
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, 2nd Class, 1st 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.
Youth Leadership Positions
- Senior Patrol Leader
- Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
- Scribe
- Quatermaster
- Librarian
- Historian
- Chaplain's Aide
- Troop Guide
- Instructor
Patrol Leadership Positions
- Patrol Leader
- Assistant Patrol Leader
- Patrol Quatermaster
Adult Leadership Positions
- Scoutmaster
- Assistant Scoutmaster
- Committee Chair
- Treasurer
- Advancement Chair
- Camping Chair
- Training Chair
- Secretary
- Committee Member
- Merit Badge Counselor
Parents are encouraged to help any way they can and many opportunities are available for them to share their skills. Parents are encouraged to attend the Troop Committee Meetings which are held once per month.