What is Scouting America Troop 653?

Updated

Scouting America Troop 653 is a local Scouting troop whose website (troop653.com) serves as an introduction to the unit — who it's for, how it's run, and what it does. The site is aimed at prospective youth members and their families in the area: it presents the troop's youth-led leadership approach, its outdoor activities, and the path to Eagle Scout, and it invites anyone interested to attend a meeting without an invitation.

What the site tells you about the troop

The homepage is organized around a few core messages:

  • "Come Be a Part of the Fun!" — an open invitation to join or visit.
  • Leadership — the site describes the Patrol Method and a "Youth Led approach," framing leadership as something learned by doing rather than taught in the abstract.
  • Activities — campouts and backpacking, bicycling, sailing, and canoeing are named as examples, presented as ways to build life skills and expose youth to new adventures.
  • Achieving Eagle — the site acknowledges that not everyone reaches the rank of Eagle Scout, but calls it "monumental" for those who do.
  • "Leadership, Self-Reliance, Lifelong Friendships..." — the troop's stated value proposition for joining.

The motto "Be Prepared" appears in the site's title and description, consistent with standard Scouting branding.

Meeting details and how to get involved

According to the site, Troop 653 meets almost every Monday night at Red Mountain United Methodist Church, located just north on Power at McDowell Road.

No invitation is needed to attend. The site directs anyone with questions to a "Contact Us" page rather than publishing a phone number or email address directly on the homepage.

Who this page is useful for

If you are... The site gives you...
A parent considering Scouting for your child Meeting time and location, plus an open invitation to visit
A prospective youth member A sense of the activities (camping, cycling, sailing, canoeing) and the youth-led structure
Someone curious about Eagle Scout A brief acknowledgment of the rank and its significance
Looking for a specific contact person Only a "Contact Us" link — no direct contact details on the homepage

What the site does not cover

The homepage is an overview, not a handbook. It does not list dues, fees, or any payment information; it does not state age or eligibility requirements; and it does not provide a calendar, registration form, or named adult leaders. For any of those specifics, the site's own guidance is to use the Contact Us page or simply show up at a Monday meeting.