New Families

Thinking about joining, or just did? Start here.

On this page: Getting Started · What to Bring · Registration & Costs · Webelos & Crossing Over · How to Join

Getting Started

Welcome to Troop 572 or Troop 8572, chartered by Rose Hill Church in Kirkland, WA. Whether your scout is crossing over from Cub Scouts or your family is brand new to Scouting, here’s how to get settled in.

General contact: troop572.kirkland@gmail.com

1. Know where and when we meet

• Weekly troop meeting: every Thursday, 7:30–8:30pm, year-round
• Troop committee meeting: monthly, open to all parents
• Service projects: typically the second Saturday of the month, at Rose Hill Church
• Courts of Honor: twice a year (spring and fall). All families encouraged to attend

Location: Rose Hill Church. Park behind the church and meet in the gym. 12202 NE 90th Street, Kirkland, WA 98033.

See Calendar for the full schedule.

2. Get your scout’s gear

Your scout will need a Scout Handbook and the Class A uniform before their first meeting. Camping gear can be acquired gradually as they start going on outings. See What to Bring below for the complete list.

3. Register and pay annual dues

Scouts renew their Scouting America registration annually; our preferred method is paying through the troop, which handles the renewal automatically. See Registration & Costs below for the full breakdown, payment options, and FAQ.

4. Understand how the troop is organized

Both troops use the patrol method: scouts organize into small patrols with elected youth leaders. New scouts start in a dedicated New Scout Patrol for about six months before joining a regular patrol. See The Patrol Method for more.

At campouts, let your scout work problems through their Patrol Leader and Troop Guide first, rather than stepping in directly. That’s how they learn to lead. See Program Philosophy for more on why the troops run this way.

5. Learn how advancement works

Scouts progress through ranks from Scout to Eagle, with skills taught at weekly meetings, campouts, and summer camp. See Rank Advancement for how sign-offs, merit badges, and boards of review work.

For parents: getting involved

Both troops run on volunteers. There are roles for every level of availability, from one-time event help to ongoing sub-committee leadership. See Volunteering to get started.

What to Bring

The Class A uniform and a handbook are needed right away. Camping gear can be built up gradually as your scout starts going on outings.

Scout Handbook

Your scout’s instruction guide and advancement record. Get a book cover for it. It needs to last for years. Bring the handbook and a pen to every troop meeting.

Class A uniform

Worn to all troop meetings unless otherwise announced: a Scout Shirt, neckerchief, and pants.

Where to buy: scoutshop.org, or in person at the Chief Seattle Council Service Center (3120 Rainier Ave South, Seattle, WA 98144, 206-725-5200). Most scouts wear a short-sleeve shirt year-round. Size up one size to allow for growth.

Neckerchief: new scouts receive the troop neckerchief when they join.

Pants: BSA shorts or long pants, or tan/green/khaki pants or shorts. No blue jeans, sweats, or cream/dark brown/black pants.

Shoes: any closed-toe, closed-heel shoe (no sandals, for safety).

Camping gear

Detailed gear lists for specific outings are in the Scout Handbook. Here’s what every scout should eventually have:

• Warm layers: wool or synthetic, not cotton. It gets cold in the mountains even in summer.
• Waterproof rain gear: we camp rain or shine in the Pacific Northwest. A hooded rain jacket or poncho is a must.
• Footwear: tennis shoes work for some outings. Sturdy hiking boots are better for backcountry and camping.
• Backpack: larger than a school bag. New families can borrow one from the troop while getting started.
• Sleeping bag and pad: synthetic fill, rated between 15°F and 30°F.
• The Ten Essentials: see the Scout Handbook. Every scout should carry these on every outing.

Knives, axes, and saws

A scout may not carry a pocketknife until they’ve earned their Totin’ Chip by demonstrating they know how to use wood tools safely. After that, only a folding pocketknife is allowed. No fixed-blade knives.

Label everything

Scouts inevitably misplace items. A permanent marker or engraver on all gear helps lost items find their way back.

Registration & Costs

Figures below are current for Troop 572. Troop 8572's dues may differ slightly. Confirm with the general troop inbox before paying if you're registering with 8572.

Youth renewal

Preferred method: pay $160 to the Treasurer by December 15, and the troop handles your scout’s Scouting America renewal automatically.

How to pay: Zelle to treasurer.boyscout.troop572@gmail.com, or check payable to Scouting Troop 572.

If your scout joined mid-year, their renewal date may not be in December. That’s fine. Pay by December 15 and the troop tracks their anniversary date and processes the renewal when it arrives.

If you can’t pay: scholarships and payment plans are available. Contact the Treasurer or Committee Chair confidentially. See Contact.

Adult renewal

The troop covers adult registration fees ($105 total: $65 national + $40 council) for adults who actively participate: attending outings, supporting weekly meetings, or committee/administrative work. If you qualify, the troop renews you automatically.

What the Troop Program Fee covers

The $20 per scout supports weekly meeting supplies, patches and advancement items, handbooks, new-scout neckerchiefs, and a portion of annual recharter costs. Outings and special activities are billed separately per event (typically around $60 per scout for camp and park permits), so families only pay for what their scout actually attends.

Registration FAQ

Do annual dues include campouts and overnight trips? No. Outings are billed separately per event, so scouts with busy schedules can stay registered without paying for trips they miss.

What happens if we miss the December 15 deadline? Your scout may be dropped from the roster during recharter and need to renew directly through National, plus pay the $20 Troop Program Fee separately.

How much does summer camp cost? Roughly $650 for one week, not including transportation or spending money. The first time a scout attends summer camp, the troop covers the fee.

Are scholarships available? Yes, confidentially. Contact the Treasurer or Committee Chair.

Webelos & Crossing Over

If your Webelos scout is getting ready to cross over from Cub Scouts, both troops want to make that transition easy. We want you to get to know us well before crossover night.

Ways we connect with Webelos dens before crossover

• Invitations to join us for the fall campout, a winter troop meeting, and the Igloos outing, so scouts and families can see a regular troop outing before committing
• A dedicated crossover event, scheduled with feeder Cub Scout packs each spring
• Webelos Woods and similar joint events on the annual calendar. See The Shape of a Whole Year

What happens after crossover

New scouts join a dedicated New Scout Patrol for about six months, with an experienced scout (a Troop Guide) assigned to help them learn the ropes before they move into a regular patrol. Troop gear is provided to scouts crossing over. See What to Bring above for what to expect to buy yourselves.

How to Join

Troop 572 and Troop 8572 are separate units with separate applications. Pick the one that fits your scout, or apply to both if you have scouts in each program.

Troop 572 (boys)

Apply through BeAScout using our unit ID:

Find Troop 572 on BeAScout · Unit ID 159836

Troop 8572 (girls)

Troop 8572's direct BeAScout link isn't posted here yet. Email troop572.kirkland@gmail.com and we'll get you the right link and unit ID right away.

After you apply

Once your application is in, someone from troop leadership will follow up to get your scout connected. See Getting Started above for what happens next, and What to Bring above for what to have ready before the first meeting.