Scout-led, patrol-powered, and outdoors in every season. Here's what makes our troop tick — and answers to the questions new Scouts and parents ask most.
You'll learn to camp and live comfortably in the outdoors by actually doing it, out in the woods. Our troop does self-reliant camping all year round — you become a proficient camper and woodsman through real experience, not lectures.
The troop is made up of patrols of five to eight Scouts that operate as independently as possible. Each patrol elects its own Patrol Leader and Assistant, and the troop elects a Senior Patrol Leader who runs the meetings. The Patrol Leaders' Council plans the entire annual program — campouts, meeting themes, all of it. Our experienced adult leaders are there when you need help, but the program belongs to the Scouts.
The founder of Scouting used camping as the vehicle to reach the goals of the movement: character building, citizenship, physical and mental fitness, and leadership. No other activity has proven better at achieving them. Troop 555 operates a solid, year-round outdoor program true to the original intent of Scouting.
Most Mondays, 7:00–8:45 PM, at Timberland Bible Church on State Road 23 in Granger. There's generally no meeting after a weekend campout or major event. Meetings prepare the patrols for upcoming activities, so regular attendance matters — Scouts who'll miss a meeting let their patrol leader know and catch up on what they missed.
The Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC) — the Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders, and the Senior Patrol Leader — plans the annual program, campout themes, and meeting objectives. The result is one of the most active Scouting programs in the area.
You'll benefit from experienced adult leadership: the Scoutmaster and Assistants bring deep knowledge of camping and guide Scouts toward good decisions while upholding the principles of Scouting — a leadership tradition in this troop going back to 1970. The history page tells that story.
Direct participation isn't required, but help on the committee, with transportation, or at special functions is greatly appreciated — adult support "behind the scenes" is the backbone of a successful troop. Most important of all is supporting your Scout in their Scouting life.
No tent needed — all major equipment (tents, axes, lanterns, cooking gear, utensils) is furnished by the troop.
There's a one-time joining fee that covers your Scout handbook, neckerchief, uniform patches, and a Class B T-shirt; small weekly dues that take care of your annual registration renewal; and a per-campout fee for the weekend's food and cracker barrel. Contact us for the current amounts.
Email us to arrange a visit to a troop meeting, no obligation. We'll have you sit in with a patrol and see what Scouting is all about.
Advancement here is Scout-led, like everything else. A Scout plans their own route, sets their own goals, and earns every step through personal initiative — not because a parent or leader marched them through requirements. That's where the pride and self-confidence come from.
Patrol leaders pass Scouts on requirements — Scouts teaching Scouts. Focus here first: a true First Class Scout can build a fire in any weather, cook for a patrol, navigate with map and compass, and handle first aid.
Over 100 fields of study, each earned by contacting and working with an adult counselor directly — building responsibility and confidence along the way. Camping, cooking, and pioneering are counseled within the troop as part of our regular program.
For each rank, the Scout meets with the Scoutmaster, then contacts the advancement chair to request a board of review. Scout spirit, participation, service, and leadership all count.
Many of our Scouts reach Eagle — but our real goal is bigger: truly first-class Scouts, competent in the woods, committed to service, and ready to lead.
A former Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Purdue graduate, Gene went through Scouting right here as a member of Troop 555 — Bat Patrol leader, then Senior Patrol Leader, then Eagle Scout. He lives in Granger today and brings mechanical, woodworking, and practical outdoor skills to the Scouts with a friendly manner — and high expectations that every Scout gets as much out of Scouting as he did. As a Scout, he even built the troop's famous 24-foot climbing wall.
The best way to understand Troop 555 is to spend a Monday evening with us. Visitors are always welcome.
Arrange a Visit