Ready to join Troop 57 or 4057?
We are delighted that your family has decided to join our Troops and begin your Scouting journey with us! We look forward to seeing you at upcoming meetings and events and hope this information helps you with the onboarding process.
Submit a New Scout Interest Form
It all starts by completing our Interested Scout Form. Our recruiting chair will then contact you regarding eligibility and enrollment.
We welcome Youth to join Scouts BSA Troop 57/4057 if they are at least 10 years old, currently in the fifth grade and register on or after March 1st (of their fifth grade school year); OR are age 11 but have not reached age 18. Our ScoutTrail program for new scouts begins each year in August. Enrollment to start at any time other than August is by exception only and must be approved by the Scoutmaster for the Troop. In addition each summer we send a contingent of scouts to camp and encourage our rising sixth graders/newly joining scouts to go to camp as a way to meet friends in the Troop before the ScoutTrail program begins.
We open registration enrollment on March 1 and are often over-subscribed with a wait-list. We register families on a first come, first served basis with priority given to siblings of families already in the Troop and families whose parents will commit to becoming trained leaders for our Troops. Those who would like to attend summer camp should register no later than May 1 (subject to availability).
Register your Scout
Once you hear from our recruiting chair, please register your scout with the BSA using their online application system. Troop 4057 (girls) registration. Troop 57 (boys) registration.
Next, you will be connected to the troop registrar for instructions on how to register with our Troop. As we rely on volunteer parent drivers for all outings, we follow the PAUSD volunteer driver guidelines and adults will be asked to provide a copy of your CA driver’s license and proof of auto insurance which aligns with PAUSD required coverage.
Finally, complete and submit annual health and medical record forms for you and your Scout to the medical form team. The BSA requires that all participants (Scouts and adults) annually file medical forms with the Troop. There are 3 parts to the forms. Forms A&B must be completed for each Scout and participating adult on an annual basis. They do not require a physician’s signature. Form C is to be completed and signed by a physician and is required for all Scouts and adults attending camp, attending outings of more than 72 hours duration, and participating in certain merit badge programs. Our Troop recommends that all Scouts submit a med form C annually.
Sign up to volunteer
Our Troops are run 100% by volunteer parents. Scouting is a family activity and we count on everyone to contribute. There are many ways to contribute to both the program side or the administrative side and we welcome the opportunity to speak with you and find a role that matches with your interests, skills and bandwidth. During Troop registration, you will be asked to provide the top three volunteer roles that are of interest to you. Based on that input, our Troop volunteer coordinator will reach out to discuss the best role for you. The continued success of our Troops depends upon active parent participation and involvement. If your child is in the Troop, an adult from your family is required to hold a Troop level volunteer role either in the Scouting program or on the administrative side. If you have more than one child in the Troop your family is expected to hold two volunteer roles.
Adults complete Youth Protection Training and AB-506 and register with the BSA
All adults in our Troops are required to complete the online Youth Protection Training (YPT) course in order to participate in Troop events or meetings. The training is valid for 2 years. When you first complete your training, you will receive by email a YPT completion certificate which should be submitted to our Unit Training Coordinator. You can access the online YPT training here: https://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/ and read more about it on our Adult Registration Page. In addition all adults must complete AB-506 and comply with CA state law. More information can be found on our Adult Registration Page.
In order to offer a robust and varied set of outings and events, we need many registered adults. Our policy is that one adult per family must become registered with the BSA and keep their registration active for as long as they have an active scout in our Troops. More information can be found on our Adult Registration Page.
Explore your Scouting systems
In addition to the BSA system used for online training (my.scouting.org), members of our Troop will be given access to ScoutBook. ScoutBook is the Advancement tracking system for Scouts. Once registered with the BSA, parents will be provided access to ScoutBook and provided the opportunity to invite their Scout to have their own ScoutBook account. Think of ScoutBook as the digital version of a Scout’s physical Scout Book. Questions about the ScoutBook? Contact the Troop Unit Advancement Chair.
Get your uniform
Each Scout must purchase a field or “class A” uniform and Scout Book. You can visit any Bay Area scout store, the nearest one is the Scout Shop at the Lucie Stern Community Center. The staff at the scout stores are extremely helpful if you have any questions.
Please purchase the following:
- Class A shirt, purple World Crest patch, pants, socks, and belt
- Pacific Skyline Council patch
- Scouting BSA book (a cover is highly recommended)
Our spiritwear coordinator will provide you with your onboarding kit which includes the troop neckerchief, neckerchief slide, troop numbers, patrol patch, and troop tee shirt or “Class B uniform”. You will also have the option to purchase a Troop fleece at upcoming Troop meetings.
Attend the new family orientation social and Scouts take the swim assessment
In late August, our Troop hosts a new family orientation social and we look forward to seeing you there! At or around the time of this event, your scout will have the opportunity to take a mandatory swim assessment. Based on their swim level they will be eligible to safely participate in certain water outings and events.
Parents are asked to attend a new parent orientation presented by the Scoutmasters. This is a valuable and informative introduction to Scouts BSA, our Troops, the advancement program and outing opportunities for the year. At this orientation, adults will also be introduced to some volunteer opportunities in the troop, and have the opportunity to ask questions about the program and how to become involved.
The new family orientation ends with an opportunity to meet the other parents and leaders in the Troop. Please check the Troop calendar here at our events page for details.
Attend Wednesday Patrol, Troop and Parent meetings
Our Troops and Patrols meet every Wednesday and the schedule of meetings can be found here. Please subscribe to the Troop Google calendar.
Troop 57 and 4057 meetings are held at least once a month at the Lucie Stern Community Center BSA Fire Circle from 7pm – 8:30pm. All Scouts are expected to attend and wear their Class A uniform. A Troop meeting consists of all Scouts in the Troop.
Scouts BSA Troops are composed of smaller groups called Patrols that are typically groups of 12-15 scouts of various ages. Each Patrol has one or two Lead Assistant Scoutmasters (ASMs) who guide Scouts through the program. In Patrols, older Scouts teach younger Scouts the skills they need to advance, allowing the older Scouts the ability to develop their leadership skills. This is referred to as the Patrol method. A Scout remains in their permanent Patrol throughout most of their Scouting journey with the Troop.
Scouts are first placed into the ScoutTrail patrol with other new Scouts to begin their Scouting journey. In ScoutTrail, Scouts and parents have the opportunity to meet other new Scouts and families as they work toward the Tenderfoot rank. In the late fall, ScoutTrail Scouts are placed into their permanent Patrols. This placement is done by the ScoutTrail ASM in collaboration with the Scoutmasters. Placement is determined by taking into account sibling assignments, age range in the Patrol, friends, and family volunteering interests.
Patrol meetings (including ScoutTrail) are held two times per month on Wednesday from 7pm – 8:30pm and locations vary by patrol. The Patrol Lead ASM will provide their Scouts with the meeting location. All Scouts are expected to attend and wear their Class A uniform. New Scouts should bring their Scout Book to every meeting.
Parent meetings are held once a month on Wednesday 8pm-9pm at the Lucie Stern Community Center Scout house. One parent from each family must attend each monthly parent meeting.
Sign up for outings and service projects and have fun!
There are two mandatory outings in the fall and two in the spring, one each with the Troop and Patrol, and one mandatory annual fundraiser. Not only are these outings a lot of fun but, by attending, Scouts keep on track with rank requirements. These 4 annual outings are mandatory for Scouts to attend, so please mark your calendars.
Our Troops offer a myriad of small group and individual service opportunities throughout the year. As a Troop, we participate in the BSA Scouting for Food service project in the fall and the Memorial Day Flag planting and removal in the spring. These two all-Troop service opportunities are mandatory for all Scouts to attend, so please mark your calendar.
The great thing about our Troops is that you will have opportunities almost every weekend to sign-up and attend outings including hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing and kayaking. Watch your email for sign-up opportunities and get ready to have fun!