Established in 1925, Troop 23 is part of Scouting America (Formerly Boy Scouts of America). We belong to the Laurel Highlands Council and are within the Eagle Valley District. The district incorporates communities in southern part of Allegheny County; parts of the city of Pittsburgh (Beechview, Brookline), Bethel Park, Castle Shannon, Dormont, Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair, Carrick, Knoxville and South Side and Baldwin Township, Jefferson Hills, Mt. Oliver, Munhall, Pleasant Hills, South Park, West Mifflin, and Whitehall.
While both boys and girls can be part of Scouting America, the troops are separated by gender. Troop 23 is a troop for boys (Troop 23 has a "sister troop" - 9023). Scouts are boys in 6th through 12th grades who are under the age of 18 years. The Dormont United Methodist Church became the Charter Organization for Troop 23 in 1925. In April 2014, DUMC closed its doors but the charter was transferred to nearby Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church. In June, 2014, the troop moved to Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church, our new charter organization. At the present time, Troop 23 has 19 registered Scouts in two patrols and 16 registered adult leaders as well as numerous parents who are actively involved helping not only their son but also the other scouts in the troop.
Boys can become scouts in three ways: - Boys with no Scouting experience can come to a meeting, and if they like what they see, complete an application
- WEBELOS Scouts Crossover from Cub Scouts. Webelo scouts are transferred from the Pack into the Troop
- A Scout may transfer from another Troop into Troop 23
Troop 23 expects scouts to wear a Class A uniform shirt to meetings unless otherwise noted. The first Tuesday of the month is usually a Class B meeting night. Class B uniforms—for example, a troop t-shirt—can be purchased from the Troop and worn on First Tuesdays. However, if a Scout scheduled a Board of Review, he should wear his Class A uniform even though it is the first Tuesday. Scouts should always wear a Class A uniform for Boards of Review and Courts of Honor.
Scouts are placed in patrols based on their age, experience and the current configuration of the patrols when they join. The Troop re-configures patrols each year. There are guidelines that Scouts follow regarding advancement. These will be discussed by the Scoutmaster with the Scout as he moves through the ranks.
Adults who want to register as leaders must complete an application that includes information for a background check. Before the application is process the applicant must show proof that he or she completed the BSA Youth Protection training as well as he state mandated background checks (which are free, since you are volunteering for a non-profit organization). The information can be found on our HOME PAGE. All of these must be turned in together.
The BSA & troop dues for Scouts are based on the cost of organizational dues. The troop currently charges no additional cost for dues. Additionally, a scout may purchase a one year subscription to Scout Life Magazine.
Service Projects
Cheerful Service is an important component of Troop 23's program. Some of the service projects the Troop participates are Scouting for Food (through the entire Dormont Community), community clean-up when scouts canvas the area and pick up litter and trash, helping to set up the church's Rummage Sale Fundraiser and donating food for the Food Pantry. An important community service that is a long tradition of the Troop (Dating back to October 1965) is the setting out of Flags on West Liberty Avenue in the Dormont Community on specific holidays. These and other community services help our scout develop character and good citizenship.
Yearly Schedule
The troop attends resident camp (summer camp) each year, usually in July. The Troop follows a two-year camping cycle. In even-numbered years, the Troop attends the Laurel Highlands Council's Heritage Reservation in Farmington, Pennsylvania, and in each odd-numbered year the Troop attends a different Out-of-Council Boy Scout Summer Camp.
Laurel Highlands Council has a High Adventure program at Heritage Reservation. Scouts 13 years or older are eligible to attend high adventure treks. (see Heritage Eagle Base for information about the programs.)
To defray the cost of Summer Camp, Scouts participate in fundraisers. Summer camp fundraisers include Market Day, Popcorn and most recently, pie, soup, dip, and hoagie sales. 100% of those profits go to help with the cost of the Scout's cost of camping. We will occasionally add other fundraisers.
Troop fundraisers include an annual Spaghetti Dinner (scouts & adults), staffing a tent at the Dormont Street Fair (scouts & adults), collecting aluminum cans in a can trailer parked near the Dormont pool (adult-only activity) and a variety of other fundraisers. Scouts are not obligated to take part in all fundraisers. We offer them as a way to pay for camp. One exception is the Troop Spaghetti Dinner in January each year to defray the cost of running the troop. Scouts are expected to participate by volunteering at the Spaghetti Dinner and it is hoped that parents will also volunteer. As a part of being a member of, and supporting a group, Scouts are requested to sell tickets for the Spaghetti Dinner tickets to their family, friends and relatives.