About Troop 52
Here you will find many details about the troop and how it operates. Whether you are a prospective scout or parent or an existing member of the troop, this is an ideal place for you to be. We're still in the process of building this area and really appreciate feedback. Please refer to the contact page to let us know of things we can add.
Who Can Join
Anyone in grades 6–12 and interested in camping, hiking, leadership skills, community service, character development, adventures, teamwork and making friends. Previous scouting experience is not required. Both boys and girls are welcome to join. Residents of any town are welcome.
Where We Meet
Hinsdale United Methodist Church 945 S Garfield Street in Hinsdale
We meet from 7:00-8:00 PM Sunday Nights (usually twice a month during the school year)
Monthly Outings
The troop goes on an outing usually every month. Typically for these we leave on Friday evening and return on Sunday. These are usually campouts which include adventures such as sailing, fishing, kayaking, rock climbing or other activities which can help scouts advance in their rank or acquire merit badges.
Quarterly Court of Honor
The troop and families get together once a quarter for a barbecue dinner to recognize rank advancement and merit badge achievement.
Summer camp
Troop 52 attends a week-long summer camp ever year at Camp Tesomas in beautiful Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Scouts sign up for merit badge activities and fulfill them through classes every day for a week.
With about 65 merit badges to choose from, Scouts have equal reason to be cheerful at Tesomas. Merit badge offerings include popular summertime ventures like Archery and Swimming, as well as some unique camp offerings like Moviemaking and Game Design. The camp boasts a fun aquatics area with a water slide, trampoline and inflatable iceberg in crystal-clear water.
The fun continues around the camp with a 60-foot climbing wall and basketball court. Aside from Crystal Lake are boggy areas teeming with wildlife — a perfect place for Scouts studying ecology.
Scouts who want more adventure can choose one of the camp’s “MicroTreks.” These half- and full-day programs allow Scouts to choose from a variety of activities, both on- and off-site, including miniature golf, caving, mountain biking, tubing, zip lining, ATV riding and hiking to waterfalls.
High Adventure Camp
Scouts age 13+ and First Class Rank or higher have the opportunity to go to a National High Adventure Base camp. Troop 52 goes to one of the following four camps each year:
- BSA Sea Base in the Florida Keys
- Summit Bechtel Reserve outdoors in West Virginia
- Philmont Scout Ranch exploring outdoors in New Mexico
- Northern Tier exploring what Minnesota has to offer
National Jamboree
Scouts also have the option of participating in the National Jamboree