Troop Meetings

The meetings usually consist of scout-held instructions and fun activities/games. Here's a typical agenda:

7:30: Opening Announcements

7:35: Interactive Instruction by a Scout

8:00: Fun Game/Activity

8:45: Requirement Signing Time

8:55: Closing Announcements

Campouts

Many different campouts happen throughout the year. Some 408 traditions include Sunset Beach, an annual campout on the beach involving barbecue, beach volleyball and a campfire program! 

There is also an annual, one-week long summer camp program to study merit badges, sign off on requirements, eat good food, and have fun with friends in scouting!

There can be up to 12 camping nights each year in troop 408.

Ranking Up

In scouting, scouts rank up by signing requirements. Higher ranks are more experienced, and reaching the prestigious Eagle rank is advantagous for college and job applications.

The first four ranks (Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class) focus on technical skills such as wilderness survival, tying knots, aquatics, and camping.

The final three (Star, Life, Eagle) focus on leadership skills, such as holding a leadership position in the troop.

Merit Badges

Merit badges are badges that scouts collect, symbolizing their progress in different topics. 

These merit badges can range from necessary topics like Communications, Family Life, and Personal Fitness; all the way to unique and interesting topics like Robotics, Rifle Shooting, and Archery.

14 of these merit badges are required to get the Eagle Rank.

Alongside rank ups, merit badges are the primary way to show progress in Scouting.