Troop #70 is chartered by and meets at Silverside Church, located at 2800 Silverside Road; Wilmington, DE 19810
Thursdays (holidays permitting)
September through June, 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Cline Hall at Silverside Church
7:00 Opening & Announcements
7:10 Advancement
7:40 Camping Preparation/Troop Activity
8:10 Interpatrol Activity/Game
8:25 Closing & Announcements
First Sunday of each month (September through June, holidays allowing), 7:00 - 8:30 PM, in the Silverside Church library. Committee meetings are open. Troop leaders are expected to attend. Parents are welcome at any time.
Patrol Leader Council Meetings:
Final Thursday of August from 6:00 - 8:30 PM and the first Thursday of October through June from 6:00-7:00 PM. All Scouts holding a Position of Responsibility are expected to attend.
Annual Dues
Dues cover registration, Boy's Life, awards, Courts of Honor and most camping fees. The total sum of $100.00 is due no later than the last meeting held during September. Checks should be made payable to BSA Troop #70. Scouts who do not pay annual dues are not rechartered and their unit membership will expire with the current charter. Parents of Scouts who are unable to pay dues due to financial difficulties should inform the Troop Committee Chairman, as the troop will gladly come up with an alternative payment plan or fundraising solution.
Uniform:
Scouts and registered leaders wear the Offical Boy Scout shirt, pants, belt, socks, neckerchief and slide. Shirts must have De-Mar-Va council shoulder patch, 70 numerals, and red epaulets. Current patrol, rank, and leadership patches must be worn, including Arrow of Light if applicable. The world crest, anniversary strips, trained patches, service pins, and temporary patches may be worn as well
Troop members should also have an activity uniform: Troop #70 tee-shirt, official Boy Scout pants or shorts, belt, socks, and shoes as instructed.
Camping:
One weekend trip per month from September through June. Leave on Friday at 6PM, return on Sunday between 11AM and Noon. Scouts are expected to camp regularly.
One week of summer camp per year at a Boy Scout camp chosen by the boys, generally in July or August.
High Adventures are held every other year, alternating high adventure activities each time.
Troop #70 depends on parents to transport boys and gear to camp. Parents are welcome to stay through the weekend, and are encouraged to join the troop for camping activities.
Courts of Honor:
Advancement is recognized by presentation of awards at meetings in November and June. Family members are invited to the presentation. June's Court of Honor is accompanied by a picnic on the church grounds.
An Eagle Court of Honor is held for each member of the troop that attains the rank of Eagle. These ceremonies are held specifically to honor that Scout and are followed by a reception for family, friends, and troop members.
Advancement Requirements and Records:
Each Scout's Boy Scout Handbook is the primary record of advancement. Scouts are expected to secure the proper signature upon completion of each requirement, and then to present the approval signatures to the troop advancement chairperson. The troop maintains advancement records based on the Scout's handbook. Toward the end of each meeting, before game, Scouts who have completed advancement requirements that evening are to leave their books at the counter. During game, the troop Advancement Chair will update the troop records. Scouts can collect their books after game.
Merit Badges - Blue merit badge cards are required for each merit badge a Scout earns. Scouts must obtain scoutmaster approval prior to beginning work on a badge. Scouts are responsible for maintaining the blue cards until the badge has been completed and signed by the counselor. Upon completion, the Scout must present the approved card to the scoutmaster, who will ultimately approve it and forward the card to the troop advancment chairperson.
Leadership - Serving in a Position of Responsibility is a requirement for advancment to Star, Life, and Eagle ranks. Troop elections are held twice a year, for terms running from January 1 through June 30, and from July 1 through December 31. Elected and appointed leaders are expected to actively serve in their position in order to advance.
Activity and Scout Spirit - Perhaps two of the most overlooked requirements for advancment, Troop #70 takes these seriously. In order to advance, a scout is required to be active in the troop, through attendance of troop meeting, PLC's, camping events, fundraisers, service projects, and other troop or patrol activities. Likewise, scouts are to demonstrate Scout Spirit at all times, living the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives.
Boy Accounts
Boy Accounts are maintained to help offset the costs of summer camp and high adventure activities. Boys earn portions of various fundraisers. Accounts may be applied to either of the aforementioned activities. Boy accounts are closed every other year, on August 31 following a high adventure activity. Unused balances remaining in individual Boy Accounts at that time revert to the general troop treasury. Contact Nancy Jones to obtain current account balances. Statements for Boy Account balances are made available at each troop court of honor.
Grocery Coupons
An ongoing fundraising activity in which every Scout's family can participate involves the purchase of grocery coupons redeemable at Super G stores in the area. Individual coupons in the amount of $10, $25, or $50 are available for purchase. Using the coupons is the same as paying with cash; the participating stores accept them at their full face value. The troop obtains the coupons at a 4% discount: that is, Troop #70 obtains $1,000 worth of coupons by paying only $960. Of the 4% discount, three percent (3%) is credited to the Scout's Boy Account. The remaining one percent (1%) goes into the troop treasury. Thus for every $100 of coupons purchased by the family, the designated Boy Account receives $3 and the troop receives $1. On a broader scale, if your family spends $100 per week on groceries, a Scout could amass $300 over a two year period, offsetting almost half the costs of a typical High Adventure. Even more if you recruit family members into using the coupons! One point to keep in mind: if you would receive change from your purchase when you use coupons, that amount remains on the coupon. Please contact Nancy Jones (477-0577) with any questions.
Popcorn Sale
Popcorn sales generally begin every year on October 1 and is delivered in early December. Those Scouts who participate have found that the income is very high compared to other organizations' fundraisers. All proceeds for this fundraiser go into a Scout's Boy Account. Visit Trails End website for product details. Please contact Nancy Jones with any questions.
Pancake Breakfast
Troop #70's holds an annual pancake breakfast to help offset costs of gear replacement, awards, camping fees, etc. This is truly a troop event. Parents and Scouts plan and run the event. Please refer to the troop's schedule for the date of the next pancake breakfast, or contact the Troop Fundraising Chair with any questions.
Amazon.com
The most overlooked fundraising program used by the troop, Amazon.com's Associate program pays the troop a referral fee for any product purchased as a result of a referring link from the Troop #70 website. The troop earns 5% on all purchases of books, CD's, DVD's, and videos made via our links, and up to 15% on purchases of books featured on our site. Referral fees on other products are limited to $10.00. Please contact Matt Bib with any questions, or visit Amazon.com to shop for products. Please note that products saved into a shopping cart will not reflect the troop's referral during subsequent visits.
Car Washes
Car washes are held when possible throughout the fall and spring at Exxon on Foulk and Silverside Roads. They generally start at 10AM and run as long as possible, depending on volunteers, weather, daylight, etc. Lunch is usually provided. Scouts and leaders are encouraged to volunteer their time and equipment, including buckets, sponges, hoses, radio, etc. Please contact Jamie King with any questions.
Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow is Scouting's National Honor Society. Scouts are elected to the Order by their fellow unit members. To become a member, a youth must meet specific rank and camping requirements. Once elected, a candidate must complete an Ordeal weekend and may later seal his membership by converting to Brotherhood.
Del-Mar-Va Council's OA Lodge is Nentego Lodge #20. The lodge is part of the larger Northeast Section NE4C. The lodge is divided into chapters, corresponding with that council's districts. As such, all Troop #70 OA members are part of the Freedom Trail Chapter.
Nentego Lodge #20 holds three ordeal weekends per year, which all OA members are encouraged to attend. These are held in October, April and June, either at Rodney or Henson Scout Reservations. Additionally, the Lodge Banquet is traditionally held in February.
Freedom Trail Chapter meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month at Limestone Presbyterian Church at 7:00 PM, coinciding with the monthly district roundtable. All OA members are encouraged to attend this, as well as other Chapter events, such as bowling nights and service projects.
