To help keep your scout skills strong, below is a list of rank requirements and merit badges you can do at home and/or with your family. Older scouts, use this time to “brush-up” on your skills.

Record everything you do. TAKE & SHARE PICTURES! Please send pictures to scouttroop279@yahoo.com and lets show everyone that this virus isn’t going to slow down Troop 279!!

When troop gatherings resume, Scouts can be tested on rank requirements by their Patrol Leader, Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters or any member of the troop that holds the First Class rank or higher.

More information on rank advancement can be found on the troop’s website (troop279.us/for-scouts/advancement/), including handy worksheets for each rank.

• Scout Rank
  • Complete, review and/or practice requirements #1-6

• Tenderfoot Rank
  • Complete, review and/or practice requirements #3, 4a-c, 5, 7a, 8, 9
  • Build a personal first aid kit, req. #4d
  • Fitness requirements #6a,b
    • YouTube demo of sit-and-reach
    • Adventure Park has a 1-mile trail loop
    • Fitness requirement #6b – use sample tracking sheet

• Second Class Rank
  • Complete, review and/or practice requirements #1b, 2a,d,f,g, 3, 4, 5a, 6, 8b,c,d, 10
  • Fitness requirement #7a – use sample tracking sheet
  • Review the three R’s of personal safety and protection – req. #9a
  • Describe bullying – req #9b

• First Class Rank
  • Complete, review and/or practice requirements #1b, 2d, 3, 4b, 5, 6c-d, 7, 9b, 10, 11
  • Complete an orienteering course (ex. Pine Grove Furnace) – req. #4
  • Fitness requirement #8a – use sample tracking sheet

Get Outside
Though common-areas (pavilions, restrooms, etc.) at state parks and recreational areas are closed, trails and nature hikes are still available. A quick google search of hiking trails in central PA returns numerous results, including:

• Can’t Miss Hikes
• 19 PA Trials…
• Take a Hike
• 12 Great Central PA Destinations
• 10 Great Hikes Near Harrisburg

Back-Yard Camping
Pitch a tent in your back yard! Take pictures and record your outing!

Merit Badges:
There are several merit badges that can be completed almost entirely at home. “Bryan on Scouting” posted a great article on “Merit badges for social distancing.”

In short, many merit badges have numerous requirements that can be researched, studied and/or completed at home. Scoutbook has a full listing of all current merit badge requirements. When working on merit badges independently, it is recommended that you use a workbook to help capture and organize your work. Merit Badge Wookbooks can be found on USscout.org (scroll 1/3 down on the page).

Please email the Scoutmasters at ScoutTroop279@yahoo.com before starting a merit badge. They will be able to start a virtual blue card for you online through Scoutbook. The next time the Troop meets, you’ll be given your paper blue card.

Remember, any communication with leaders or merit badge counselors, online or over the phone, must include a second leader or the parent of the scout.

Please visit the Troop’s website (troop279.us/for-scouts/merit-badges/) to learn more about merit badges.

We are pleased to announce the formation of Troop 279 for girls, a new Girls-only troop in Scouts BSA*. Girls can now join Scouts BSA, go camping, earn merit badges and achieve Scouting’s most-coveted award, the Eagle Scout Award.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be a founding member of a Scouts BSA Girls Troop! Scouting activities include camping, hiking, rafting, first aid, knots, STEM, teamwork, and leadership.

See our website at www.troop279.us/girl-troop/ for more information and steps to join this historic movement.

Our troop is located in Mechanicsburg, PA and we welcome girls from anywhere in the region. Eligible Girls must be at least 11 years old and not yet reached their 18th birthday. Troop 279 meets every Monday at 6:30pm.

Troop 279 for girls is chartered by St. James Presbyterian Church and works in conjunction with Troop 279 for boys (founded in 1997) and is supported by Cub Scout Pack 279 (a 50+ year pack). By joining Troop 279 for girls at St. James, you’re joining a strong scouting family with vast knowledge and scouting experience!

• Scouts BSA is a new name with a long history. Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910, soon after the creation of the Scouting movement in England in 1908. As of February 1, 2019, the Boy Scouts of America are renaming their youth program (for ages 11-18) to Scouts BSA. The parent organization will continue to be Boy Scouts of America.