New Parent/Scout Info
Troop Information Summary:
Summary of important information for New Scout Parents, and concise summary for everyone. Powerpoint slides: New Parent Orientation
Welcome to Troop 990!
We look forward to having your son participate in all the “Mighty 990” activities and campouts as he travels along the road to Eagle with Troop 990.
History
Founded in the "Ninth Month of the Ninetieth Year" (September 1990), Troop 990 is a Boy Scout Troop in the Westlake community of Austin, Texas. We are sponsored by The Knights of Columbus at St. John Neumann Catholic Church. Troop 990 prides itself in being a Scout-run Troop, where the decisions and plans are made by the Scouts with the guidance but not interference of the adults, giving the Scouts a unique experience and teaching them valuable lessons of life. We currently have about 140 Scouts registered with our Troop and is ranked as one of the top troops in the state and nation.
Troop Meetings
The Troop meets each Monday night during the school months from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Holy Family Center at St. John Neumann Catholic Church (5455 Bee Caves Road) except for the Monday night following a campout. Often there are Parent/Adult meetings during the Troop meetings to discuss and plan upcoming events and programs.
Camping
Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors. It is in the outdoor setting that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with one another. It is here that the skills and activities practiced at Troop meetings come alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Scouts gain an appreciation for God's handiwork and our place in it. The outdoors is the laboratory for Scouts to learn ecology and practice conservation of nature's resources. Monthly campouts are an important part of scout learning, fun and advancement.. Check the calendar for dates and locations for the coming year.
Summer Camp
Troop 990 Scouts are encouraged to attend Lost Pines Summer Camp (near Bastrop, Texas) scheduled in early June. Lost Pines Summer Camp is a great opportunity for new Scouts to achieve lots of advancement and earn their first Merit Badges. It is also a terrific opportunity for older scouts to participate in high adventure programs and earn numerous individual merit badges. Put Lost Pines Summer Camp on your calendar and watch for details and registration information.
High Adventure Programs / Summer & Winter Camps
We rotate through the three BSA High Adventure Bases: Philmont Scout Ranch, Northern Tier and Sea Base. We also often make trips to Spanish Peaks Scout Camp or Camp Ben Delatour in Colorado as well as the Weminuche Wilderness, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Big Bend National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. We have also participated in Boy Scout National Jamborees in 1993, 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2010. Check the calendar and watch for information about camps and programs planned for this year.
Community Service
Scout Spirit is demonstrated through service to our community and Troop 990 offers many opportunities to our Scouts to fulfill this need. In particular, Mobile Loaves & Fishes is a wonderful ministry of the St. John Neumann Catholic Church and other organizations in our community to help feed the homeless. Volunteers from the Troop help out at least once a month to help prepare the truck and then some head out to make the deliveries. Check out the Information page for details. Troop 990 MLF Coordinators Kirk and Meredith Siler at kirksiler@gmail.com and meredithsiler@gmail.com, respectively.
Advancement
Troop 990 is committed to the Scout’s rank advancement on his trail to becoming an Eagle Scout. Advancement activities and merit badge classes are a regular part of our Troop meetings and campouts. If a Scout is motivated and works hard, he can attain Eagle about the time he enters high school.
The term "Advancement" refers to advancing in scout rank....e.g. Scout, Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, 1st Class, Star Scout, Life Scout and Eagle Scout. Scouts can advance at any pace, which will likely be based on scout interests and schedules, they can advance at any pace, but "age-out" when they turn 18 yrs. old. It's important for Scouts to have fun, be challenged and learn new things.
Troop 990 Path: If a new scout participates in Troop 990 Campouts, Lost Pines Summer Camp, and is motivated, it is very likely that he can reach 1st Class in his first year. This is a great goal and is very achievable with the Troop 990 programs. Beyond 1st Class, advancement shifts more to Troop and community leadership and earning merit badges.
MAILING LIST
to add yourself, send e-mail to
mailing-list+subscribe@troop990.org
or to remove yourself, send e-mail to
mailing-list+unsubscribe@troop990.org
Questions?
Visiting Scouts: Contact the Troop 990 Recruiter at recruiter@troop990.org
New to Troop 990? Contact the Troop 990 Scout Parent Coordinator at parent@troop990.org
Feel free to contact our Scoutmaster scoutmaster@troop990.org or Troop Committee Chair chairman@troop990.org
Visiting?
Welcome! Please look around the website to get an idea of what Troop 990 is all about....e.g. Great Scouts, Great Scouting, Great Adult Support and loads of Fun, Experiences and Learning. Contact Troop 990 Recruiter at recruiter@troop990.org
Ready to Join Troop 990?
If you're ready to join Troop 990, please complete the online application for your scout at Online Application. Once your application is approved, we will reach out to you regarding dues.
You will also need to complete, print and turn in a copy of the Annual Health and Medical Record at Scouting Health and Safety for your scout and bring that as well to the Troop Meeting.
Please submit dues and medical forms to the Troop 990 Scout Parent Coordinator at parent@troop990.org)
Just Joined Troop 990?
Welcome! If you have completed your scout's online BSA Scout Application and have not received your personal e-mail and website log-in information within a week of registration, please contact the Scout Parent Coordinator (parent@troop990.org). It's important you get the e-mail/log-in information soon!
Once you're logged into the website, go to the "My Account" box at the top of the page; change your password and complete information in the Parent Profile. The information in the profile is saved and will be utilized to populate online registration forms and such. Check your directory listing to make sure your contact information is correct. Then look around and get familiar with the Troop 990 Website. You will be able to view all upcoming events, have access to documents and other resources to help you along the scouting path. Fellow scout and leadership contact information is also readily available.
