How to Join

Note:  If you are a Cub Scout bridging into our troop, you must either be 11 years old or have earned your Arrow of Light.   These directions also apply for a boy that was in cub scouts or boy scouts previously, but membership has lapsed for some period of time.  

What you need to do:

1. Transfer your scout via my.scouting.org following the instructions at this website. If you have any problems, contact our membership chair Jeremy Cheng.  

2. The troop collects dues every December (amount for 2024 is TBD based on council costs). We will also collect $35 for the handbook and accessories.

3. Complete all three pages of this medical waiver and health form .  Make TWO copies and turn in at any scout event.  Don't forget to include a copy of the front/back of your health insurance card.

4. Now follow the instructions below in the "After You Join..." section..

Boys ages 11 through 17 can join Troop 539 anytime of the year!

Here's what you need to do:

1. Complete the online application.  You'll pay a registration fee online.

2. Troop dues for 2024 is being evaluated now. We will also collect $25 for the handbook and accessories.

3. Complete parts A, B1, & B2 of this medical/release form.  Make TWO copies and turn in at any scout event.  (Part C is required for events longer than 72 hours, such as summer camp.)  Don't forget to include a copy of the front/back of your health insurance card.

4. Now follow the instructions below in the "After You've Joined..." section.

Once you've joined, the adventure begins.  Here are the top things to think about and do....

1. Please have a discussion with your scout while you review the Code of Conduct.  Print and sign the code of conduct and return to any troop meeting. 

2. Check out our Scout-Parent Orientation.

3. Be sure you and your son are set up on Scoutbook.  This Scoutbook Primer describes how to get your son his own Scoutbook account.  Scoutbook is where everything happens:  calendar, RSVPing, information about events, sign-ups, merit badge opportunities, advancement tracking, etc.  It is critical that you learn how to use it and check it often.

4. Get your gear!  You will need to obtain the following from the Scout Shop (1900 The Alameda #100, San Jose, CA 95126)

• Tan uniform shirt (get a size larger than you think you need, as your son will grow!) with the following patches:

• Council patch (Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council)

• American Flag patch

• World Crest patch

• Olive pants (best to get zippered legs to convert into shorts)

• Scout belt and socks (optional)

• Cover for the handbook (optional; but keeps the handbook from falling apart;  Note, the handbook is something the troop provides)

Troop 539 will provide you with the following:

• "539" patch

• Neckerchief & slide

• Shoulder epaulets

Troop 539 will collect $35 for this equipment:

• Boy Scout Handbook ($25 or you can purchase this yourself at the scout shop)

• "Class B" troop t-shirt (informal t-shirt worn on camping trips, workdays, etc) ($10)

5. Attend troop meetings on Tuesdays at 7:00pm.  The first Tuesday of every month is "Green Bar" -- which is for senior scouts to plan the month's activities.  You do not need to attend that meeting (for now!).

6. Start working on your first rank which is called "Scout."  The requirements are listed in your handbook.  You'll need to learn and demonstrate some skills, show that you understand the basics of scouting, and have a meeting with the Scoutmaster.  It shouldn't take more than a few meetings to earn your Scout rank.

7. Obtain your camping gear.  To know what you need, start by reading your Boy Scouts handbook and the detailed orientation packet (#1 above).  

8. Dive a little deeper into boy scouts, our troop and learn some terminology by reading this primer.

Scoutbook is a critical tool your son needs to use.  The sooner he gets his own account, the more independent he will become and the less you, as a parent, have to track.  Once you've turned in an application or registered online, your son will appear in Scoutbook but you, the parent, owns the account. He needs to have his own account.  Here's what you do.

1. Log into Scoutbook.  Click on your son's name/photo.

2. Click on "Edit Extended Information" below your son's summary information.

3. Click on "Invite [name] to Connect"

4. Enter a personal email address (NOT a school email address) and click "Invite"

5. Your son will receive an email with a Scoutbook invitation and temporary password.  They need to log in, change their password, and then they are ready to go!

Official instructions from the Scouting organization.

Troop 539 leaders come in many forms!  

You must be a registered adult leader for the following roles:

• Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmasters

• Committee Chairs

• Merit Badge Counselors

• Overnight stays with the troop

It is not necessary to be a registered adult leader for the following roles:

• Help with day trips/service projects

• Attend a troop meeting

• Carpool driver

• Board of Review participant

Please complete the following steps, in this order:

1) Youth Protection Training

• 72 minutes online

• good for 2 years

• log into my.scouting.org (with your scoutbook.com credentials) to take the training or see when your current training expires)

2) CA Mandated Reporter Training 

• 2 hours online

• Follow the instructions on the link above.  

• Be sure you upload your Background Consent Form and your Reporter Training completion certificate here when finished.

• Note: If you've taken this training for another purpose (e.g., school or church volunteer), you don't need to take this again. You will need your completion certificate to upload in the previous bullet.

3) Fingerprinted via LiveScan

• Complete this specific bsa form.  

• Look here for locations and to make an appointment.

• Note: If you've been fingerprinted for another purpose (e.g, school or church volunteer), you still need to complete this again for scouting. If you've been fingerprinted for cub scouts or another troop and the results were submitted to the BSA, you do not need to do this again.

4) Adult application (includes background check)

• Complete the Adult application online here.

• Select "Adult Volunteers."

• Pay the registration fee. After completing online trainings, and volunteering at 2 events, the Troop will reimburse your registration fee.

• Any questions or issues contact our membership coordinator.

5) Adult Online Training 

• Over time, please complete your training requirements on Scoutbook. It may take a couple days after registration to show up.

• Click on My Account - My Training - Requirements

6) Merit Badge Counselor Requirements (For Merit Badge Counselors only)

• Print and complete page 1 of this merit badge counselor form.

• Complete the online training from my.scouting.org, which includes these modules:

  • Advancement (SC_471)

  • Aims and Methods of Scouting (SC_472)

  • Introduction to Merit Badges (SC_474)

  • What is a Merit Badge Counselor (SC_486)

• Once all the above are complete, email a) MB counselor form, b) Adult application (from step 4), c) YPT certificate (from step 1), and d) certificates from the online training to MeritBadge@svmbc.org. 

7) Med Forms A/B (for any adult attending an overnight trip)

• You should have medical forms for any overnight trip.  Print two copies and turn them in at any Tuesday troop meeting.

• If attending a trip more than 72 hours (e.g., Hi Sierra, long backpacking trip, etc), you must have a doctor complete Form C.