About

Thanks for visiting the on-line home of Troop 279 of Hampden Township in Mechanicsburg and Enola, Pennsylvania. Troop 279 is very active in our community and is very proud of its reputation of producing a high percentage of Eagle Scouts from our ranks!

Most of our scouts live in neighborhoods within Hampden Township and attend the middle and high schools of the Cumberland Valley School District. However, Troop 279 welcomes scouts from all around the area.

Our Troop leadership is comprised of highly dedicated and experienced parents and volunteers in the Scouting program. The families of Troop 279 are also very active in the numerous events sponsored by the Troop throughout the year.

Troop 279 is a Scout-led troop. The Patrol Leader Council (PLC), chaired by the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), develops a plan of activities that will provide the troop members a fun way to meet advancement requirements and enjoy scouting. The PLC is guided by the Scoutmaster and the activity plan is reviewed the adult Troop Committee. Execution of the approved activities is completed using the patrol method. The adult leadership is there to provide the scouts with guidance and support in a way that the scouts feel ownership of the troop.

Troop 279 offers a full year-round program typically consisting of weekly meetings and one or more outings a month where the Scouts are camping, hiking, biking, canoeing/rafting, engaging fellow Scouts at district/council events, or participating in community service projects. Every summer our Scouts can participate in a week-long summer camp at one of the many scout reservations that are within driving distance. Regardless of their age, ask anybody who ever participated in Scouting, they still carry with them their memories of positive experiences from summer camp.

Though our troop is active, our Scouts have no issues maintaining their participation levels in other pursuits as many of our scouts are also very involved students, musicians, and athletes just to name a few.

Though there is always encouragement and support, a scout ultimately advances at their own pace. In addition to rank advancement, Scouts also can earn Merit Badges which provide opportunities to learn about a myriad of subjects such as: first aid/lifesaving, sports, crafts, science, trades/business, future careers along with numerous water and watercraft related subjects. And, when they least expect it, they have a ton of fun along the way! With more than 135 merit badges currently available, most subjects that would be of interest and fun for a scout are covered.

Troop 279 is in the Pioneer District of the New Birth of Freedom Council of Scouts, BSA.

To learn more about Troop 279, please explore the links below: