Troop 325 Annual Report
San Jose, California - Since 1960 - Service, Leadership, Achievement
January 20, 2009
I am proud to report that Troop 325 is now in its 49th year of service to the youth of West San Jose. We are one of the largest of the 36 troops in Pioneer District, which is one of four districts in Santa Clara County Council. A Cub Scout Pack and a Venture Crew (a coed program for older youth) have also evolved out of the troop. The troop was formed in 1959 and first chartered to Country Lane Home & School Club in 1960. The pack was formed one year later in 1961, and the Venture Crew (as an Explorer Post) in 1973. Originally, Country Lane Home & School Club sponsored all three, but now the Parents of Troop 325 sponsors the troop and crew. The troop meets at Prince of Peace Church during the school year and outdoors in Moreland Woods (adjacent to Easterbrook Discovery School) during the summer. In the fall of 2006, Rogers Middle School merged with Castro Middle School to form Moreland Middle School. We were sponsored by the Rogers Middle School Home & School Club and are now sponsored by the Parents of Troop 325.
Troop 325 is one of the more active troops in the Council, with an outing at least once a month. In addition, Troop 325 is one of the more active troops at regional, national, and international events. These include the yearly District Camporee, International Rendezvous held every two years, and the National Scout Jamboree near Washington D.C. which is held every four years. In previous years, the troop has also organized trips to the all three High Adventure bases which are Florida Sea Base, Philmont in New Mexico and Northern Tier in Minnesota. This year the troop is planning a backpacking trip to Santa Cruz, as well as planning a 50 mile trip within the next two years.
Outings in 2008 included a ski/snowboard trip to Tahoe Donner, snow camping, hiking and camping as part of the RimRover (a series of hikes in the Bay Area), backpacking at Angel Island, rifle and shotgun shooting, and backpacking. One of the highlights of the year in which we strive for 100% participation is Summer Camp. We find that this weeklong camp provides the perfect opportunity for scouts to bond and make friends with each other, as well as learn essential scout skills. In 2008 we attended Camp High Sierra, our Council's own camp, located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, where we will go again this summer.
Through various fundraising events, including popcorn sales, and manning concession booths at Stanford football games, the Scouts are able to pay for much of their participation in these outings. Half of the profits of what a scout earns through fundraising in kept in a personal "scout account" which he can use for outings or equipment.
Community service is an integral part of Scouting. Over the years, the Scouts of Troop 325 have logged thousands of hours of service to local parks, schools, and churches, including projects in Moreland Woods at Easterbrook Discovery School, projects at Castro Middle School and Country Lane School, the VA's Stand Down (a homeless veterans outreach program), as well as service to our current meeting place provider, Prince of Peace church. The troop received, with leadership of Mr. Denise, the William T. Hornaday Award in 2007 - a national conservation award.
Members of Troop 325 have been very active in the Order of the Arrow. The OA is a service organization within scouting which provides service to various Boy Scout events. There is one Lodge (group) per District. The Chapter Chief of the Miwok Lodge of the Pioneer district has been a member of Troop 325 for almost all of the past 10 years or so. For the last several years, the OA has served as staff for the Pioneer District Camporee, responsible for registration, parking, running and scoring events, and leading the weekend's campfire program. Members of Troop 325 have made up the majority of that staff, learning valuable leadership skills along the way.
Nationally, approximately two Scouts out of 100 achieve Scouting's highest award, Eagle Scout. To date, Troop 325 has graduated a total of 72 Eagle Scouts, almost four times the national average. Six of our scouts have achieved Eagle in 2008, and we currently have a dozen Life scouts in various phases of their Eagle project.
The members of Troop 325 are very proud of their record. With the support of our adult leaders and parents we intend to continue the traditions and customs of our troop and continue our outstanding record of Service, Leadership, and Achievement.
Yours in Scouting,
Andy Duprey
Scoutmaster