NEW AND PROSPECTIVE PARENTS
As a new or prospective parent you may have plenty of questions and we’d love to help you. Scouts are welcome to visit meetings prior to joining, except for the third Tuesday of the month as those are Patrol meetings.
Most of the questions your son may have will be answered in his Troop and Patrol meetings.
Troop 14 is a special program. Our campouts are held in extraordinary locations throughout northern California, including canoeing down the Russian River, snow camping in the Sierras, and a night hike through the hills overlooking the Pacific. The Scouts also run a food drive in the fall. There is something for everyone. Some boys enjoy the advancement program and seek to achieve Scouting’s highest rank, Eagle Scout, and some boys just enjoy the outdoor activities. Some enjoy the merit badges – rifle shooting, lifesaving, space exploration, outdoor lore, first aid, Indian lore, wilderness survival, and dozens more. All the Scouts enjoy making new friends, and all participants are successes in Scouting.
Busy with school and activities, parents are often worried about time commitment. We believe Scouting is not a competing activity, rather that it bolsters excellence in academics and other valuable activities. We have Scouts who participate in full sports seasons as well.
Troop 14’s Scoutmasters are legendary.
We are proud of our distinguished history, thanks to our long-time Scoutmasters Emeriti Joe Ehrman (49 years), Bruce McKleroy (16 years), and our current Scoutmaster Beck Diefenbach. The troop alumni include a number of famous San Franciscans including Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer, former Undersecretary of Education Williamson Evers, and Don Fisher, founder of the Gap.
A who’s who of successful men who have been Scouts is astonishing. Which famous astronauts were Scouts? The answer is: Most of them. America’s top colleges are swarming with Scouts. An Eagle told me recently that on his freshman orientation trip at an Ivy, he realized that half of the boys in his group were Scouts. The service academies consider scouting experience to be an indication of character, and you cannot throw a stick at the Naval Academy without hitting a former Scout. Many former Scouts trace their career interest back to a merit badge – chemistry, electronics, oceanography, for example.
Scouting is arguably the most powerful, proven tool ever invented for helping raise boys. It creates a clean environment of fun and adventure, an environment with no drugs or alcohol, no smoking and no bullying. The time invested in a boy’s character development in the critical teen years will pay off in his future as a man.
Here is some basic information for new or perspective scouts. A lot of information is also found in the Join Us, Troop Basics, Parent Basics and Events sections of the site. Please join us at a meeting!
Parent Meetings
Parent Meetings are held every first Tuesday upstairs from where the troop meeting is held. At least one parent of a scout is expected to attend as an essential part of the workings of the Troop. The meetings are a great place to meet both new and long-time parents that can probably answer any questions, as well as possibly become life long friends.
Scout Uniforms
To join Troop 14, your son will need to fill out an application, and purchase a uniform and handbook before his joining ceremony.
The official full scout uniform (the “Class A” uniform) may be purchased at local Scouting shops or online. A list of local area shops is posted below. Some official Troop 14 uniform items will be provided by the Troop and do not need to be purchased, including:
Troop neckerchief
Troop Numerals
A San Francisco strip patch
Red epaulettes
A name tag
A Class B Tee shirt
Traditional Socks ($3 per pair)
Phoning ahead before traveling to any of the Scout stores is advised, as inventory and service hours can be variable.
A scout handbook can be purchased from the scout store.