Troop 444 Scouts Honored, Wins 2nd Overall at Camporee 2010
Troop 444 scouts Josh Raynes and Chris Rogers were honored Sunday, January 24th, at Arapaho United Methodist Church in Richardson, TX by receiving the Heroism Award from BSA. See the following links for details:
Dallas Morning News: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-scoutheroes_25met.ART0.State.Edition1.4bc261b.html
WFAA, Channel 8: http://www.wfaa.com/community/Dallas-Scouts-honored-for-heroism-82569282.html
LEADERSHIP: Our older boys and our Scoutmasters train emerging leaders using the Boy Scout approved curriculum for use within the Troop. Boys lead this Troop—they plan and run their own meetings and decide on troop activities. Experienced adult Scouters motivate, mentor and oversee the boys, ensuring they safely develop skills and gain knowledge that will last them a lifetime.
We also encourage boys to experience higher levels of Boy Scout training.
REGULAR MEETINGS: Troop 444 meets most Mondays during the school year from 7:30-8:30 PM at our chartering organization, Arapaho United Methodist Church, 1400 W. Arapaho Rd. Richardson.
Interested in a “Troop 444 Test Drive”?
Want more information?
Visit one of our regular Monday Troop meetings.
Or please feel free to email or call the Scoutmaster or Camping Program Coordinator:
Scoutmaster—Jay Downs— jdowns@downsstanford.com, (214) 704-2228
Camping Program Coordinator—Ben Witt - bwitt@nicolandassoc.com, (214) 636-9521
* Left Picture: March 2010, the Troop attended Camporee at Camp Cherokee. The scouts won 2nd place overall and took home the Golden Eagle Trophy. The troop also hosted Den 12 from Pack 1077. The Webelos won several ribbons at the event.
Troop fundraisers: The boys sell Boy Scout popcorn and Christmas greenery. Some years we have an adult leader willing to support boys selling Scout Show tickets. What each boy earns goes to his individual Scout account, so boys can pay all or part of their own way. We cannot rule out additional fund-raising for the Troop’s benefit, but currently we do not have a reason to do any.
Cost: Annual dues are $110, except that first year Scouts pay $55. Boys need their own uniform and personal camping gear. (No tent or cooking gear—the Troop provides.) Monthly campouts require $10-$15 for food. Summer camp is $300.00
We have a few “experienced” uniform pieces for sale cheap.
MISSION/ VISION OF TROOP 444, BSA
Our mission is to help boys learn, develop and grow in a safe, caring environment and to help families bring up moral, civic-minded leaders.
We will place the well-being of the boys ahead of any other considerations and we will respect the needs of our constituent families at all times.
[Our Troop Committee operates under 
Bylaws.]
Troop 444, BSA
Sponsored by
Arapaho United Methodist Church
Coit & Arapaho Roads
Richardson, Texas 75080
Monthly campouts (compatible with busy family schedules): We camp monthly Sept-Nov. and Jan.-May. Campouts generally depart Saturday morning around 8 AM and return Sunday afternoon around 1 PM. Fishing, swimming, climbing, hiking, bicycling, geocaching and Capture the Flag are typical themes.
Have you ever been “Blobbed”? At Summer Camp, a Scout may be!
In early June, Troop 444 spends a week at Summer Camp, at Circle 10 camps (Constantin or Cherokee). Fun away from Mom and Dad is in order, with a healthy curriculum of rank advancement and Merit Badge classes.
In 2007, our raft (*Below with crew) was one of only three to finish the raft race intact. 
There is plenty of unscheduled time for boys to kick back in camp or hang out with buddies, as well.
High Adventure: The Troop has a High Adventure trip every summer (sometimes two). As often as we win the Philmont lottery, we have a Philmont trek. Summer 2008 our trip was to Packard High Adventure Base near Poncha Springs, Colorado, for white-water rafting on the Arkansas River and summiting a “14’er” (14,000 ft. peak).
Summer easy living, winter extras: In summer the Troop arranges casual fun activities that boys enjoy once or twice a month such as a Roughriders baseball game in Frisco, Whirly Ball or Laser Tag.
We have a day outing in December, going orienteering with the North Texas Orienteering Association or climbing at an indoor climbing venue, for example. We also go to Winter Camp (five days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve) when there is enough interest.
Service projects: We regularly participate in Scouting for Food. In December 2007, we had great attendance in a service project at the Network of Community Ministries food pantry. We sorted about a ton (for real!) of canned goods. We also provide manpower for AUMC events on an ad hoc basis.