About Us
We are Troop 321 based in Mission Viejo, California and chartered by the Scouting Fun Foundation.
Troop 321 weekly meetings are held each Wednesday from 7:30pm to 9:00pm at Del Cerro Elementary School (in the MPR).
Our nondenominational boy-lead troop offers a great program for boys in grade 5 through age 18 and new scouts can join at any time. We currently have almost 40 scouts in our Troop as well as many great parents who volunteer to guide the Scouts in leadership roles. Troop 321 takes pride in being a well-rounded troop that offers a wide variety of opportunities for its scouts.
Our troop focus is being well rounded. We do many fun and exciting activities all year long. We offer opportunities to camp every month and keep our calendar full of outings and events that the scouts choose. From community service projects, hiking, white water rafting, high ropes course, to fun meetings, summer camp, bowling, and escape rooms this troop has something for everyone! Want to see our scouts in action? Visit our Facebook page here.
When a new scout joins, they start working on earning the first rank of “Scout” by following the requirements outlined in the Scout Handbook. These requirements start basic such as learning the scout oath and motto and as a scout advances through higher ranks they will learn additional skills from first aid, cooking, camping skills, community service and more.
Our newest scouts receive extra help in getting started in the scouting program. In troop 321 they are put into the FCE (First Class Emphasis) group. This group meets a half hour before regular troop meetings and helps our scouts fast-track through the first 4 ranks in scouting: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class. This focused group fosters a love for scouting and allows our newest scouts to form strong bonds with their troop. More information about our FCE group can be found here.
Safety is a huge priority within our Troop. All our leaders and active parents have been background checked and fingerprinted by the state of California and have received over 4 hours of youth protection training in addition to scout leadership training. Parent volunteers play a huge role in our Troop and no scout is left unattended at any function or event. We follow a 2:1 ratio so that no scouts is ever one-on-one at any event.
If you would like to join in the fun with Troop 321, or would like additional information, or even want to attend an upcoming meeting; contact Paul Blanchard, Troop 321’s Scoutmaster, at paulwayneblanchard@gmail.com. We look forward to meeting you!
Troop 321 - FAQ
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How can I get more information about Troop 321?
~ You can contact the Troop’s Committee Chair at mikemctyre@gmail.com to get information about our troop emailed to you. Emails are returned in 1-3 days. You can also attend a Troop meeting to see what Scouting is all about! This is a good place to meet other scouts, have questions answered and jump into the fun activity we have planned!
When can my son join Scouts?
~ The great thing about Scouts is that your child can join AT ANY TIME during the year! We encourage scouts to join in the Fall as the program follows the school year, but new scouts have joined us in Winter or Spring and enjoyed all that our Troop has to offer!
What does a “Boy Lead” troop mean?
~ This means that our Boy Scouts lead everything they do; not the adults. Scouts nominate and elect their own leaders who create the weekly troop meeting agendas, hold the meetings, manage troop supplies and more. The scouts choose what outings and activities the troop does by voting and the adult leaders work hard to make it happen. Adult leadership within the troop is there for support and guidance. They keep the activities safe, functional and assist with teaching skills. They also take the activities the scouts want to do and help to make it happen. For example if scouts want to go white water river rafting, an adult leader will research appropriate locations, calculate costs, schedule the event and arrange transportation for the event. Additionally, adult leaders keep track of any earned advancements, miles hiked, nights camped and more in our ScoutBook program.
How does the Scouting program work?
~ Every new youth that joins starts at the first rank of “Scout”. They will work on requirements outlined in the Scout Handbook to earn their rank and advance through the program. New scouts are put into our FCE program or First Class Emphasis program which helps integrate new scouts. Click here for more info about FCE. The ranks for scouting are: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. The highest rank is “Eagle” and is one of the most prestigious achievements a youth can make and is recognized nationwide. While earning their ranks, scouts are put into patrols or groups to provide support and teamwork. In addition to earning ranks, Merit Badges are available to earn. These are focused skills that can be earned and there are a wide variety to choose from based on a scout’s interest. Scout rank skills and merit badges can be earned at weekly troop meetings or during scout activities (like camp outs, hikes, trips and more). Every 3 months the troop holds a Court of Honor which is a special troop ceremony that recognizes and awards any achievements made. Want more information about what scouts can earn? Click here.
What is a Patrol?
~ While scouts are working on their rank, they put into “patrols” or groups of peers (roughly 6-8 scouts) who are working on similar requirements. They will come up with a patrol name like “Savage Monkeys” and create a flag and chant. Patrols help foster leadership within, create a sense of camaraderie and help scouts within a patrol problem solve together. When camping patrols will cook, clean and work together as a unit.
What are Merit Badges?
~ Merit Badges are separate from rank advancement requirements. They are earned by themselves and have their own list of requirements that must be met. Scouts find a Merit Badge counselor to help mentor them while earning different Merit Badges. Merit Badges allow scouts to explore various subjects, discover potential career paths or hobbies and gain valuable life skills. These focused skills are earned by scouts by demonstrating a proficiency in a specific skill or area of interest. Merit Badge booklets outline what is required and provides a background on the subject the scout is learning about as well as provides additional resources. Their counselor will meet with them to review and sign off on what they are working on to earn their Merit Badge. There are over 139 different merit badges (including the 14 required to make rank of Eagle Scout) and there are a wide range of topics from: art, archery, chess, digital technology, to engineering, shotgun, journalism, sailing, and much, much more. Merit Badges are not required to earn until rank of Star Scout.
What if my new scout isn't interested in earning merit badges?
~ That is okay! Scouting is about making new friends, learning important skills and HAVING FUN! We only ask that you participate in weekly troop meetings and troop activities. The program is rank appropriate and by attending Troop 321 events your scout will naturally earn what they need to earn their rank and advance in the program. Also, we find that when scouts see their peers being recognized, it encourages them to do their best so they can be rewarded as well! The program starts at an easy to earn level and slowly progresses to include required merit badges at a higher level. This is designed so newer scouts aren’t overwhelmed and the focus is on fun.
What if my scout wants to earn everything!
~ Scouting is flexible! Troop meetings and activities set up opportunities for scouts to earn their requirements; such as a camping trip which can count towards a hike requirement and campfire program requirement. However, scouts can earn more within their rank or additional merit badges at any time with the approval of the Scout Master. Some scouts advance through the program quickly and try to earn all of the 139 merit badges Scouting America offers! It is up to your youth what pace they want to set.
What if we join in the middle of the year, will my scout be able to earn their rank?
~ Our leaders quickly catch up new scouts so that they aren't behind and every month our troop has exciting activities which offer opportunities for scouts earn what they need. The program never stops; new scouts join all the time and start earning what they need right away.
I'm ready to join Troop 321 what do I do next?
~ Click this link which will direct you to the Orange County Scouting America site. Locate our Troop: " Troop 0321 Scouting Fun Foundation" and click the "Apply now" button. This will take you through the prompts for joining our Troop.
I signed up online. What now?
~ An email will be sent to notify us. Then we will send you an email outlining everything you need to know to get started such as: when to attend the next troop meeting, who your point of contact is, what type of uniform to buy and what our next activities will be! We will also give you access to ScoutBook, our troop’s calendar. The most important thing to get started is purchasing your Scout’s Handbook from the Scout Shop located at: 2953 Pullman St, Santa Ana, CA 92705