Troop 85’s slogan says a lot about who we are:

“AIM HIGH WITH TROOP 85”

Troop 85 is blessed to be sponsored by St. Paul the Apostle Church in Westerville, Ohio.   The church community is extremely supportive of the Scouting program and considers it part of their Youth Ministry Program.  Father Klinger says it best:

“… a critical cornerstone of our Parish family continues to be the valued    services provided to our young people by the Scouting program.”

“Building on a philosophy of preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them proper life-values, the Scouting program helps immeasurably in shaping the youth of our Parish.” 

Troop 85’s success is also demonstrated by the fact that 2007 will be its 39th year of continuous existence.  This success is built also upon a number of very important factors.  We have a very supportive and involved group of parents.  Our parents typically volunteer their services on a variety of levels – so that everyone can be involved to the level they can contribute.  We have a strong boy-lead leadership program.  At a minimum, our Patrol Leader Council meets monthly, where the youth of the troop chart its course.   Troop 85’s program is based on a boy-lead troop; we meet weekly, have monthly camping trips, and in the course of the year participate in a number of service projects for the Westerville and Church Communities.   Each scout also establishes his own Individual Scout Account (ISA); this is his own “bank account” that the troop maintains for him and he raises funds for via troop fundraisers.  Each scout can then use his account to support (or defer) the cost of his scouting activities.  The Troop attends a 1-week BSA resident camp every year; where scouts get to know each other, work on scouting skills and merit badges, and JUST HAVE FUN.  We also have a yearly high adventure trip – typically backpacking at Philmont in New Mexico, canoeing at Northern Tiers in Minnesota/Canada, or participating in various water related activities at Sea Base in the Florida Keys. 

Each scout in Troop 85 moves through the ranks at his own pace.  This provides the scout the opportunity (with the Troop’s encouragement) to fully partake in non- scouting activities.  Many of our scouts are involved in sports, band, theater productions, jobs, other youth groups…. not to mention school !!!

We are also fortunate to have ample troop resources to fund numerous activities.  A boy joining Troop 85 only has to worry about his personal gear (sleeping bag and pad, mess kit, etc.), and sometimes even these items can be borrowed.  He only needs to bring with him the SCOUTING SPIRIT; and a willingness to LEARN and have FUN !!!

Troop 85 will typically range between 40 and 70 scouts.  It is composed for boys from a variety of backgrounds, religions and experiences.  Any boy with or without any previous scouting experience, between the ages of 11 and 18 is welcomed into Troop 85.  Please feel free to contact us.