Scoutmaster's Minute

Welcome to Scout Troop 318! Troop 318 serves the youth of Lexington, MO and surrounding rural areas age 11 to 18. We are part of the Blue Elk district in the Heart of America Council and are chartered by the Lexington Lions Club.

Established in 1922, Troop 318 is the oldest Scouting unit in Lexington. Since 1922, Troop 318 has helped 389 young men obtain the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. We have an incredible volunteer staff that is fully trained in their positions and every leader takes Youth Protection Training every two years to ensure that your kids are in safe hands. We want all of our Scouts to have the best experience possible and it is our goal to help prepare them to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. 

If you are interested in volunteering or have a child that is interested in joining, please use the form to the right and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Shawn Meyer
Scoutmaster, Troop 318

Troop 318 was first chartered in 1922 and has since helped over 300 boys earn Eagle Scout. We are part of the Blue Elk District in the Heart of America Council and are sponsored by the Lexington Lions Club.

We work closely with Pack 440 to ensure each Cub Scout is ready for the transition into Scouts, BSA. Pack 440 holds a Crossover Ceremony in which the packs Arrow of Light recipients will crossover into Troop 318. Representatives from Troop 318 will attend the Crossover (Bridging) Ceremony and welcome the Arrow of Light recipients into the Troop.

Our goal is to foster the BSA vision of building our youth into responsible and productive members of the community and to instill in them lifetime values and developing ethical character traits as expressed in the Scout Oath and Law. We encourage our Scouts to be productive members of the community while keeping the fun in scouting.

Meetings

Meetings are held on a regular basis on Wednesday evenings from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the Scout Cabin located next to the basketball courts at College Park just off the Lafayette Regional Hospital parking lot. Regular attendance is expected for all youth who join Troop 318. In the event school is cancelled due to inclement weather, scout meetings may also be cancelled. Parents are expected to arrange transportation for their scouts to and from meetings and events. A calendar listing monthly activities and local scout activities is distributed regularly and updated as changes occur. It is important that this calendar be retained as attendance at scout functions ensures a successful scouting experience.

Camping

Camping has always been central to the scouting experience. Troop 318 makes every effort to have a campout every month. Troop 318 also attends a 9-day Summer Camp at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation in Osceola, MO each summer. Scouts will be able to earn merit badges as well as participate in other activities that may not be available anywhere else.

Advancement

As Scouts in Troop 318, youth will advance through the ranks on their Trail to Eagle. The ranks of Scouts, BSA are Scout, Tenderfoot, 2^nd Class, 1^st Class, Star, Life and Eagle. The Eagle Scout is Scouting's highest award given to a youth member. The leadership of Troop 318 will work alongside the Scout helping him climb the Trail to Eagle.

Organization & Leadership

Troops are organized into patrols and youth leadership. The troop plans their activities including camping, service projects and fundraising under the mentorship of adults.

There are many Youth Leadership positions the scouts serve in to help them develop leadership skills. The top youth leader is the Senior Patrol Leader, who is elected once or twice a year.