Straight answers before you join

Youth who have completed fifth grade, or are age 11, or have earned the Arrow of Light, up through age 17. Scouts join from many different schools and cities around Los Altos — you don't need to come from a particular pack.

Monday evenings, 7:00–8:00 PM, in Room 1 at Grant Park, 1575 Holt Ave, Los Altos, CA 94024. Visitors are welcome any week.

No. New scouts arrive knowing nothing about knots, stoves, or backpacks, and that's expected. To start, bring a sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, a daypack, sturdy shoes, and rain gear. The troop does not provide tents, stoves, or patrol cooking equipment, and we do not have a shared gear closet. For a first campout, your scout can share a tent with another scout.

Annual dues cover national and council registration, awards, and troop gear. Campouts are billed individually and generally cover food and site fees. Summer camp and high adventure trips are larger and announced well ahead. Financial assistance is available — ask a leader confidentially.

About once a month during the school year, plus a week of summer camp. Typical destinations include Sunset Beach, Castle Rock, Angel Island, Manresa State Beach, and Sierra snow trips.

Yes. Scouts join throughout the year and are placed in a patrol right away. A Troop Guide helps new scouts catch up on early rank requirements.

Scouts advance through seven ranks at their own pace by completing requirements, earning merit badges, serving in a leadership position, and — for Eagle — planning and leading a service project. Our advancement chair and Troop Guides keep scouts on track.

No. Campouts need a handful of registered adults and drivers, so most families help out a couple of times a year, but overnight attendance is not required. Adults who do camp must complete Youth Protection Training and register.

We follow Scouting America Youth Protection policies, two-deep leadership, and the Guide to Safe Scouting on every outing. Trip leaders carry first-aid kits and emergency plans, and health forms are required for camping.

Visit a Monday meeting. Talk to scouts and leaders, watch how the patrols run things, and then decide. There's no obligation to sign up after visiting.