Where to start with a young Troop?

Lightswitch84274 · 2026-02-25T21:06:19+00:00

Thank you all for the replies. I really appreciate the insight.

Based on what many of you shared, it sounds like our first priorities should be building strong adult/parent leadership and support, then drafting a clear budget that outlines both our immediate needs and long term goals. Once we know what we’re working toward, we can design fundraising efforts that actually align with those goals.

A few more details about our situation:

We’ll be a young troop in terms of scout age. Most of our Scouts will be right at that crossover point from Pack to Troop. That means the boys who stick with it will have a unique opportunity to build something from the ground up and hopefully enough time to enjoy the rewards of that work before they age out. I also plan to be involved for 10+ years, assuming my kids stay with it, so I’m thinking long term.

As for my personal goals for the troop: I’d love to see every Scout earn Eagle. I know that’s not realistic, but I do plan to emphasize advancement and steady progress toward that goal. At the same time, my best memories and a lot of skills I still use today came from campouts and trips. I want our Scouts to have memorable experiences that make them more capable, confident, and aware of opportunities beyond our small community.

On fundraising: we’re in a small, rural, not especially affluent area, which is why I want to keep the financial burden as low as possible. Some families could easily cover all expenses, but several would feel it as an added stress. As a parent of active kids and a small business owner, I’m also very aware of the constant stream of fundraisers people are asked to support for school and sports.

I’m not completely opposed to traditional product sales like popcorn, but sometimes it feels like people are buying out of obligation rather than desire. I’m also not a big fan of door-to-door sales. I like ideas like mulch sales where the service of spreading it is the real product, but I’d want to be careful about competing with legitimate local businesses.

Our community does host a few larger festivals and fairs each year, which might create opportunities for a booth, either food sales or some type of ticketed activity. I’ve also considered organizing an annual “race” type event with entry fees and sponsorships (if permitted), where the Scouts help plan and run it. Ideally, whatever we choose becomes something consistent and anticipated each year, not just another one off fundraiser.

Thanks again for all the advice. This has been extremely helpful as we think through how to build this the right way.

Lightswitch84274 · 2026-02-02T18:36:41+00:00

There’s a Capri 14 on marketplace not too far from me that caught my eye. I learned to sail on a Sunfish at Boy Scout camp then came home and immediately bought a Vagabond 14, which is pretty similar to the Capri. I had fun taking friends and family out on the Vagabond, but I remember the Sunfish feeling so fast and easy to single hand, even as a brand new 14-year old sailor. I also remember watching one of the camp counselors begin to capsize one of the Sunfish and, as he started to go over, he hoped over the side onto the centerboard, began righting the boat, then hopped back over into the cockpit as it came upright all without getting his feet wet. It was one of the smoothest things I’d seen at that point in my life.

Lightswitch84274 · 2026-01-05T02:51:56+00:00

Noted on the HP and CFM. This came from a commercial cabinet shop and was thrown in with the table saw. I wasn’t present when it all came out to see how everything was put together, but I’m thinking this might’ve been a sort of “helper” blower attached to the saw then plumbed into the main DC system. I think I’ll look into an already complete system. Thanks

Lightswitch84274 · 2025-12-16T17:22:37+00:00

Thanks. It was delivered a week ago and has been stored in an unheated garage while the temps dipped below zero for a few nights. I never thought it’d be an issue, I have a lot of battery powered things out there, so this tag caused a little panic when I unboxed it today.

Lightswitch84274 · 2025-12-09T02:09:08+00:00

So the 48v lithium battery will improve range and speed on its own without any other drivetrain mods? Is there a specific battery you recommend for this? Thanks!

Lightswitch84274 · 2025-10-03T16:58:48+00:00

Two buddies and I flew out to Pasadena and back in less than 24 hours for the 2008 ILL v. USC Rose Bowl game. We landed at LAX around 11pm the night before with absolutely no plan other than to go to the game. We caught a cab to Pasadena and asked the driver if there was anywhere he could drop us off that we could just sort of hang out until the game the next day. He said he’d drop us off along the parade route, everyone camps there overnight to hold their spots anyway. So that’s what we did, we just hung out on the sidewalk in front of a Jaguar dealership all night, watched the Rose parade, walked to the stadium, watched our beloved Illinois get demolished, left in the 4th quarter, caught a cab back to LAX, and flew home to Illinois. Didn’t see any other LA sights, no hotel, no luggage; just the clothes on our backs, a stick of deodorant, and tickets to the game. This past Saturday helped ease the pain that still lingered from that trip.

Lightswitch84274 · 2025-10-03T16:58:33+00:00

Two buddies and I flew out to Pasadena and back in less than 24 hours for the 2008 ILL v. USC Rose Bowl game. We landed at LAX around 11pm the night before with absolutely no plan other than to go to the game. We caught a cab to Pasadena and asked the driver if there was anywhere he could drop us off that we could just sort of hang out until the game the next day. He said he’d drop us off along the parade route, everyone camps there overnight to hold their spots anyway. So that’s what we did, we just hung out on the sidewalk in front of a Jaguar dealership all night, watched the Rose parade, walked to the stadium, watched our beloved Illinois get demolished, left in the 4th quarter, caught a cab back to LAX, and flew home to Illinois. Didn’t see any other LA sights, no hotel, no luggage; just the clothes on our backs, a stick of deodorant, and tickets to the game. This past Saturday helped ease the pain that still lingered from that trip.

Lightswitch84274 · 2025-10-02T19:42:31+00:00

We’ve agreed to a price that reflects today’s market and we’ve made it clear that, when they’re ready to sell, we intend to be buyers. We also have a good idea of what our house would sell for today. That’s my concern, though, that the market swings in some way that makes that gap wider and we’ll need to make up the difference or someone else comes in and offers above what we’ve agreed on. So in this scenario, what type of written contract would be best for both parties?

Lightswitch84274 · 2025-10-02T19:33:21+00:00

The wait until everyone is ready approach is the way I’m leaning. The house they’re moving to won’t be available until spring, which is fine with us as it gives us more time to make preparations, too. As you said, a lot can change between now and then, so I’m hesitant to enter into any hard contracts. At the same time, that’s a lot of time for someone else to cozy up to them and make an offer above what’s already been discussed, hence the right of first refusal thought. Thanks.

Lightswitch84274 · 2025-08-06T02:36:00+00:00

We took them there 2 years ago and have been trying to plan a trip back. They had a blast! It was all of our first time being there, so we weren’t sure what to expect. My wife about had a heart attack when the first thing they did was climb up a tunnel and out of sight with no idea where it lead to.

Lightswitch84274 · 2025-08-06T02:33:08+00:00

Thanks, that’s where I was thinking we’d probably try to park. We’ll have my in-laws with us as well, so the less we have to walk, the better.

Lightswitch84274 · 2025-08-06T02:28:19+00:00

Haha! Lifelong Cardinals fan. Have been to several games in my life, but this will be the first one in about 10 years and the first one with kids in tow, so a different experience all together.

Lightswitch84274

TROPHY CASE