Are you an Arrow of Light scout looking for a Scout Troop to cross over to? or maybe you are new to Scouting and want a great Troop to join?
Either way, Troop 437 welcomesall youth to come and experience the adventure of scouting! Visit one of our meetings to experience what Scouting is all about and what makes Troop 437 a great Scout Troop.
We meet every Thursday evening when school is in session. Meetings start at 7:00 pm at the American Legion Post 437 at 114 Dunstable Road. Feel free to contact us at info@westfordtroop437.us and let us know you are coming or to contact us with any questions. For more information about the troop, you can start at our About Us webpage.
Return to Westford: Sunday, November 8th, approx. 10:00 AM
Cost: $40
The cost includes 1 nights camping, 4 meals, and 1 Cracker Barrel snacks
Important Note - Space is on a first-come basis. The cabin accommodates 28, so sign up early!
We're offering a backpack to a cabin. By day we'll complete trail cooking (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner), 5 mile map & compass requirements and have some fun. You'll have your pack on with your gear except a tent. With just your day's food and water the pack will be nice and lite. This gives you a chance to get it adjusted and ready for future adventures. The troop has packs if you don't, just ask.
By night, we'll sleep in a heated cabin with plumbing, yeah! The night will include gaming, a movie and perhaps baked goods?
In the morning, we'll cook breakfast in the cabin, clean up, load up (cars at camp) and head home by 9 AM for arrival about 10 AM.
Do you have an Arrow of Light Cub Scout? Does your teen (age 11-17) love outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and rafting? Troop 437 invites you to our AOL Invitational and Open House on Thursday, October 29th, to learn more about our troop and Scouting!
Troop 437 is a medium-sized troop with boys and girls from Westford and Chelmsford. We meet on Thursday evenings during the school year to learn new skills and enjoy fun activities. Meetings and activities are scout-led and the focus is on learning both leadership and practical skills. Scouts also enjoy optional monthly overnight camping, hiking and adventure trips. Many 437 Scouts have earned the well-respected Eagle Scout rank. We have separate Senior Patrol Leaders and patrols for the Boys and Girls troops, which provides plenty of opportunity for leadership and mentoring.
To learn more and meet the Scouts, visit Troop 437's Open House on Thursday October 29th from 7-8:30 PM at the American Legion, 114 Dunstable Rd., Westford.
Our Fall Troop CourtofHonor is Thursday evening Oct 15th at 7:00 in the Legion Hall. For those new to the Troop, a CourtofHonor is where we recognize all the achievements that the scouts have completed since the last Court. In this case, we will be recognizing all the achievements since the beginning of the summer.
All scouts should attend in full uniform. Scouts should arrive around 6:50 to help with setup.
Parents are invited and encouraged to attend and be present during the awards ceremony. Refreshments will be served after the Court to celebrate the achievements.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the Court! Yours in Scouting, Scoutmasters McKeen & McKeen
Our next MeritBadge Monday will be Monday October 19 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the McKeens' house, 29 Steeple Chase Circle in Westford. Meritbadge counselors will be available for the following badges:
Personal Management (new) -- Mrs. McKeen will meet with Scouts interested in starting this Eagle-required badge.
Citizenship in the Community (ongoing) -- Mr. McKeen will meet with Scouts who have started this Eagle-required badge.
Cooking (ongoing) -- Mrs. Evangelista will be available for check-ins. For cooking requirements (4, 5 or 6), bring completed menu plans and shopping lists for review, or if you've already completed the planning and cooking, bring the meal evaluations. For Req 1-3 or 7, complete the research and be ready to discuss.
Sustainability (ongoing) -- Mr. Evangelista will meet with Scouts who have started this badge.
Personal Fitness (ongoing) -- Mr. Morawiak will be available to review progress on this Eagle-required badge.
Register for your preferred session on the signup form so we know you're attending. Scouts should register for one session only please!
If we don't have any signups for a particular session, the counselor probably won't attend, so please sign up so they know whether to be there! If you need a different badge, you can submit a request and we'll do our best to arrange a session.
Have you heard the term "Court of Honor"? Are you wondering what it is? If so here is a quick description that will hopefully clarify things.
Courts of Honor are when Scouts, Families, and Friends come together to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Troop members. Courts come in two flavors...
Troop Courts of Honor
Troop 437 holds "Troop Courts" are held three times a year. One in the Fall, One in the Winter, and one in the Spring. Troop Courts are where Troop members are recognized for their achievements such as Rank Advancement, Merit Badges, Leadership, and other accomplishments that have been completed since the last court. Troop Courts take the place of a regular Thursday evening Troop meeting and end with "pot luck" style refreshments. Look for notices in the e-blast newsletters about upcoming Troop Courts.
Eagle Courts of Honor
Obtaining Scouting's highest rank of Eagle Scout is a major accomplishment and as such the Troop hosts a special "Eagle Court of Honor" whenever we have a new Eagle Scout to recognize. Eagle Courts are planned and scheduled as needed throughout the year and might honor a single scout or multiple scouts as appropriate. Invitations are sent out electronically announcing the Eagle Courts with a requested RSVP deadline. All families and scouts from the Troop are encouraged to attend the Eagle Courts to help celebrate the accomplishment - even if you do not know the scout it is still important to participate. Scouts from the Troop will be asked to arrive before the ceremony to help with set up and preparations.
Regardless of the type of court, be it Troop Court or Eagle Court, all Troop families are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions, please feel free to let a scoutmaster know.
This week's meeting is a very important meeting! Please attend and participate!
This week's meeting, on October 1st, will be our annual SPL elections. The SPL candidates will present their visions for the Troop, and then voting will commence.
New patrols will be formed, and then the patrols will elect their patrol leaders for the coming year.
All the newly elected leaders will take office starting at the Fall Court of Honor on October 15th.