What is Boy Scout of America (BSA)
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is the largest Scouting organization in the United States of America and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States with more than 2.4 million youth participants and nearly one million adult volunteers. The BSA was founded in 1910, and since then, more than 110 million Americans have been participants in BSA programs.
The BSA's goal is to train youth in responsible citizenship, character development, and self-reliance through participation in a wide range of outdoor activities, educational programs, and, at older age levels, career-oriented programs in partnership with community organizations. For younger members, the Scout method is part of the program to instill typical Scouting values such as trustworthiness, good citizenship, and outdoors skills, through a variety of activities such as camping, aquatics, and hiking.
Boy Scouts are open to all boys regardless of nationality who are 11 years old, or one who have completed the fifth grade or earned the Arrow of Light Award and is at least 10 years old, but is not yet 18 years old. Younger boys age 6 to 10 can also join Pack 51 for Cub Scouts.
Welcome to the Troop 51
We have created a comprehensive guide document: "Welcome to the Troop 51" for a newly joined scout, that gives you more detail of getting started including How it works, Events and outings, Merit Badges, Advancement, and more. This guide is found at the bottom of this page.
Troop 51 is part of the Boy Scouts of America’s Far East Council. (We are not part of the Scouting Association of Japan, though we sometimes do attend events together). We are organized as a boy led troop using the patrol method. The boys provide the leadership, ideas and energy to run their own program. This allows all boys to develop their leadership and team skills. Over the course of their career, scouts will have ample opportunity to serve in multiple leadership positions. Of course, adults are needed to provide guidance, transportation and ensure a safe environment, but the boys run their own program.
As part of the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 51 operates under the values and goals of the Boy Scout oath and law. Our goal is to use the Boy Scouts to develop our sons into men and leaders of high character and integrity, while having a lot of fun along the way.
We are organized as a boy led troop using the patrol method. This allows all boys to develop their leadership and team skills. Over the course of their career all boys will have ample opportunity to serve in multiple leadership positions. Of course, adults are needed to provide guidance, transportation and ensure a safe environment, but the boys provide the leadership, ideas and energy to run their own program.
What We Do?
Troop 51 is an active, outdoor oriented troop. We go on at least one weekend outing a month and, depending on the season, do many activities including camping, hiking, biking, canoeing, deep water fishing, surfing, white water rafting, skiing, snow camping, sleeping in snow caves. We participate in the Boys Scouts of America Far East Council –Asia East District Activities, summer camps and other FEC events including climbing Mt. Fuji and traveling overseas to Nepal, Mongolia, Philippines and Thailand.
We hold troop meetings Sundays at 5:00 pm at TAC (Tokyo American Club) during the school year, focusing on rank advancements while having fun and development as well as planning for our outings.
We try to make sure all boys have an enjoyable and rewarding experience at all or our activities. We learn new skills, both outdoor and daily life, by working on merit badges and rank advancements. The boys decide what they want to do and how they want to do it.
Many past scouts have commented that scouting with Troop 51 gave them a unique opportunity to get out and see parts of Japan that they otherwise would not have visited. Often it also gives them a little flavor of their home country and a lot of good advice from our resident Japan experts.
Come Join Us!
If you think your son and family would benefit from joining our troop, please contact our recruiting team by e-mail at joinbsa@tokyo51.mytroop.us, or drop by one of our bi-weekly regular meetings (5:00 PM on Sundays at the TAC (Tokyo American Club) B1F Activity Room). Please contact us ahead of time to confirm that we will have a meeting on the date you would like to attend.
Annual Fees
- Scout* JPY 24,000 yen
- Adult leader JPY 3,600 yen
* Annual fee includes fees for BSA, Boy’s Life subscription and Friends of Scouting contribution.
What Else Do You Need?
All scouts need a Scout Handbook and uniform which you can purchase from our supplies coordinator. We are an active, outdoor oriented troop so you will also need a backpack, sleeping bag, other personal camping equipment and the right outdoor clothes. We have lots of experienced scouts who can help you select the right equipment. The troop will supply tents, cooking and other camping equipment.
Access
There are four train stations within walking distance of TAC (Tokyo American Club). Azabu-Juban (8 min), Akabanebashi (10 min), Kamiyacho (11 min), Roppongi ichome (12 min). See the attachment below "TAC map with train stations" for additional help. Parking at TAC is limited and there is a fee.
If you are interested in joining to our troop, please feel free to contact us:
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us:
scoutmaster@tokyo51.mytroop.us
