Frequently Asked Questions
-What does BSA stand for?
The abbreviation “BSA” stands for Boy Scouts of America. Boy Scouts of America is the official non-profit organization that regulates all the Boy Scout troops in America.
-Is there any easy way to figure out if I like the troop before joining?
Yes, there is an easy way to figure out if you like the troop! All you have to do is contact us and request to visit a meeting! You can then attend a meeting and observe our troop!
Then, with your observations, you can make a better decision whether or not you want to join the troop! Another way you can observe is by going to one of our many friends and family activities! These activities are where friends and family
are invited to our event, not just scouts. To sign up, contact us and ask to join on our next friends and family event!
-Who can join troop 449?
Youth can join Scouts BSA Troop 449 if they are at least 10 years old, currently in the fifth grade and register on or after March 1st; OR have earned the Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old, OR are age 11 but have not reached age 18 Other than that requirements, there are no other restrictions for joining our troop! If you are younger than 10, consider joining Cub Scouts.
-How do you join troop 449?
The process of joining Troop 449 includes going to the Contact Us page and let us know who you are! Then, wait for an email response from someone in the troop! For legal reasons and troop policy, please have a parent/guardian contact us if you are under 18.
-Who are the adult leaders of Troop 449?
Here is a list of the current adult leaders of our troop and a brief explanation on what they do:
Reminder that it is Troop 449 policy that all scouts need to attach a parent/guardian to the email!
Scoutmaster
The Scoutmaster’s job is to be the adult to guide the scouts on leading the troop! Currently, our Scoutmaster is Arnold Suvatne (Mr. Suvatne). Contact:
Assistant Scoutmasters
The Assistant Scoutmasters’ job is to be the adults to guide the scouts on leading the troop as well as assisting the Scoutmaster! Currently, our Assistant Scoutmasters are
Matt Reed (Mr. Reed),
Joshua Suvatne, and
Ramakrishna Vemuri (Mr. Vemuri).
Contacts:
Chartered Organization Rep. / Executive Officer
The Chartered Organization Representative represents the troop to the chartering organization. Our current Chartered Organization Rep. / Executive Officer is Curtis Strommen. Contact:
Committee Chair
The committee Chair’s job is to lead the committee which takes care of the background workings of the troop! Currently, our Committee Chair is Jennifer Mehta (Mrs. Mehta). Contact:
Committee Members
The Committee Members’ jobs are to deal with the background workings of the troop! This is a list of all the committee members:
Zhifen Deng
Contact:
Bao Anh Le
Contact:
Archana Krishnan
Contact:
Juliana Wong
Contact:
James Sadewhite
Contact:
Tom Huang
Contact:
Kathryn Wangsadirdja
Contact:
Angelina McCloed
Contact:
What activities does the troop participate in?
Our troop participates in many events. These events range from our simple 1 hour meeting every week all the way to to 2 week long backpacking trips in New Mexico. We try to do at least one hike or bike ride a month along with a 1 to 2 night camping trip. In the winter months, we do a trip to the snow in the mountains that is very fun! Also, every summer we do a week long camping trip at one many of the summer camps that BSA offers!
We also do a number of community service projects throughout the year since one of the requirements for Eagle Scout is to lead a community service project which means there is no shortage of community service projects as our scouts advance to the highest rank.
How often do we go camping?
Our troop participates in many camping trips throughout the year. We try to go around once a month in different camping sites throughout California. These sites include Big Sur on the coast as well as BSA Camp High Serria for our annual snow trip! Our Troop Calendar shows all of our activities!
What leadership roles are available for scouts?
We pride ourselves on being mostly scout led! This means that us scouts are in charge of making most decisions. For example, this website was coded completely by hand using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript by the Webmaster before it was inputted into WordPress! We hold elections every 6 months where we rearrange the leadership roles! Here are all the different positions our troop offers, a brief explanation on what they are, and the basic requirements. The links lead to a more in-depth explanation on https://scoutsmarts.com/:
–Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)– The scout leader of the troop! Is elected by the scouts in the troop! (Must be at least First Class Rank)
–Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL)– Acts as the leader of the troop when the SPL is not available! Is selected by the SPL. (Same requirements as SPL)
–Patrol Leader (PL)– Is the leader of their respective patrols! Is elected by the scouts in their respective patrols! (No Requirements)
–Assistant Patrol Leaders (APL)– Acts as the leaders of their respective patrols when the PL is not available! Is selected by the PL. (No requirements)
–Troop Guide – One assigned to each patrol by an Adult leader. Their job is to guide the newer scouts through scouting. (Must be a more senior scout)
–Head Quartermaster – Is in charge of the Patrol Quartermasters and is in charge of all the troop gear! Is a volunteer position. (No requirements)
–Patrol Quartermasters – Are in charge of the troop gear and are there to assist the Head Quartermaster! Is selected by the PL. (No requirements)
–Scribe – Is in charge of writing down and taking notes during important meetings in the troop! Is a volunteer position. (Must have neat handwriting or phone to write notes)
–Den Chief – Goes to Cub Scout meetings to try encouraging Cub Scouts to bridge over to our troop when they age out of Cub Scouts! Is a volunteer position. (Preferably is a more senior scout and has been a Cub Scout)
–Historian – Once a year they make a large cardboard trifold with pictures of our troop throughout the year on different activities! Is a volunteer position. (No requirements)
–Webmaster – The Webmaster is in charge of maintaining this website! This includes updating information when old information becomes outdated. Is a volunteer position. (Preferably knows or is willing to learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript)
–Bugler – The bugler is someone who plays the bugle at certain events! Is a volunteer position. (Must know how to play the bugle or similar instrument)
Note: Some positions will be prioritized for older scouts as they need them for rank advancement.
How can parents get involved?
We are open to all parents getting evolved in our troop! All parents who want to get evolved need to be registered with the BSA! To do that please contact our committee chair by going to the Contact Us Page! Some things parents do are as simple as driving scouts to different activities! If you want to be more evolved there are positions like the Troop Treasurer where you can keep record on the troop’s financial information. You can also become an Assistant Scoutmaster and help lead the troop!
What is the uniform and where can I get it?
The full uniform is on the Gear Page underneath clothing/uniform. You can get it at any BSA store or on the BSA store website!
What is the process for advancement in scouting?
In Boy Scouts, there are 7 ranks, Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. In our troop, the first four ranks can be signed off simultaneously by scouts ranked First Class and up. Then, for the next three ranks (Star, Life, and Eagle), you have to work on each rank’s requirements one rank at a time and the requirements may only be signed off by one of our many adult leaders.
How do you handle safety and supervision during activities?
Our troop’s main priority is safety. To ensure this, every scouting event is supervised by a minimum of two of our YPT (Youth Protection Training) trained adult leaders. Then, we ensure that our scouts are always paired up and are never alone. Also, there is never a situation where scouts are one-on-one with an adult. We also follow the guidelines for safety put out by the Boy Scouts of America. For example, on this website there is no full names or pictures of the faces of any of the scouts in the troop.
What are the expectations for scout behavior and conduct?
For scout behavior and conduct we have the Troop 449 Code of Conduct.
How does your troop support community service and volunteering?
Community service and volunteering are things we do a lot! With scouts always needing community service hours either for high school or for rank advancement, we always have a community service project just around the corner! With many of our community service projects, we allow our scouts to invite friends and family who want to help out with the project. With our troop, you can easily get the 40 hours needed for High School graduation!
Are there opportunities for earning merit badges?
With our troop, there are many opportunities for earning merit badges! In scouts, merit badges are are things you can earn by doing the requirements for the badge. For example, for swimming one of the requirements is, “Explain why swimming or survival floating will hasten the onset of hypothermia in cold water.” Our troop does at least one activity per year where we spend a day earning merit badges. Then there is the week long camp we do every summer where you can expect to earn between 4 and 7 merit badges! Merit badges are needed to advance in scouting with 21 being needed for Eagle Rank. To learn more about merit badges go here: https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/
How do you get in contact with merit badge counselors?
Merit badge counselors are people who are able to sign off requirements for their respective merit badge. For our troop, the way it works is that you contact one of our adult leaders and they will give you the contact information of a merit badge counselor for the merit badge you request!
Reminder that it is Troop 449 policy that all scouts need to attach a parent/guardian to the email!
What is the Eagle Scout process and how does your troop support it?
Here is a link to the Eagle Scout process! The way our troop support it is we have many adults and scouts who have done the process before who will gladly assist you in the process! Overall, you are in good hands with Troop 449.
How does your troop promote leadership development?
Our troop promotes leadership development by giving young individuals a safe and inclusive place to develop leadership skills with extensive practice. As mentioned before on this page, Troop 449 prides itself as a scout led troop. This means that while we do have adult leaders to guide the scouts in the right direction, at the end of the day the important decisions fall on the scouts. This strategy helps us become confident and better leaders for the future.
What do we do with your information?
Our troop is dedicated to protecting our scouts data. You can see how we protect our users data in the Privacy Policy.
If you have any other questions please direct yourself to https://www.scouting.org/about/faq!