Welcome to Troop 71!

Troop 71 does not charge annual unit dues and is a pay-as-you-participate program. Troop 71 has a one-time joining fee that we collect which includes your Troop 71 unit numbers, Scouts BSA shoulder loops, Troop 71 neckerchief, Scouts BSA neckerchief slide, and Scouts BSA Handbook. Payments can be completed at one of our troop meetings. Members are still responsible for paying their membership fee to Scouting America annually.

Upon completion of your child's registration with Scouting America, you will gain access to the Scoutbook+ system, which houses your child's advancement records and our calendar of events.

Scouting America currently uses two systems to manage records:

• Scoutbook+ - calendar and activities

• my.Scouting - registration and training

If you have not already done so, please activate your child's account in Scoutbook. You will need to use a dedicated email address for your child to do this (free accounts are available from Google/Apple/Microsoft/Yahoo). This will allow your child access to track their progress in Scouting on their own. Detailed instructions for this can be found on the Scouting.org website. Please use these tools to stay up to date on your child's progress in Scouts BSA. 

Additionally, Scouts BSA Troop 71 uses GroupMe as our main communication tool. We encourage you and your Scout to ask for details at a troop meeting on how to join the Troop 71 GroupMe so that you know what is happening and get the latest news.

A Scout should wear their Scouts BSA Field Uniform appropriately.  The shirt should always be tucked in and orderly. They should understand the importance of representing the entire Scouting America organization while in uniform. Scouts should enjoy wearing their uniform. They should wear it to patrol meetings, troop meetings, and special troop activities. Adults can follow the Troop's regular adult uniforming guidelines.

All Scouts must wear the official Scouts BSA Field Uniform (tan shirt with olive green epaulets). Official uniform pants, shorts, or skorts, caps and Scouts BSA socks are optional.  If not using official uniform pants/shorts, then the Scout is expected to wear solid-color blue jeans with no holes or patches.

Learn more about the Scouts BSA Uniform

Although we are a youth-led organization, we are also a parent-supported organization. We need your help for the youth program at Troop 71 to run smoothly and effortlessly! Without dedicated parents volunteering in various leadership roles, our troop suffers. It is vital that we continuously recruit new parents to assist in supporting our troop’s needs. Currently, we have a great set of leaders, but they won’t be here forever! A smooth transition is much easier to accomplish when you can work alongside the person that you are taking a role over from. Please consider one of the positions listed below and let us know that you are interested in joining our current group of awesome leaders … you won’t regret the time spent with your child!

All leadership roles require an adult application, background check authorization, and the completion of appropriate training for your position. 

Learn more about adult leadership opportunities

The Troop 71 Handbook contains policies and rules pertaining to all units operating as Scouts BSA Troop 71 Plano and is not a contract. These rules are neither inclusive nor exclusive as we believe it is impossible to write rules to cover all issues and situations. These rules also support and follow all national Scouting America policies and regulations. Troop rules will be thoughtfully applied by the Troop’s leadership. Any subsequent modifications or additions will be approved by the Troop Committee and announced by the Scoutmaster. 

Our goal is to provide an enjoyable time for Scouts while learning skills and values. The adult leaders are here to support the youth-led program for Scouting, offering your Scout the opportunity to advance from New Scout to Eagle Scout. 

There are several forms that are important to complete within the first month of your membership with Troop 71. These forms help us to maintain a safe setting for your participation in our program.