About Our Program

Scouts BSA Troop 71 has been serving the community of Plano, Illinois since 1965.  We are very proud of our history in the Scouting Movement for the past 60 years.  In 2024, we added a girl's unit to our program umbrella to better serve our community. We are sponsored by the American Legion Leon Burson Post #395.

Troop 71 operates under the direction of our Scoutmaster, who has implemented a "youth-lead" program under the auspices of our Patrol Leaders Council (PLC). The Scoutmaster and PLC then report to the Troop Committee.  Ultimately, this means that the Scouts run the troop program and not the adults.  Scouts will learn skills such as leadership, conflict resolution, outdoor skills, and other things that they can only learn in the Scouts BSA program.

We are an active Troop, with at least one activity scheduled each month.  Our program year runs from September to August.  Each month a different activity takes place.  Whether it's a campout, service project, or even a high adventure activity, we are always active.  Each year, we take part in a week-long summer camp with a commitment to developing leaders, character, citizenship, and personal fitness.

For nearly 50 years, our troop has brought to the community our spring Friday Night Fish & Shrimp Fry, which serves as a social event and fundraiser for our troop.

Most of our meetings take place on Tuesdays at our very own Camp Kishwaukee in Plano, Illinois.

Scouts BSA Troop 71 is currently organized in the Potawatomi District of Three Fires Council, although our geographic area has seen numerous changes over the years:

• 2019 - Present: Potawatomi District, Three Fires Council

  • 2019: Three Fires Council consolidates from 10 districts down to three districts ... Maramech Hill & Kishwaukee districts are fused into "Potawatomi District, Keepers of the Fire".

• 1993 - 2019: Maramech Hill District, Three Fires Council

  • 1993: Two Rivers Council and DuPage Area Council join forces to provide a stronger program to youth in DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, & Kendall counties.

• 1968 - 1992: Maramech Hill District, Two Rivers Council

  • 1968: Kedeka Area Council and Chief Shabbona Council join forces to provide a stronger program to youth in DeKalb, Kane, & Kendall counties.

• 1965 - 1968: Kedeka Area Council

  • 1965: Scouts BSA Troop 71 is formed in Plano, Illinois to serve the outdoor and civic needs of boys throughout the community.

Scouting has been around a long time. Scouting America was founded in 1910 and became federally chartered with the United States in 1916. 

What is the age range for joining Scouts BSA?

Youth can join a Scout troop who have earned the Arrow of Light rank and are at least 10 years old, or have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10, or who are 11, but not yet 18 years old.

What is the responsibility of a parent of a new Scout?

Scouts BSA patrol and troop meetings are intended to be an activity for youth. They are not a family activity, and the presence of parents can be a distraction. However, parental involvement is not forbidden. If a parent or guardian would like to be present during a troop meeting, they should consult with the Scoutmaster in advance so a way can be arranged for them to observe. There also might be provisions for them to register for a position on the troop committee or as an assistant Scoutmaster. There are always ways for your parent or guardian to be involved.

How do adults get involved?

All troops are chartered to a local organization, in our case it is the American Legion Post #395. The chartered organization serves as a sponsor of Scouting and is essentially the owner/operator of the Scouting unit. In this role, the head of the organization approves all adult volunteer leaders. All leaders are required to take our child safety course called “Youth Protection,” and specific training for their role in Scouting is available either online or in a classroom setting. To help the organization maintain a quality program, there is a person assigned to be a liaison between the unit and the chartered organization. In addition, every unit has a committee (typically made up of Scouting parents) that oversees proper operation and ensures a safe and fun program.

What supplies and equipment does a Scout need?

The single most important piece of equipment a Scout needs is the Scout Handbook. The uniform is also very important as it plays an essential role in creating a sense of belonging, and it’s where a Scout gets to display their awards and rank achievements. Uniforms can be ordered online or in person at the local Scout shop. Additional supplies and equipment may be needed for certain activities such as camping trips or field days. What equipment is needed, as well as whether it will be provided by the troop, will vary. Unit leaders will provide information about any required supplies at the beginning of each program year.

Is Scouting safe?

Yes. Programs are designed to follow a strict set of rules and policies that can be found in the Guide to Safe Scouting. Every registered adult in Scouting is required to complete a Youth Protection training course and a criminal background check. For more information, visit the training page.

Who should be contacted if help is needed?

A Scout’s patrol leader is the first resource if there are any questions. The senior patrol leader is the next source of information, and then finally the Scoutmaster.

How often does a troop meet?

Scouts meet once each week at their troop meeting. Beyond that, it depends on the patrol and troop. A troop may hold a special activity, such as a service project or outdoor experience, in place of one of the weekly meetings or in addition to the weekly meetings.

What is a patrol?

A Scout patrol is a small team of normally six to eight Scouts where patrol members learn skills together, share responsibilities and take on leadership roles. 

Who runs the troop?

The senior patrol leader who is elected by the Scouts.

Who plans the meetings and activities?

The Patrol Leaders’ Council made up of the senior patrol leader, who presides over the meetings, the assistant senior patrol leader, all patrol leaders, and the troop guide.

One of the most difficult things for incoming parents to understand is the governance system used by the Boy Scouts of America.  To best implement the Scouting program, the organization is divided into several subsections.

• Scouting America (National Council - provides for the overall program)

• Three Fires Council #127 (Local Council - charters individual units and provides services to a geographic region)

• Potawatomi District (District - supports individual units in a local cluster of communities)

• Scouts BSA Troop 71B (Unit - serves boys in middle school and high school in Plano, Illinois and it's surrounding communities)

• Scouts BSA Troop 71G (Unit - serves girls in middle school and high school in Plano, Illinois and it's surrounding communities)