About Us
We are Troop 400, serving North Durham, Bahama and the surrounding area. Our Troop is very active... every month of the year! We camp every month, we have a hike every month and we meet every week. We participate in high adventure treks and the Order of the Arrow. Most importantly, we do all of these things because that is what the scouts in our Troop have chosen to do. The scouts choose the activities, plan the activities and execute those plans, because we are a Scout-Run Troop, in every sense of that term.
Who Can Join
Our Troop is for boys who are 11, or are at least 10 years old and have completed the fifth grade or have earned the Cub Scout Arrow of Light Award, through 17 years old. For youth 10 and under, please visit Pack 400, which is also chartered to Aldersgate UMC.
Our Philosophy
Troop 400 is a Scout-run troop that provides opportunities for growth, learning, and enjoyment for scouts through a non-denominational Scouting Program. We have an active outdoor program and support the neighborhood, local schools, and our Charter Organization. Troop 400 embraces the concept that diverse interests, both inside and outside of Scouting strengthen the Troop overall. There are many opportunities for all Troop 400 scouts to participate in the full range of Scouting activities, including fellowship, outdoor events, and leadership, as well as the pursuit of advancement and merit badges. Each Scout is encouraged, with parental support, to make individual choices regarding his own participation in the various opportunities offered by Scouting and Troop 400.
Annual Planning
Each year in August, youth patrol leaders (along with adult advisers) go on a planning retreat to draw up an outline of activities for the coming year. The result of these meetings is the annual plan which is used to guide our monthly Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC) meeting where the details of the various activities are decided.
Troop Structure
The Troop is divided into several Scout-led Patrols. Each Patrol has an elected Patrol Leader and an Assistant Patrol Leader. The troop as a whole is lead by the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) who is elected by all the Scouts. The Scoutmaster is the adult leader of the Troop and is selected by the Troop committee. His job is to provide adult guidance and leadership to the SPL, and communicate with the Scouts and Troop Committee. The Troop Committee is made up of adult volunteers and is primarily focused on the support of Troop activities, as defined by the Scouts and mentored by the Scoutmaster. The Committee Chair leads the Committee meetings and is the primary point of contact for the Charter Organization.
Charter Organization
Troop 400 is chartered by Aldersgate United Methodist Church which provides us with the meeting facilities for our troop.
Give your son a valuable gift by encouraging him to join Boy Scouting today. The time you invest in him today will make a difference in the person he becomes tomorrow.