Scouts BSA Troop 717

10/14/2026

Congratulations to our Scouts on achievements recognized tonight!

09/03/2026

TMR Alumni Association NYC Hike - Saturday, 10-3-2026
This Revolutionary War Historical day hike in upper Manhattan is sure to please those who enjoy history, walking outdoors, and cheerful comradery. We plan to meet outside of The Inwood Farm restaurant at 600 West 218th Street, NY, NY. At this establishment you can grab a coffee before we begin. Please meet us around 9:45AM. Start time is 10AM. The hike will visit early Dutch colonial sites and key American Revolutionary War locations such as the Dyckman Farmhouse, Inwood Hill Park, Morris-Jumel Mansion, Fort Washington Park and some gorgeous views. Feel free to message me directly if you’re interested in joining. More details to follow soon. scheibjason@ gmail.com

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

Help Families Find Scouting This Fall — Encourage Every Unit to Refresh Their BeAScout Pin Today!

Before fall Scouting activities take over the calendar, now is a great time to encourage units to refresh their BeAScout pin. Here are four things for units to check:

• Contact info — current phone and email for key contacts
• Meeting location and details — when and where the unit meets
• Website and/or socials — showcase the unit and upcoming events
• Online applications turned “On” — make it easy for youth to join and parents to volunteer

It takes just a few minutes, and instructions are at www.scouting.org/pin.

With the vast majority of unit BeAScout pins not updated in the last two years, it is worth spending a few minutes now to ensure accurate, up-to-date information.

One small update, one big impact!

09/03/2026

Scouts Around the World Are Getting Ready for JOTA-JOTI!
Mark your troop calendar for October 16–18, 2026!
Jamboree on the Air – Jamboree on the Internet (JOTA-JOTI) is the world’s largest digital and radio Scout event, giving Scouts an opportunity to connect with other Scouts around the globe.
Troops can participate in lots of different ways—from amateur radio and online activities to moderated chats and video calls with Scout groups in other countries.
JOTA-JOTI is a great opportunity for Scouts to experience international Scouting without leaving home, while learning about communication, other cultures, friendship and global citizenship.
Now is a good time for troop leaders to start talking with their PLCs about how their troop might participate.
October 16–18, 2026
Explore JOTA-JOTI activities https://www.jotajoti.info/activity-hub
Find Scout groups around the world https://www.jotajoti.info/directory
Start planning now—and this October, help your Scouts discover just how big the worldwide Scouting family really is!

09/03/2026

💻 Introducing the Scouting America Tech Hub

Wondering what’s happening with Scoutbook+, My.Scouting, BeAScout, online registration, ScoutConnect, and Scouting America’s other technology projects?

There’s now one place to follow the changes.

The new Scouting America Tech Hub provides information directly from Scouting America’s National IT Team and Technology Advisory Committee about current projects and the future direction of Scouting technology.

On the Tech Hub, volunteers can find:

📋 Master Project Plan — See what’s being developed and the planned timeline.

❓ FAQs — Find answers to common questions about Scouting’s technology plans.

🔍 BeAScout Redesign — Follow changes to BeAScout and online registration.

🟢 System Status — Check for known system issues and outages.

💬 Discussion Forum — Ask questions and discuss Scouting technology with other Scouters.

For Scouts BSA troop leaders and volunteers, this is a resource worth bookmarking as Scouting America continues its technology transition.

More information and resources will be added as projects move forward.

Visit the Scouting America Tech Hub
https://techhub.scouting.org/

09/03/2026

Update: The recording is now available:

https://techhub.scouting.org/webinars/

Scouting America's Technology Group will host a webinar on Thursday, August 13, at 7:00 p.m. Central Time to provide Scouters with an update on the latest technology tools and upcoming enhancements.

Participants will hear from national volunteers and staff who are leading technology initiatives across Scouting America. The webinar will include updates on Scoutconnect, the new platform serving as the foundation for improvements to BeAScout, Online Registration, and, in the future, My.Scouting and Scoutbook+.

The webinar, "Technology Update – Scoutconnect: What Is Changing This Fall?", will be held via Microsoft Teams. Save the meeting link and join the session to learn about the latest developments and what to expect in the months ahead.

eb61f82c-f9eb-4d33-b991-30e1a261728e@fd9008a0-7846-4989-a4c5-77cfad3f7e4e" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/eb61f82c-f9eb-4d33-b991-30e1a261728e@fd9008a0-7846-4989-a4c5-77cfad3f7e4e

Meanwhile, check out the new Scouting America Tech Hub:

https://www.scouting.org/program-updates/new-scouting-america-tech-hub/

03/03/2026

Don’t walk, RUN to sign up your youth leaders for the Spring NYLT at Durland Scout Reservation.

NYLT transforms good Scouts into great leaders. Participants learn how to lead teams, communicate effectively, plan with purpose, and bring vision back to their unit.

This is how you strengthen your PLC.
This is how you grow stronger youth-led troops.
This is how you build the next generation of leaders.

Weekend 1: March 27–29
Weekend 2: April 10–12

Every strong unit has NYLT-trained youth. Make sure yours does too.

Register Here: https://mycouncil.ghvscouting.org/Event/9174

Registration Deadline is March 6th.

Questions, reach out to Spring NYLT Scoutmaster, Jon Denfeld: [email protected]

03/03/2026

Our delicious Spaghetti Dinner is this Sunday, March 8th! Homemade meatballs & homemade desserts!
Stop by the WSS Fire Dept Hall for a wonderful sit in meal or grab dinner to go. 4-7pm
Thank you for supporting Scouting & assisting the youth of our troop to raise funds for summer camp! ⚜️

03/03/2026

Launch of the Liberty in Action: 250th Anniversary Challenge on March 2

Scouting America is proud to announce the official launch of the new Liberty in Action: 250th Anniversary Challenge, a special program celebrating the values, service, and civic spirit that define our nation and our Scouts.

This is an opportunity for all Scouts and their families in all programs.

Beginning Monday, March 2, Scouts across the country can earn the Liberty in Action 250th Challenge patch by participating in activities that highlight patriotism, community service, responsible citizenship, and an understanding of the principles that shape our democracy. The program empowers Scouts to connect with their communities, learn about the responsibilities of citizenship, and take meaningful action that reflects the ideals of liberty, leadership, and service.

The Liberty in Action 250th Anniversary Challenge gives Scouts a powerful way to deepen their understanding of what it means to contribute to their communities and country. This initiative encourages young people to translate our shared values into actions that make a real difference.

About the Liberty in Action Patch

The Liberty in Action patch can be earned by completing a set of age‑appropriate activities such as:

-- Participating in a community service project
-- Learning about local, state, or national government
-- Exploring historical landmarks or events connected to American liberty
-- Demonstrating good citizenship within their unit, school, or neighborhood

Councils and units may also organize special events throughout the year to support Scouts pursuing this recognition.

The launch of the Liberty in Action 250th Anniversary Challenge reinforces Scouting America’s commitment to preparing young people for lives of leadership, civic responsibility, and purpose. By engaging Scouts in hands‑on learning and service, the program helps cultivate the next generation of informed, active citizens.

More information, including the requirements, can be found here:

https://tinyurl.com/5b7w2a3j

Here is the information for Cub Scouts leaders to utilize the award in their program:

https://tinyurl.com/436jswbr

We will post the link to order the patch when available.