· Frequently Asked Questions ·

No prior Scouting experience? No problem! Troop 1589 welcomes boys and girls under 18 who meet one of the following:

• Completed 5th grade
• Are at least 11 years old
• Earned the Arrow of Light in Cub Scouts

Adults (18+) are also welcome to join as leaders and volunteers!

Troop 1589 welcomes all eligible youth and adult leaders, regardless of gender, race, ethnic background, sexual orientation, or gender identification, who are willing to accept Scouting’s values. We believe that all youth deserve a safe space meant solely for them to grow and succeed.

Absolutely not! We have scouts from various areas in our troop: Madison Heights, Royal Oak, Troy, Warren, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Oak Park, Chesterfield, Fraser, and more!

It also doesn’t matter what school you go to or what religious affiliation you are.

How We Keep Scouts Safe

The safety and well-being of our Scouts is our top priority. Troop 1589 follows strict policies to ensure a safe and positive environment for all youth.

Background Checks & Training

✅ All registered adult leaders undergo a criminal background check before assuming any leadership role.
✅ Youth Protection Training (YPT) is required for all leaders every two years and strongly encouraged for any parent who will be in direct contact with Scouts. It’s a quick, valuable training that helps create a safe space for all youth.

Adult Supervision & Communication

👥 Two-Deep Leadership – At least two registered adult leaders (21+) must be present at all Scouting activities, including meetings. If female youth are present, a registered female leader (21+) must also be in attendance.
🚫 No One-on-One Contact – One-on-one interactions between adults and youth are never allowed, whether in person, online, or over the phone.
📱 Safe Communication – All private messages (texts, calls, social media, etc.) must include another registered leader or a parent.

Resources for Families

📖 Every Scout handbook includes a Parents’ Guide to Protecting Your Child from Abuse (also available in our Resources section), which families are encouraged to review together. Some ranks even require it!

By working together, we create a fun, safe, and supportive environment where Scouts can grow, lead, and explore with confidence!

Not at all! Outfitting a Scout for camping doesn’t have to break the bank. Basic gear for a weekend campout can be affordable, and many items can be borrowed, thrifted, or gradually acquired over time.

Gear & Equipment

📌 Essentials – A standard gear list is available to help families know what’s needed for weekend campouts. For summer camp, there are a few extra items to consider, and winter camping requires specific cold-weather gear, like a 0-degree-rated sleeping bag, which is a great long-term investment.

📌 Troop Gear Library – Troop 1589 has a gear library where Scouts can check out tents and other equipment for camping trips.

📌 Troop Closet – We maintain a Troop Closet with donated uniforms and other essentials for Scouts who need them.

📌 Merit Badge Library – Our Troop Library offers Merit Badge Guides and resources for Scouts to borrow instead of purchasing.

Year-Round Camping & Budgeting

🏕️ Troop 1589 camps year-round, with about one campout per month (usually the 3rd weekend) and a week-long summer camp. By spreading out purchases and using troop resources, families can equip their Scout affordably while ensuring they’re prepared for every adventure!

If you have questions about gear or need recommendations, just ask—we’re happy to help!

For Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouting participants, the annual fee is $85 (Scouting America National Fee) plus $85 (Michigan Crossroads Council Program Fee/Insurance). Scouts also have the option of purchasing a subscription to Scout Life magazine for an additional $15.

Registered adults/Adult volunteers pay a $65 annual fee (Scouting America National Fee), which includes the cost of a background check, plus a $15 program/insurance fee (Michigan Crossroads Council).

Troop 1589 emphasizes year-round camping including a week long summer camp and continuing through the year with approximately one campout per month (usually the 3rd weekend of each month) with the exception of the month of December. The cost of a weekend campout is usually between $25-$45

In addition, all scouts in Troop 1589 are expected to assist the troop in fundraising efforts by participating in 2 mandatory fundraisers each year. Troop 1589 holds a “Scout Account” for each scout. Participating in fundraisers throughout the year will allow your scout to offset some of their campout and outing costs by earning funds for their Scout Account.

Upon joining, Troop 1589 provides the following to each scout:

• Troop Neckerchief
• Troop numeral patch
• 60-year veteran unit bar patch
• Patrol Emblem, once a patrol is chosen
• All awards & recognition items for the year.

Yes! The scout uniform is one of the 8 Methods of Scouting. The Scouts BSA uniform is a symbol of a Scout’s commitment to Scouting and its values. It makes the Scout troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community.

Troop 1589 meetings are full-uniform meetings. In Scouting, we call our regular uniform “Class A”.

Once you join, you should purchase the following items:

• BSA Scout Class A Uniform Shirt (short sleeves recommended) with Council Shoulder Patch and World Crest Emblem Patch
• BSA Scout Uniform shorts or pants (does not have to be official BSA pants or short as long as they are the same color)
• Scout Handbook (cover highly recommended)
• Green Shoulder Loops

Upon joining, Troop 1589 provides the following to each scout:

• Troop Neckerchief
• Troop numeral patch
• 60-year veteran unit bar patch
• Patrol Emblem, once a patrol is chosen
• All awards & recognition items for the year.

Uniform items can be purchased in-person from a local Scout Shop or online at Official BSA® Scout Shop – Online Store for All Your Scouting Needs | Scouting America®

At Troop 1589, we believe that Scouting is more than just an activity, it’s an opportunity to grow, explore, and have fun! All of our Scouts strive to live by the Scout Oath and Law, helping each other learn valuable skills while making lifelong friends.

We know life can be busy, and while Scouts can choose which activities to attend, being part of the majority of our events helps make the experience even more rewarding. Whether it’s camping, community service, or hands-on learning, regular participation helps Scouts gain confidence, earn advancements, and make the most of their journey.

We also understand that Scouts have commitments like school sports, band, and other activities. If there’s ever a scheduling conflict, just let your patrol leader and an adult leader know! We often find ways to accommodate late arrivals or other adjustments so Scouts can stay active in all their interests. Many of our Scouts successfully balance Scouting with athletics, marching band, and youth groups while still making time for family and friends.

To keep our program strong and support exciting adventures, all Scouts are asked to participate in two annual fundraisers. These efforts help fund activities, equipment, and trips, making Scouting affordable and accessible for everyone.

No, but we encourage getting involved!

Scouting is an incredible adventure for youth, but it’s also a unique opportunity for parents to be part of their child’s journey. We only have so many years with our kids before they grow up, and being involved in Scouting is a great way to make the most of that time together!

While Troop 1589 is a Scout-led troop, the success of our program depends on dedicated adult volunteers behind the scenes. Every Scout troop needs committed parents to help keep things running smoothly, and we encourage all families to support the troop in some way during their child’s time with us. Some parents take on leadership roles or become committee members, while others may help with events, transportation, or special projects, there’s a role for everyone, big or small!

For those who plan to join campouts or serve in a leadership capacity, we ask that you Register as an Adult and complete Youth Protection Training to ensure a safe and positive environment for all Scouts.

Getting involved isn’t just about helping the troop, it’s about making lasting memories with your child, seeing them grow firsthand, and being part of something truly special. We invite you to be part of the adventure with Troop 1589!

Let us know how you’d like to contribute, we would love to have you on board!

No! all scouts in Troop 1589 are expected to assist the troop in fundraising efforts by participating in 2 mandatory fundraisers each year. Troop 1589 holds a “Scout Account” for each scout.

We offer many additional opportunities for fundraising throughout the year, participating in these fundraisers will allow a scout to offset some of their campout and outing costs by earning funds for their Scout Account.

We’re excited to have you join our Scouting family! Now that you’ve signed up, here’s what to do next:

1. Join Us at Our Next Meeting!

The best way to jump in is by attending a Thursday evening troop meeting at Page Middle School. This is where you’ll meet fellow Scouts, get important updates, and start learning what Scouting is all about!

2. Meet Your Patrol

New Scouts are placed into a patrol, which is your small team within the troop. Each patrol has a Patrol Leader: an experienced Scout who helps with organizing food for campouts, coordinating activities, and guiding younger Scouts through advancement.

3. Learn How the Troop Works

Our troop is Scout-led, which means youth take the lead in planning and running activities! The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) oversees all patrols and is supported by older Scouts and adult leaders. While Scouts take charge, our adult leaders are always there for guidance and to ensure safety.

During your first few meetings, you will sit briefly with our Troop Guide, who will introduce you to people in the troop, go over Advancements with you, let you know how Merit Badges work, and answer any questions you might have.

Also, during your first few meetings, your parents/guardian will be asked to attend for about 15 minutes of each meeting to meet with our Membership Chair. The Membership Chair will cover many of the same topics with your family – how the troop is organized, how campouts and outings work, rank advancements, merit badges, and more!

4. Get Your Uniform & Gear

To look the part and be ready for activities, you’ll need a Scout uniform. If you’re not sure what to get, just ask—we’re happy to help!

Scouting is all about adventure, learning, and making new friends. We’re excited to have you on board and can’t wait to see you at our next meeting! Welcome to Troop 1589!