Once a year (typically in September), the Troop conducts a planning conference where the Scouts brainstorm activities they’d like to participate in for the upcoming calendar year.

Before the Meeting

In advance of the meeting, Scouts are encouraged to think about activities for the upcoming year.  This may include reflecting on the fun activities they have already done during their Scouting adventure or talking with their friends and family to get other unique ideas.

During the Meeting

The meeting starts by reviewing the current year’s calendar of events and then conducting a brainstorming session where Scouts and adults can throw out any ideas for events that the Troop could do in the upcoming year.  After brainstorming, the Troop leaders review the ideas to:

• Remove ideas that are unrealistic or prohibited by the Guide to Safe Scouting,
• Separate the ideas into activities suitable for a weekly Troop meeting and those better suited for a weekend or longer.
• Group similar ideas together 

The Troop then uses this information to define a rough schedule for the year; assigning an activity to each month.

After the Meeting

Once the Scouts have set the rough schedule of activities for the upcoming year, the Troop Committee and parents meet to discuss how to make the event a reality.  This includes helping the Scouts to research the event, making reservations, and coordinating logistics.