Boy Scouts of America ~ Troop 69
Crossroads of America Council
North Star District

Chartering Organization: Traders Point Christian Church (TPCC)
6590 South Indianapolis Road, Whitestown, IN 46075, (317)769-5557.
The church is located near I-65 and Indiana 334.

One of the oldest Troops in Pike Township. Estimated ~ 50 years.

Scoutmaster: Mr. Rusty (John R.) Helms
Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow vigil honor, Firecrafter, Woodbadge C-32-01
Order of the Arrow Lowaneu Allanque Chapter Advisor
Home phone: (317) 291-2711, Work phone: (317) 337-2980
Email: Rusty@HelmsCPA.com

Troop Committee Chairman: Mr. Stanley Sorgen
Order of the Arrow
Home phone; (317) 293-5697, Work phone; (317) 277-9135
Email: SORGEN_STANLEY_G_II@LILLY.com

Troop Meetings: Monday nights at TPCC in "the Point" from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Meetings are held year round, except for various holidays during the year.

Membership: Approximately 40 registered Scouts in the troop.

Adult Scouters: About a dozen adult volunteers help in various roles such as Assistant Scoutmasters, Troop Committee members, or active parents assisting and mentoring the Scouts. Several of our Scouters are Eagle Scouts, and members of the Order of the Arrow and Firecrafter.

Troop Slogan: "Put the "Outing" in Scouting." The Troop goes on a camping related outing every month.

Organization: Like most Boy Scout Troops, Troop 69 is a Scout run organization that uses the patrol method. The Troop is divided into patrols, including a patrol for adult members. New Scouts are placed in a new patrol with Troop Guides (older Scouts) assigned to help mentor the new scouts through their first six months to a year. During that time, the emphasis is to have FUN while the new scouts advance to the rank of First Class. To hold a Troop level office in Troop 69, a Scout has to be First Class, be active in attendance at both meetings and outings, and be elected by fellow Scouts. Once a month, the Patrol Leaders Council (Scouts in Troop level positions, along with the Scoutmaster) meet to plan the troop's meeting programs and outings.

Dues: Troop membership dues are set annually, paid in January. Dues are prorated for Webelos who "cross over" to the Troop later in the year. Dues do not include additional fees collected by the patrols for food for weekend outings. The Troop is blessed with the necessary gear for a variety of outdoor adventures. New scouts need only be concerned about purchase of minimal personal camping equipment.

Special Dates: Three times a year, the Troop conducts a Court of Honor to recognize the achievements of our Scouts. This event is for the entire family. A Court of Honor is held in the Spring (April), after Summer Camp (August), and at the end of the year often held in conjunction with the mid-November Troop Thanksgiving dinner.

Summer Camp: The Troop spends one week each July at Ransburg Scout Reservation on Lake Monroe near Bloomington, Indiana. It provides a great opportunity for the Scouts and Scouters to bond as a team and experience the beauty and fun to be had in the outdoors at this nationally known long-term camp.

Order of the Arrow: Troop 69 is very active in the local chapter of the Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouting's National Honor Society of Campers. Elected by the boys themselves. After an Ordeal Weekend of service, members assist in the promotion of long-term camping and service to Scouting and others. Troop 69's Scouts and Adults are not only members, but serve in leadership positions of the local Lowaneu Allanque (LOA) Chapter of the Jaccos Towne (Formerly Wulakamike) Lodge 21.

Firecrafter: An organization of Friendship, Leadership, and Service. Boys earn their membership exclusively through activities at a long-term Summer Camp. Firecrafter members focus on the summer camp activities of Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts within the Crossroads of America Council. Troop 69 Scouts and Adult leaders are members of Firecrafter, and have served in various leadership positions within the organization, including Ember Chief (youth), Ember Advisor (adult), and Ember Secretary (youth).