How can I tell where our Scout meetings are being held?  How are location changes communicated?

Weekly Troop 1346 meetings are held 7:30-9:00 PM at Terra Centre Elementary during the school year and at Burke Presbyterian Church during the summer when school is not in session. On official school holidays and other times when schools are closed the troop meets at Burke Presbyterian, as well.

The annual troop calendar, distributed to scouts in October, has the locations of troop meetings listed and the monthly troop calendar, distributed to scouts on the first meeting of each month, also lists the meeting locations.
What are the boys expected to wear in regard to their uniforms?  Are there any exceptions to full uniform?  What is "Class A" and "Class B"?  When is each worn?
From Labor Day to Memorial Day, the official Troop 1346 uniform is "Class A" - the khaki shirt with insignia, olive drab trousers or shorts, scout belt and scout bolo.  The merit badge sash is usually worn only at Courts of Honor. 

From Memorial Day to Labor Day scouts may opt for the "Class B" uniform - a Scouting T-shirt, olive drab trousers or shorts and scout belt.  Scout socks are also highly encouraged for wear with both uniforms.
How do you arrange a Scoutmaster conference?  Is it only the Scoutmaster who holds them or can Assistant Scoutmasters (ASM's) do them as well?
A Scoutmaster Conference is required for each scout to earn the next level of rank, from Scout to Eagle.  Scouts should contact the Scoutmaster to request a Scoutmaster Conference.  The Scoutmaster and the Scout will agree on a mutually acceptable time and location for the conference, or the Scoutmaster may assign one of the Assistant Scoutmasters to hold the conference. 
Who can sign off on advancement?  To whom do you go if there is a question about a requirement?
For Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class:  In Troop 1346, any Scout of Life rank or above, or a Scout serving as Troop Guide, may sign off advancement requirements for First Class and below or answer questions concerning requirements for these ranks. The Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmasters (ASMs) may also sign off on these advancement requirements or answer questions, but is is preferred that Scouts sign these off. 

For Star, Life, and Eagle:  The Scoutmaster will sign off requirements for these advanced ranks.  ASMs and senior Scouts can usually answer questions regarding these ranks.
What do you do if you lose your Scout Handbook and record of advancement?
Its important for each boy to keep careful track of his scout handbook as it is the most reliable record of his advancement. Nonetheless, following Boards of Review, a copy of the pertinent advancement page is made for Troop Records. Contact the Committee Advancement Chair to obtain.
Who handles advancement records and materials?  When can I contact that person?
Sherry Dold is the Committee representative responsible for overseeing the smooth functioning of our monthly Boards of Review (generally held on the same evening as the PLC). As boys advance, she ensures that the record of their advancement passes to Jack Kelley. Jack is present at most Troop meetings with a tackle box full of badges, insignia, etc. as well as the actual records related to advancement and merit badges.
Who do I ask if I want to volunteer to help in some area?
There are at least three areas of volunteer help. If you are interested in playing an active role as a uniformed leader, contact our Scoutmaster, Bob Brese, or our Committee Chair, Pat Wirth.  Both of them can be emailed from the links on the left side of this website. 
What is the Patriot District, NCAC?

The National Capital Area Council (NCAC) - for management purposes - is divided into 22 Districts, and the Patriot District is geographically located in Burke and Fairfax Station.  All BSA units in Burke, Burke Center and Fairfax Station are part of the Patriot District.  This includes some 25 troops and 26 packs.  The District Executive (professional staff) is Mr. Brian McGuire (bmcguire@boyscouts-ncac.org) who occupies an office in the NCAC headquarters building.  All other District positions are filled with volunteers.  Patriot District happenings can be viewed at its web site at http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/district/patriot.  

Note: The Patriot District was formed in June 1998 and used to be a part of the now defunct George Washington District. GW basically became too huge to manage and it was split into three; Patriot, Colonial and Old Dominion. The Patriot District manages the troop and pack program for all subordinate units. Roundtable meetings are held the 2d Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the LDS Wakefield Ward Annandale Stake, 4911 Ox Road (next to the Salvation Army). 
Where is the headquarters for the National Capital Area Council (NCAC)?  Is that the same as the Marriott Center? What can you purchase there?  What else goes on there?

The NCAC is located at 9190 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814. The switchboard telephone is 301-530-9660.  The general website is www.boyscouts-ncac.com.  NCAC is located in a 3-story building commonly called the Marriott Scout Service Center.  It is within view of the National Naval Medical Center and the National Institute of Health.  It is accessed via the Capital Beltway (East bound) to Exit 34 (Wisconsin Avenue/Rockville Pike) and is inside the Beltway, located on the corner of Cedar Lane and Rockville Pike.  It is one of the largest Scout Councils in the United States serving 16 counties in Maryland, Virginia and the District and over 70,000 young people.  NCAC supports a professional staff of over 70 full-time personnel.

Is there a Scout shop at the Marriott Service Center?

There is a well-stocked Scout shop located within the service center selling quite a variety of scouting products. It stocks insignia, uniforms, literature, camping equipment and other things for Cubs, Scouts, Tigers, Varsity Scouts and adult Scouters. It is open daily except Sunday, and late on Thursday evenings. Call the Scout Shop at 301-564-1091 for hours.  Major credit cards are accepted and you can shop over the phone and pick up later - or have someone else pick up.  If you want to shop online, try www.scoutstuff.org. 

Where do new boys come from who join the troop?  Can older boys join?

Cubs "crossing over" to Troop 1346 come from Packs in a wide area around Burke Center.  Older boys, or those who have not had the Cub Scout experience, are always welcome in Troop 1346.  There is no geographic restriction, however Scouts in Troop 1346 generally attend Robinson High School or Lake Braddock High School and the elementary or middle schools that feed these them.
What important scout gatherings are there on a District, Council, National basis?

Patriot District: Camporees in the spring and fall for all scouts and Hike-O-Rees in the fall for Venturing age scouts; monthly roundtables for adult leaders. 

National Capital Area Council: Scouting on the Mall scout show bi-annually.

Boy Scouts of America: Scout Jamboree every 4 years

What is a unit commissioner?

A Unit Commissioner (UC) is a generalist whose mission in Scouting is to assist units to succeed.  The UC is expected to cooperate with other Scouting personnel related to specific programs but not be responsible for them.  Duties include:  maintain a close cooperation with the chartered organizations of the served units; work to assure effective and active unit committees; work to involve adult leaders in roundtables (adult monthly meetings); establish good lines of communication between unit personnel and other districts and council leaders; help select and recruit unit leaders; see that all units are rechartered on time and submit paperwork that will earn the units their annual awards such as Quality Unit and National Camping Award; and set a good example for others.  Note: Tom Pierpoint (tjpierpoint@pepco.com) is the UC for Troop 1346.

How much,on average, will it cost for my son to participate in Boy Scouts?

Troop 1346 has traditionally been a non-fund-raising unit. This means the Scout pays all expenses. Yearly costs are $115 plus individual activity fees.  However, as Scouting costs have continued to rise, the Committee is actively reviewing fund-raising opportunities.
What is the venturing program?

Venturing is a program of scouting for boys and girls age 14-20. It offers a program designed to keep scouts interested and active in scouting. Activities include such things as backpacking, rock climbing, caving, canoeing and whitewater rafting, etc. Venturers may also participate in BSA sponsored High Adventure Camps such as Philmont Scout Ranch, Sea Base, and Northern Tier, or in High Adventure Camps that are sponsored by various local Scout Councils.