Troop 60

Since 2022

History

Troop 60 started in September 2022 to provide Scouting opportunities in South Columbia, MO. Impact Rotary charters the troop and is additionally supported by South Rotary. Alan Hillard is the Charter Organization Representative, Mike Colvin is the Scoutmaster, and Alan Hillard, Michael Dulle and Reed Flaherty are Assistant Scoutmasters. The troop became a family troop in 2026.

Troop objective

Adult leaders strive to provide a safe space to learn outdoor and leadership skills. The troop embraces the Patrol Method, and as adult leaders, we provide the Scouts with the opportunities to plan and execute activities. Therefore, planned activities are always subject to change based on the availability of Scouts, extreme weather, safety concerns, and sufficient adult leadership. To the extent possible the adult leaders allow the scouts opportunities to lead the troop program.

Communications

We communicate with parents and scouts via email and text message when appropriate, and are always open to exploring more effective communication modes. Please suggest alternative communication approaches if one comes to mind.

Costs and fundraising

A Scout is thrifty is one of the 12 points of the Scout Law. We strive to minimize costs associated with scouting and believe cost should not be a barrier to joining scouting. Between generous support from Impact and South Rotary and fundraising opportunities like Popcorn and Burgers sales, it is possible for a scout to cover all fees! Some expenses incurred are overviewed below.

  • Registration. Registration in Scouting America can be a moving target at times, with some Scouts needing renewal at varying intervals. Feel free to reach out if you want to know when your scout needs to renew their registration. The Troop strives to defray costs associated with registration when possible.
  • Uniforms. The troop has established a uniform closet with Class A uniforms for scouts to use, provided they fit.
  • Activities. Activities like Merit Badge Colleges, campouts, and other outdoor events may incur costs associated with participation, which are determined on a case-by-case basis. In general, expenses related to activities vary from 5-27 dollars.
  • Scout Camp. During the summer, we plan to return to the Lake of the Ozarks Scout Ranch. This is a fantastic opportunity for scouts to learn outdoor and leadership skills. We attempt to defray costs when possible, and in the past, Scouts have covered the costs of Camp with Popcorn/Burger sales. Cost is approximately $300, which covers meals and program for 6 days! Camperships are available for scouts in need and are best identified early.
  • Meeting time and location. The current meeting time is 7 pm on Wednesday when Columbia Public Schools is in session. We meet at Mill Creek Elementary School.

Uniforms

Scouts should wear Class A (a Brown button-up shirt) or Class B (a Scout-related t-shirt) to meetings whenever possible. The troop does have a few shirts available as part of our Uniform closet that we do our best to outfit scouts with before investing in new shirts, especially as young scouts can quickly grow out of shirts. Pants and shorts are at the discretion of the troop.

Photos and media presence

As the troop matures, we anticipate further developing the Troop 60 website and at times posting to our charter organization’s social media pages. The development plan includes the addition of photos of Scouts in action. We will not post pictures of Scouts’ faces without permission from parents.

Medical forms

Medical forms must be completed to participate in Troop activities. Specifically, Parts A and B need to be completed, but do not require evaluation by medical staff unless the outing exceeds 72 hours. If your scout has a sports or annual physical coming up getting part C filled out is a great option because it is good for a year. Medical Form Link

Youth Protection

Scouting BSA has many policies in place to protect youth. The primary policies are the buddy system and two-deep leadership. In short, there will never be an occasion when a Scout is alone with an adult. Additionally, your scout should never be contacted (phone, email, text) by an adult leader without another adult leader included at a minimum. Instances where a scout contacts a leader one-on-one the reply will include another adult leader and corrective instructions to the scout to either contact 2 leaders.

Parental Involvement

Parents interested in participating in troop activities must be registered members of the Troop and complete Youth Protection Training. We are fortunate to have several invested adult leaders, some with scouts that are children, and some that are lifetime scouters. We are always happy to have more adult leaders! If you want to attend campouts and other activities with your scout you must be a registered troop member and have current youth protection certification.

Scoutbook

Scoutbook is the tool we use to track Scouts’ advancements toward rank and the completion of merit badges. Parents can access their Scout’s records in Scoutbook. There is a website (https://scoutbook.scouting.org/) and an associated mobile application. You have access as parents to Scoutbook to track your scout’s progress, however, we are all volunteers with full time jobs and may not update completed requirements as quickly as desired. Your scout’s handbook is a great resource to track rank advancement and have requirements signed off which can then be entered into Scoutbook. There is opportunity for an adult volunteer to help track advancement between the physical check off and the digital Scoutbook resource.

Missing meetings

Scouts, at times, look forward to weekly Troop meetings. Despite the meetings being fun, meetings are intended for learning and advancement, just like school. Missing meetings can be detrimental to advancement. If your Scout needs a ride, please let us know, and we can help coordinate.