How long has T290 been around?
T290 has been continuously meeting in Almaden Valley for more than 30 years (or so we have it on good authority.)
Who is T290’s sponsoring organization?
T290 is sponsored by the Almaden Rotary. We also have very close ties with and are partially supported by the Cupertino Host Lions Club.
How much does it cost to join T290?
Zero. Nothing. Nada. Zip. It cost’s nothing to join T290. Registration is paid for by our sponsoring organization. However, “Boy’s Life” subscriptions are paid by the Scout.
Does T290 charge dues? If so, how much?
Well, sort of. T290 has not charged dues in recent memory. We have had monthly “recycling” meetings at which Scouts have brought cans and plastic bottles. The proceeds have been used by the troop. A couple of years ago, we combined the concept of dues with recycling and began "charging” 15 aluminum cans (that’s about 1/2 pound or about $0.50 worth) per meeting “dues”. The idea here is that we want to include the Scouts in on the support of the Troop, and, it’s easy for the Scout to get fifty cents or a buck from Mom or Dad on meeting night, but he has to put a little effort in to bringing cans.
Besides “dues”, how is T290 funded?
Again, Troop registration is paid for by our sponsoring organization, the Almaden Rotary Club. We also receive additional generous contributions from the Rotary Club and the Cupertino Host Lions Club for special outings, such as Pete’s Gun Club and the biannual Loon Lake Summer Camp (also known as Camp No Sierra). In return, the Troop is occasionally asked to do service projects with these organizations. These service projects include a yearly Fish-a-Thon with disabled people, an occasional vacant lot clean-up, and helping these organizations out at the Art and Wine Festival and the Charlie Weidermeyer High School All-Star football game. In addition, the Troop participates in an E-Scrip that is returning money to the Troop.
How often and when does T290 meet?
T290 Troop meets weekly during school months on Monday nights from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM. When a Monday night is a holiday, the meetings are generally held on Tuesday night instead. The meeting day may change from year to year due to the availability of the meeting place or to accomodate conflicts with the adult leadership. Meeting night changes are generally well considered and well communicated before the beginning of the school year. Also, the Troop Leadership (SPL, ASPL’s, PL’s, and other elected leadership) meet with the Scout Master, Troop Committee Chair, and Assistant Scout Masters a few times through the year to plan troop meetings and other activities.
In addition, the Troop Committee and Parents meet a couple of times a quarter on the troop meeting night to discuss troop business and any concerns that anybody may have. The troop does not meet on the same night as a Parents' meeting.
Finally, the Troop Committee and Parents plan a couple of Parent Social outings a year. These include things like a bar-b-que, or a holiday party.
How many outings does T290 go on?
We try to give all Scouts the opportunity to go on an outing a month. Sometimes we plan two outings in a month; one Venture outing for the older and more experienced Scouts and one regular outing for the younger Scouts. Regular outings give the younger Scouts the experience and skills they need for rank advancement and include things like car camps or short backpacks, snow camping, or overnighters on the Pompanito or at Battery Alexander. Venture outings keep the experienced Scouts challenged and include things like long (multi-day) backpacks, rock climbing, caving, or half-doming.
What kind of parental involvement is expected?
The Troop Committee and Parents expect that at least one Parent will attend the Parents’ meeting. The Troop Committee chair does his best to keep this meeting between 60 min and 90 min. In addition, expect to help out on an outing or two a year or lead a merit badge session for a merit badge in which you have expertise. And, plan on being a member of the Troop Committee (Troop Committee Chair, Scout Master, Assistant Scout Master(s), Treasurer, Secretary, Outings Coordinator, Scrip Fund Chair) sometime during your son’s Scouting experience.