Troop 355 welcomes you!

Watch this space — more to come.

Troop 355 meets Mondays at 7:00 p.m., at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Duncanville, 203 South Main, in Duncanville, Texas.

Membership is open to any boy who has completed fifth grade or is 11 years old, and is not yet 18.

Scoutmaster is Mike Lewis. You can contact Mr. Lewis by e-mail: partypets@sbcglobal.net

Troop 355 stays active, with a campout scheduled once a month, and a variety of other activities.  Thinking about joining Scouts?  Come visit one of our weekly meetings, please.

Scout Leaders: On-line sources

From The Cracker Barrel, the on-line weblog of Scouting Magazine:

Other Scouting Web Sites

ScoutParents

For parents of Scouts, this site provides general information on Scouting, its benefits for youth and families, and a discussion forum to ask questions and explore ideas.

BSA Online Learning Center

This site provides a variety of materials, from quick references to complete courses, all designed to help our members improve leadership skills and deliver a quality program.

National Eagle Scout Association

Information about the National Eagle Scout Association, including a section for NESA members.

Boys’ Life magazine

Published by the Boy Scouts of America, Boys’ Life is the magazine for all boys. Their Web site contains information about the current issue, games to play, projects to download, and more.

Scout Stuff

Operated by the National Supply Group, this site is your official on-line source for information about camping equipment, uniforms, handbooks, pinewood derby supplies, and other essential Scouting merchandise.

Boy Scouts of America

The National Council of the Boy Scouts of America supports more than 300 local councils that provide quality youth programs, including Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing.

Tooth of Time Traders

Order items from Philmont’s Tooth of Time Traders via this Web site.

Join Cub Scouting

This site will help you learn about the Cub Scouting program and how you can join in the fun.

The Scout Zone

This site will provides information about the Boy Scout program, including a locator to find a troop in your area.

Local Councils

More than 300 local councils that provide quality youth programs, including Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing. Follow this link to obtain contact information for the council that serves your area.

21st World Scout Jamboree

The 21st World Scout Jamboree will be hosted by the Scout Association of the United Kingdom from July 27 until August 8, 2007. View the Jamboree Bulletin and download applications for Scouts and Venturers and adult unit leaders and staff.

National Scout Jamboree

The next National Scout Jamboree will be held in 2010. Information about the event will appear on this Web site in the future.

Philmont Training Center

Serving as the national training center for the Boy Scouts of America since 1950, the Philmont Training Center (PTC) provides a unique environment for the training of volunteer and professional leaders.

National Scouting Museum

Located in Irving, Texas, the National Scouting Museum is a tribute to the rich history of the Boy Scouts of America.

Friends of Scouting

We know the Boy Scout experience means a great deal to you. The Scout Oath and Law still rings in your ears, and some of your best childhood memories may have been in a Scout uniform. We understand – it’s true for us, too. That’s why the Boy Scouts of America established this website. It will help you reconnect with your past, keep you up on Scouting’s present, and give you a glimpse into Scouting’s future.

Philmont Scout Ranch

The BSA’s premier high-adventure base challenges Scouts and Venturers with more than 200 square miles of rugged New Mexico wilderness. Backpacking treks, horseback cavalcades, and training and service programs offer young people many ways to experience this legendary location.

Northern Tier

The Northern Tier National High Adventure Base offers Scouts and Venturers the challenging adventures in wilderness canoeing and cold-weather camping.

Florida Sea Base

Located in the Florida Keys, the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base offers a variety of water activities from SCUBA diving to sailing “Tall Ships”.

Legal Issues Web Site

A site created on behalf of the national council to inform the public about the legal issues that confront Scouting.

Good Turn for America Web Site

Today, America needs the service of its citizens more than ever. Hunger, lack of adequate shelter, poor health–these are issues that affect all of us. The Boy Scouts of America believes that we can do something about these issues–if we all work together.

BSA Fieldbook Web Site

Web site providing additional resources for activities covered in the BSA Fieldbook, including current books and online sources for techniques, gear, training opportunities, and destinations.

Soccer and Scouting Web Site

Soccer and Scouting teaches soccer skills and provide exciting competition, and at the same time boys will be Cub Scouts and learn the life-long values taught in the Scouting program.

Scouting Vale La Pena

The official Spanish-Language Web site of the Boy Scouts of America

Scoutreach Division

Scoutreach is the BSA’s commitment to making sure that all young people have an opportunity to join Scouting, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood, or ethnic background.

Order of the Arrow

Learn about Scouting’s National Honor Society, including its summer camp promotion program and other Scoutreach initiatives.

S-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g summer vacation: Troop 355 meets in August

Note from Scoutmaster Mike Lewis:

Don’t forget that tonight, August 3, 2009, Troop Meetings are starting up again. You can wear your yellow T-shirts for the rest of the summer if you like. We will be discussing having Troop elections, a Court of Honor, and this month’s campout at Cedar Hill State Park.

Also, if you would like to attend the Scout Night at the Mesquite Rodeo this Saturday night bring $15 per adult ticket and $9 per child ticket so we can have the tickets ordered by tomorrow night. I will not be able to go because of my Party Pets schedule, so we will also have to be sure we have at least two adults going before we can order the tickets.

Troop 355 meets Mondays at 7:00 p.m., at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Duncanville, Texas (203 South Main Street).

James Lewis’s Eagle Court of Honor

James Lewis and his father

Troop membership runs in cycles.  It’s been more than a year since our last Eagle Court of Honor.  James Lewis completed his project in March, passed the Eagle Board of Review in April.  His Court of Honor, just after summer camp, capped a very busy and constructive first half of the year.

The COH was held in the sanctuary of First Christian Church (DOC) of Duncanville.

Committee Chairman Frank Milewski was master of ceremonies.

Mark lit the candles on the Scout Law medallion

Troop 785 Scoutmaster Marvin Zimmerman talked about the qualities that make an Eagle Scout, and trekking Philmont with James.

The Eagle Charge and Oath

James's mother inspects the new Eagle pin.

Troop 355's newest Eagle Scout, James Lewis, his mother and father, and Troop Committee Chair Frank Milewski

Serving on the 4th of July

Scouts from Troop 355 and Pack 494 carry colors in 4th of July parade, Duncanville, Texas, 2009 - Photos by Nancy Weaner

The troop got the call only this week.  This is an impromptu color guard.

Troop 355 and Pack 494 color guard, 4th of July parade, Duncanville, Texas 2009 - Photos by Nancy Weaner

James Lewis’s Eagle Court of Honor, Saturday, June 27, 2009

Eagle Scout rank pin

Join Troop 355, supporters and parents, this Saturday at a special Court of Honor for James Lewis.  James will receive his Eagle rank.

3:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary at First Christian Church (DOC) of Duncanville, 203 South Main Street.  Refreshments and fellowship follow in the Fellowship Hall.

355 makes an appearance at Wrigley Field

Groundsman chases cat off of playing field at Wrigley, at left field foul pole - Newsday photograph

That “355″ is supposed to be there — it marks 355 feet down the third base line to the foul pole in left field.  Still, it’s nice to know the number gets around.

James Lewis’s Eagle project

James Lewis organized the addition of nine tables for the outdoor activities center at Hastings Elementary in the Duncanville ISD.  Here are some photos from the final assembly work day.

Seeking approval from the Troop Committee, weeks before the project

Assembling the tables

Cutting holes for umbrellas

Sealing the tables

Mrs. Lewis fueled the work crew with sandwiches, delicious tortilla soup and a thousand bags of chips

Troop members, leaders, parents and other helpers

James and the finished project