Welcome to Troop 782! We’re glad you’re here. Please reach out if you have any questions that don’t have answers here.
This might seem like a lot all at once, but take it one step at a time, chat with other adult leaders at a Troop Meeting, and we’ll help!
- Come to a meeting and check us out in person. See our Events Calendar for when we have Troop Meetings.
. - Thought that was fun? Register your scout with BSA: Boys’ Troop or Girls’ Troop
Parents/guardians are also highly encouraged to register as an adult with BSA (Boys’ Troop or Girls’ Troop) so they can attend campouts, drive other scouts to scouting events, and generally have more fun. If adults want to spend more than 72h around the kids (https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/), they are required to register with BSA, take BSA Youth Protection Training (good for 2 years), and complete the California AB 506 training and associated LiveScan fingerprinting (good for 4 years). See also our Adult Participation Policy. We also have volunteer roles that do not have contact with the kids, and that do not require registration or training. But the most fun roles require registration. 🙂 For more detailed information, see How to Register with BSA and Get Trained.
. - Once you’re all registered with the National organization, you should register with our Troop782.org website. Ideally, you should have one email address per user, and you and your scout should each have their own account, but you don’t have to. It is helpful if we know which scout goes with which adult.
You need to do this so you can log in to sign up for campouts and events, see/post pictures, etc.
. - Troop dues pay for things like merit badges, rank badges, and other awards. The troop dues are heavily supplemented by our annual Greenery fundraiser, which is how we keep dues low.
. - While you’re still working on paperwork, it’s a good idea to complete the Annual Health and Medical Record. This form consists of sections A, B, and C. Most events only require A and B, but if you’re going to your annual physical, take C along (and email it to your physician) so you have it done. The form is good for a year and we must have a copy of sections A and B for your scout to be able to go on campouts. Section C is required for Summer Camp, Philmont, and any other major event lasting longer than 72h.
Here is a resource to help you with medical forms: How to Do Medical Forms
. - You probably want a uniform sooner than later. It’s a great idea to try it on in person, so head down to the San Diego Scout Shop at 1207 Upas Street, San Diego, CA 92103. This is also where Council Headquarters is located.
New Scouts receive the following from the troop when they are registered and attend in full Class A uniform:
Epaulets: green
Neckerchief: 782 G uses the red ones, 782 B uses the green ones.
Neckerchief slide: 782 B uses the gray metal one, 782 G uses a shiny one; you can make or use almost anything for a slide (except cub scout slides)
Here is the Class A uniform list. You can get all of these at the Scout Shop:
Tan shirt
Green pants or shorts. Many scouts like the switchback uniform pant that can convert between long and short.
Green belt
Patches: the tan with the numeral embroidered in green version of numerals 7, 8, and 2, the San Diego Imperial Council shoulder patch, World Crest Scout Emblem, 1910 World Crest Ring (optional)
Green scout socks
Merit Badge Sash (eventually; not needed until you have merit badges)
Hat: optional. The green ballcap style is most common; you can also get a wide brim one for better sun protection.
Scout Handbook: scroll down for more about that.
Scout Handbook Cover: scroll down for more about that.
The Scout Shop offers sewing for an additional fee, and some uniform shirts are partially pre-sewn.
If you want to do your own sewing and save the sewing charges, you can ask to buy a blank shirt and buy the patches separately. There is a basic hand sewing tutorial here.
DON’T GLUE. Glue leaves residue that doesn’t wash out, and makes it hard to change patches.
Velcro is an option, but be sure to get the super strong industrial kind unless you like replacing patches.
If you already know your sizes, etc, you can also order your uniform online, and also order stuff for pickup from the Scout Shop.
What you buy from the Scout Shop is your Class A uniform. Your Class B uniform is the Troop 782 tee shirt each scout gets for free when they join. If you need another size or other shirts for adults/family members, you can buy those from the troop. Ask at a meeting and we’ll get you set up.
. - While you’re in the Scout Shop, be sure to pick up a copy of the Handbook. They publish the same book with two covers, and different pictures:
The Scouts BSA Handbook for Girls
The Scouts BSA Handbook for Boys
Optional, but it is HIGHLY recommended to also buy a fabric Handbook Cover. They have a couple of different designs, but whatever you do get a new sharpie and PUT YOUR NAME ON IT. The Handbook Cover is also a great place to stash your various important pieces of paper you don’t want to lose (Totin’ Chip and Firem’n Chit come to mind…), plus any new patches that aren’t sewn on yet, etc. Plus a pen! Scouts use the same book throughout their Scouting career, and the cover can help keep it from falling apart.
. - Once you’ve jumped through all of those hoops, and your scout is happily attending meetings and learning knots, you’ll need to get familiar with Scoutbook so you can help your scout set up their account. Ask one of the adult leaders, they’ll point you toward an adult who knows it well and who is happy to help you. 🙂
Scoutbook is the digital system that helps scouts track advancement through the ranks, track what they’ve done, safely connect with Merit Badge Counselors who can sign off on the work done, and enable a safe way to email. It’s also got a calendar where we try to also post our Calendar events (if there is ever a conflict, look at troop782.org/events !).
. - Do you have skills that you want to share with the scouts and/or the troop? Got all of your training and registration done and want some fun in exchange for all that work? Tell us what you want to do!
. - What else do I need? The troop has a lot of camping equipment for scouts to use. When you start going on campouts and hikes, you will need to have your own Ten Essentials. See How to Assemble Your Ten Essentials for more information.
Anything I forgot? Send a note with your question: https://troop782.org/contact/
Updated 9 Apr 2024