Both our Girl Troop and Boy Troop are scout-led and divided into patrols. The troops work together as a closely knit team. Youth select their own leadership; which make up the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC). The PLC plans our weekly troop meetings and provides youth leadership at all our events.
We operate as one Troop, with one oversight committee and a single calendar of events. This allows families to participate in the program together and our scouts to learn from their peers. It is important that our youth learn to work with older scouts, as well as younger scouts, and with both girls and boys. This is a guiding principle to our troop structure.
Currently, we have 3 boy patrols and 1 girl patrol. Our patrols are mixed ages to foster fellowship between the older scouts and newer scouts. Older scouts guide new scouts through the activities; allowing older scouts to complete their leadership requirements and for the new scouts to learn their basic outdoor skills.
Incoming Scouts will initially join the Nova patrol lead by a youth Troop Guide. After a short time, scouts are sorted into one of the existing patrols. We try to divide them among the patrols to keep the age dynamics balanced. Our Scoutmaster works with the new scouts to ensure that they go into their new patrol with at least one buddy/friend.
Siblings and friends are always welcome at our troop events with parent supervision. Some special events are available only to registered scout members, such as summer camp and camporee. Any attendance restrictions are posted in the event on the Scoutbook calendar.
Troop 498 was founded in 1980 by Tom Mechler in the May Valley area and expanded in 2019 into a Family Troop structure, welcoming both boys and girls. Mr. Mechler served as the Scoutmaster until 1990. Today, he continues to serve the Troop as a representative from our Charter Organization.
The Troop was, and continues to be, chartered with the Chief Seattle Council by the American Legion Post #19 (Renton).
From the beginning, Troop 498 motto has been 'Take a Hike'. The troop focuses on backpacking outings as the primary outdoor activity. In the summer months, we hold frequent day hikes and overnight hikes to keep the Troop's outdoor tradition alive.
Our goal is for new scouts to learn the many scout skills necessary for overnight backpacking trips and other scheduled events. All trips, with the acception of a few, are perfect for scouts of all ability levels.
In addition to earning merit badges, rank advancements, and performing community service projects, Troop 498 offers many great activities throughout the year. Some of our most recent activities included:
Troop 498 has a long-standing commitment to serving our community. Projects include:
The troop works hard to provide ongoing challenges for all skill levels and abilities. Experienced scouts (typically 13 and older) have enjoyed more challenging outdoor adventures, including
We have 4 types of meetings, which we rotate through each month:
Event Prep/Skills Night. Patrols work together to learn and teach a skill related to an upcoming event or rank requirement. If there is an upcoming outing they will also plan grub groups and tenting arrangments. If scouts are not attending the upcoming outing they are still encouraged to attent as many of the skills taught fufill rank requirements necessary to advance.
Merit Badge Night. The PLC selects an Eagle required Merit Badge (MB) for the troop to work on together. Typically, the selected MB is scheduled once a month for 3-4 months. Dedicated Scouts that complete the work during these meetings can get a majority of Eagle required Merit Badges completed in 4 years.
Social Nights. Once a month we hold a troop social. The PLC selects the theme of the social. Some more recent socials included YouTube Shorts, Talent Show, Burrito cook off, Gear Swap, Court of Honor, Elections, and an Egg cook off.
Rank & Merit Badge Catch-up Night. Scouts work on Rank and Merit Badge requirements of their choice with their patrol, fellow scouts, or a troop leader. Scouts should come to the troop meeting prepared to present or demonstrate the requirements they have completed and are ready to have signed off. It is also a night to get Scoutbook synchronized with items marked compete in a Scout’s handbook. If scouts come prepared, they can easily finish 3-4 requirements in one meeting.
Patrol Leader’s Council Meeting. The Patrol Leader's Council (PLC) meets once a month and plans our weekly troop meeting and outings. Senior Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders, Patrol Leaders, Scribe, Out-door Ethic Chairs are required to attend. All Scouts are welcome to attend to submit ideas for meetings.
Committee Meetings. Held once a month, provides SPL’s an opportunity to provide status from previous the month to adult leaders and update them on what activities are planned for the upcoming month. We also review any Eagle proposals, additional event planning needed and discuss district/high adv activities.
Court of Honor. Our advancement ceremony happens 3 times a year to recognize the accomplishments of our Scouts since the last celebration. Two weeks before the COH, we offer a Rank and Merit Badge catchup night (see details above) to give scouts an opportunity to finish any last minute assignments. Prior to the event we send an email out to families and Scouts listing the advancements and awards we have recorded for each Scout. It is essential that parents and Scouts review this list so that we do not miss any items for the upcoming COH. It is cruical that Scouts and parents review their awards so that any mistakes can be corrected prior to the COH.
Parent Meetings. Held once a month during troop meetings to give families important information about the troop and upcoming events.