Troop 759 is sponsored by Queenship of Mary Church in Plainsboro NJ and was first chartered in 1991. We are in the Mercer Area District of the Central New Jersey Council. We are a troop of about 50 boys of diverse ages and backgrounds who, along with our adult leaders, are committed to Scouting’s values of leadership, service to community, and outdoor skills. Our troop welcomes anyone interested in scouting regardless of race, religion, or national origin. Troop 759 meets in the parish hall (the basement) of Queenship of Mary Church on Friday evenings (except the third Friday of each month, when Cub Scout Pack 759 has its meetings). Troop meetings start at 7:30 P.M. and end around 9:00 P.M.
The Troop
The boys in Troop 759 range in age from 10 or 11 up to 18 years, with the boys in higher ranks holding positions of leadership. The troop is organized into patrols of 8-10 scouts each: 4 patrols of experienced scouts and usually 1 patrol of 1st year scouts. A Patrol Leader (elected by the boys in the patrol) leads each patrol. The “New Scout” patrol is assigned 1 or more Troop Guides from among the older scouts to help them become familiar with the scouting program, assist with guidance toward First Class ranking and with their assimilation into the troop.
The Troop e-mails a monthly newsletter to the home of each scout. This newsletter includes a two-month calendar of events, announcements and information about upcoming events, and reports of past trips.
Additionally, troop information such as The Weekly Message, Troop Calendar, Contact Information, Troop Organization, Archived copies of the Newsletter and more can be found on the troop’s web site www.troop759nj.org.
Meetings
The Troop meets on Friday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 pm, usually three times a month, with a troop activity (camping, hiking, biking trips) scheduled at least once a month. Our meetings are held in the Parish Hall at Queenship of Mary Church in Plainsboro. If the Parish Hall is not available, we hold meetings in the large community room in the Plainsboro Municipal Building or in the dining room at one of the area schools.
Because Troop 759 is a “Boy-led Troop” the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) and (2) Assistant Patrol Leaders (ASPL) run the troop meeting. Each meeting begins with a respectful flag ceremony, and ends with a Scoutmaster Minute or a prayer by our scout Chaplain’s Aide. In keeping with Scouting’s aim of “Fun with a Purpose”, the SPL and ASPLs strive to keep the meetings informative and fun.
Dues
Dues are collected at the last scheduled meeting in each month (September – June). It is the job of the Patrol Leaders and Scribe to collect the $4 from the scouts each month. A reminder for dues will be part of the weekly message delivered by phone and updated on the web site.
Fundraisers
The troop raises additional funds each fall via the council popcorn sale. All scouts are asked to participate in this fundraiser (see the September & October newsletters for details). The funds are used to supplement the troop treasury. Troop expenses include but are not limited to the purchase of equipment, advancement awards, merit badges, Court of Honor food/supplies, fees for scouts/adult leader training, and adult leader attendance at summer camp.
Advancement
We strive to help the boys earn First Class Rank within 18-24 months of bridging, by offering a wide range of outdoor activities geared toward developing their scout skills and experience. After a Scout completes the requirements for each rank, he requests a Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review.
The Scoutmaster Conference is a 1-on-1 meeting with the Scoutmaster where the scout’s skills and experience are evaluated. The scout will be asked questions relevant to the rank being earned and about the scouts’ activities to date.
During a Board of Review, the Scout meets with three members of the Troop Committee to discuss his progress in the Troop.
The Court of Honor is a ceremony in which the scout is recognized for his achievements in the troop. This includes skills learned, ranks achieved and special honors. There are usually four Courts of Honor held per year. In addition, the Troop hosts an individual Court of Honor to celebrate a scout’s attainment of the rank of Eagle. Troop 759 Scouts and parents are invited to attend, along with the scout’s family members and local officials (e.g., Mayor of Plainsboro).
Troop 759 currently has graduated over 30 Eagle Scouts in its 15 year history. Boys who attain the Eagle Scout rank before they are 18 remain active in the troop, and many retain close ties to the troop even after they go off to college.
Our Outdoor Program
Troop 759’s outdoor program is active and varied, and is selected by Scouts with guidance from adult leaders. A typical annual program includes the following: overnight camping, hiking, canoeing, biking, backpacking, river rafting, visiting historical sites, and participation in district camporees (e.g., the annual Klondike Derby), as well as area special events, such as the West Point Invitational Camporee. Most of our trips are within a 3-hour drive from Plainsboro. Every outing must have an adult trip leader and a trip SPL, who together establish the trip itinerary and cost to participants. All participants, both adults and scouts, must pay for the trip. Generally speaking, paid trip monies are non-refundable.
We also schedule one or more opportunities during the summer for scouts to attend summer camp (e.g., a week at Ockanickon Scout Reservation) or to participate in a high adventure trip (e.g., a trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico or Sea Base in Florida).
The troop’s activities and calendar are planned by the Patrol Leader’s Council, made up of the patrol leaders and the SPL and ASPLs, with the Scoutmaster’s advice and guidance.
Service
Troop 759 has a strong tradition of service to the community. In the past few years, our Eagle Scouts, with the help of the troop, have completed numerous projects for the Townships of West Windsor and Plainsboro, and our sponsoring organization, Queenship of Mary Church. Troop 759 has adopted the section of Dey Rd, from its intersection with Scudder’s Mill Rd to the intersection with Scott’s Corner and holds trash pick up sessions twice per year. Every June, a contingent of Troop 759 scouts cheerfully serve at the Special Olympics New Jersey Summer Games, held at The College of New Jersey.
Uniforms
Scouts are required to wear the Class A uniform at meetings, Courts of Honor, District and Council activities. The class A uniform includes the official BSA pants or shorts, separate belt if not included on the pants, shirt, socks, and the BSA Scout Handbook. The BSA cap and neckerchief or bolo are optional. The Class B uniform (considered an activity uniform) consists of a Troop 759 or BSA t-shirt and is worn at troop campouts and at summer camp.
Equipment
Troop 759 maintains camping and outdoor gear to support the troop’s outdoor program. This gear includes tents, cookware, stoves, lanterns, etc. The participating scout is responsible for bringing personal camping gear, only. The Scout book includes a checklist of personal camping gear, p. 224-225. For most trips, we suggest that scouts bring a sleeping bag rated to at least 30 degrees (rated to 10 or 0 degrees if participating in an outdoor winter overnight), a foam or air pad, and a mess kit (this can be a collection of plastic ware) and wear sturdy shoes.
Adult Leaders
The Troop Committee is composed of Scout parents and serves to manage the affairs connected with running a successful troop, such as the treasury, advancement, boards of review, fundraising, membership, and equipment management. We encourage, but do not require, new parents to become involved in the Troop either as Committee Members or as Assistant Scoutmasters. Committee Members and Assistant Scoutmasters are required to take the training offered by the Central New Jersey Council.
The Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and Troop Committee work together to keep the troop running smoothly while never losing sight of the reason we are here: to provide a fun environment in which we can help the boys grow into the leaders of the future.
Image Publication Policy
Pictures, video, and/or audio recordings or representations of individual scouts and adults in Troop 759 are published regularly, in print, on television, or on the internet, as part of the scouting program. By indicating acceptance of this policy on the yearly registration form, parents and adult leaders authorize Troop 759, Mercer Area District, Central New Jersey Council (CNJC) and the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and their representatives, successors, and assigns,
- to use; store; reproduce; and publish visual/audio images made of a Troop 759 scout, adult leader, or parent including photographs; film; video tapes; sound recordings; and/or printed or electronic representations that show his/her image; voice; and/or likeness thereof, and
- the reproduction, sale, copyright, exhibit, broadcast, publishing, electronic storage and/or distribution of said visual/audio images without limitation or compensation.
No names, addresses, phone numbers, or other personal information will be included with any published images without additional permission.
Questions/Concerns
...can be directed to the Troop 759 Scoutmaster, Troop Committee Chairperson or Charter Organization Representative.