents who purchase food for camping trips. (Scouts are required to plan their patrol menus and take turns shopping for their patrol, with parents submitting receipts for reimbursement from this fund.) Accommodation can be made when contributing to the fund is a hardship.