FAQs

This page attempts to answer questions regarding the unique nature of Troop 2215. For general boy scouting questions the Resources page and numerous other links are provided. For the best answers to any questions we invite you to contact us personally.

Is Troop 2215 really an all home schooling troop?

Yes. The troop obtained its first charter with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in 2007 after a survey of homeschooling families in the northern Virginia area revealed enough interest to warrant starting such a troop. Although the reasons for home schooling are numerous and as unique as the personalities of our children, several families demonstrated a concern for the political correctness in our increasingly secular society and its impact on the goals they had for home schooling and raising young men. Many expressed an interest in finding a scout troop that would complement Christian spiritual training provided at home. Most were interested in finding a like-minded community in which to experience the adventure scouting offers boys. Perspectives are important. We do not consider the troop to be “exclusive” but rather “inclusive” because it offers scouting to boys from families who had previously opted out for these and other personal reasons.

If a home school boy enters the troop and later enters public or private school does he have to leave the troop?

No. It is anticipated that family circumstances and educational experiences available to a Scout might find departing from home schooling to be in his best interest. We simply require that upon joining the troop the boy be home schooling.

Is the troop chartered to or otherwise affiliated with the Springfield Church of Christ?

“The Friends of Troop 2215” is our charter organization and it is composed of the families of the Scouts in the troop. One of the responsibilities of a charter organization is to provide an appropriate meeting place for the troop. Representatives of the charter organization approached the Springfield Church of Christ with a request to meet in its building. The congregation generously granted the request and we have enjoyed meeting there ever since. In appreciation for this, the troop received permission from its District leaders to donate the contributions it receives from its annual Scouting for Food drive to the Springfield Church of Christ’s food pantry. Additionally, the troop performs periodic maintenance to the churches property on scheduled community service days.

Where and when does the troop meeti?

We meet at 7512 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, Virginia each Tuesday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. But don’t set you clock by these times. Scouts and their families have been known to spontaneously hang out after meetings. There is just something about home schooling and schedules!

How often does the troop go camping?

Monthly, according to the calendar arranged by the Scout leaders. We also attend summer camp one week each summer. Monthly camp outs find us leaving early Friday afternoons to return around mid day Sunday. One of the blessings of home schooling is not having to wait for school to be out on Friday. We attempt to beat traffic out of the city and strive to have camp set up before it gets dark. For a better look at and feel for what we do on camp outs please visit the PHOTO section of this site.

Besides permitting early departures for camp outs, has being a home schooling troop provided any other benefits to the Scouts?

Absolutely! We have been blessed with so many unique opportunities because of our “flexible” family schedules that at times we find ourselves having to pick and choose between them. We have been invited to provide color guards and/or escorts to:

• Two Trust for the National Mall’s annual fund raising luncheons

• The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Annual Banquet and Auction (a formal affair where the Scouts met leaders in government and executives from business)

• A Major League Baseball game (Nationals vs Phillies)

• The BSA Salute to the Military (another formal dinner where the Scouts met military leaders and senior scout officials)

• The Unveiling Ceremony for the BSA Centennial Commemorative Stamp at the National Postal Museum

• The National Marine Corps Museum Dedication Ceremony

Okay, home schooling benefits scouting but is there anything that scouting provides that may complement home schooling?

We believe so. If as a homeschooler you have ever been tempted to answer the question “Aren’t you worried about socialization” with “Yes, that’s why we home school”, please consider this:

• Troop 2215 strives to maintain a wholesome atmosphere where like-minded families encourage their sons to live according to the Scout Oath and Scout Law. The “Esprit” found in a troop of boys who share home schooling as a common denominator is evident as they work on developing Character, Citizenship and Fitness.

• Merit Badges are offered in a well structured unit study format many of which maybe integrated with home schooling curriculums.

• You may leave it up to the Scoutmasters to clean up after safe fire building and word carving instruction.

If you have not done so, please continue your tour of this site by visiting the Introduction and PHOTO pages of our site. For other information not contained here you may contact us directly.