Our troop does activities like climbing, camping, canoeing, dog sledding, snowshoeing, swimming, and more!
We also have regular weekly meetings where we prepare for our activities. If you join our troop you can run for leadership positions and influence where we go and what we do. Our adults don't decide, the Scouts do.
Boy Scout Troop 33 has a tradition of providing excellent experience for boys and young men. It combines outdoor adventure with the skills of leadership and the opportunity to practice citizenship. Troop 33 has an active, vibrant program that challenges its members to do their best.
Meetings are held on Monday evenings, from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., in the basement of First Lutheran Church. We have optional one hour programs running from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
We do our best to offer a full and varied calendar of events that attracts scouts with many interests. Camping, day trips, and other outdoor activities are the foundation of our program but we also enjoy high adventure trips, historical tours, and other special events.
We average about 35-40 Scouts on our roster. The Scouts and Scoutmaster are supported by a Troop Committee that has over 15 adults who volunteer their time for a variety of tasks. Parents are always welcome at any of our events, including campouts and are encouraged to be active in the Troop.
Troop 33 is boy-run and we strive to achieve the three aims of Boy Scouting - growth in moral strength and character, participating citizenship and development of physical, mental and emotional fitness. Scouts plan our yearly calendar and troop activities.
OUR COMMUNITY
DeKalb is the largest city in DeKalb County, located in the center of northern Illinois.
It is a multi-ethnic, cross-cultural community with over 43,000 residents. DeKalb covers approximately eight square miles. Though we enjoy a rural character in the heart of the corn belt, we are home to Illinois' second largest university campus, Northern Illinois University and only an hour away from downtown Chicago.
Troop 33 is located within the Kishwaukee District of the Three Fires Council. The council office is in St Charles, Illinois.
OUR PROGRAM
We have a very active outdoor program. We camp outdoors year-round, and particpate in Kishwaukee District Camporees and Klondike Derby, as well as Camp Lowden summer camp. We typically offer several activities each month, many of which are free.
HIGH ADVENTURE
We have an extensive High Adventure Program for our older Scouts. In the past 10 years (2007-06-05-04-03-02-01-00-99-98), Troop 33's High Adventure Program has included beaches, backpacking, bicycling, boating, caving, canoeing, dog sledding, horseback, kayaking, mountain biking, rafting, skiing, snorkeling, snowshoeing, and much, much, more.
We've traveled from Canada to Central America, from Maine to Hawaii.
Our visits to National Park properties have included: Acadia, Apostle Islands, Arches, Boundary Waters, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Cape Hateras, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Haleakala, Mt Rushmore, Mt St Helens, North Cascades, Olympic, Rocky Mountain, Sunset Crater, Wupatke, Yellowstone, and Zion.
Cities toured have included: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, St Louis, Seattle, Tuscon, and Washington D.C.
Scout have opportunity for travel in Troop 33. 1999-2009 included travel in 40 states, plus international trips; twice to Mexico, four trips to Canada, and travel to Costa Rica and Panama.
COSTS
Our annual troop dues are $36.00 which include registration, insurance, Boys Life magazine, and advancement awards. Scouts pay additionally to participate in the monthly outings, covering the cost of camping permits, food and transportation. Most overnight camping trips are under $20.00. Generally 75% of our activities are free. A week of summer camp is $220-$270. High Adventure trips vary in cost.
FUNDRAISING
We have several fundraisers where Scouts can earn money. Our only product sale is popcorn. Most other fundraisers are food booths conducted at festivals. Often boys can earn their way through Scouting by participating in fundraising activities.
EQUIPMENT
Troop 33 owns tents, cooking equipment, canoes, and a fleet of trailers. Scout only need a uniform shirt, sleeping bag, eating utensils, and extra clothes.
KEY ADULT LEADERS
Chartered Organization Represenative:
Bob Snow
Bob earned the Eagle Scout Award in 1964 as a member of Troop 33. He is a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow and in the past has served as Aquatics Director at Chin-Be-Gota Scout Reservaion and Camp Director at Camp Big Timber. Bob has been continuously registered with Troop 33 since 1961. He works at Northern Illinois University in the College of Law.
Committee Chairman:
Kevin McArtor
Kevin joined the troop as a parent of two scouts. He was formerly Cubmaster of Pack 123 in Malta. He has attended Camp Lowden for summer camp during the past two years. He works at Resource Bank and also owns Jonomac Orchard in Malta.
Scoutmaster:
Cliff Golden
Cliff joined Troop 33 in 1965. He served as an Assistant Scoutmaster from 1972 until 1976 when he became Scoutmaster. He is a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow and in the past served as Field Sports Director at Chin-Be-Gota Scout Reservation. He has made 9 trips to Philmont Scout Ranch plus dozens of other high adventure trips. During his tenure as Scoutmaster his Scout have traveled to 48 states and 19 foreign countries, with more than 50 Scouts earning the Eagle Award. He is the recipient of the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver Award. He works at Northern Illinois University in Founders Memorial Library.
OUR HISTORY
Troop 3 was chartered in 1925 with the DeKalb County Council. In 1928 Chief Shabbona Council was formed and our number was changed from Troop 3 to Troop 33. There was a lapse in official charter between 1946 and 1951. Troop 33 had a cabin north of DeKalb which they often camped at. Summer camp took place at Camp Rotary MacQueen until 1966. Scouts participated in National Jamborees and canoe trips at Region 7 Canoe Base near Boulder Jct, Wisconsin. In 1970 Troop 33 began their trips to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. They expanded their high adventure activities beyond Philmont to the Florida Keys and other trips throughout the United States. In 1985 they conducted a 39-day tour of europe. Various Troop 33 high adventure activities have taken Scouts to 49 states and 20 foreign nations. Major service projects took place responding to Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Ike. Troop 33 has been featured in national magazines and in the recent book "Boy Scouts of America: a centennial history".
Group photo from 1935.
NEW SCOUTS
We welcome new members and visitors at any time. For more information, contact any of the leaders on our contact page or visit our Joining Page.
JOINING
Our troop is open to boys who are 11 through 17 years old.
HOW TO JOIN
If you’ve (a) turned 11, (b) completed fifth grade, or (c) earned the Arrow of Light award in Cub Scouting, you can become a Boy Scout.
Many of the Scouts in Troop 33 have been members of Packs 123,131,132,133,134, and 176, but others join without having been Cub Scouts or Webelos. Some of our Scouts join from other troops.
To become a Boy Scout, you’ll need to complete a youth application form. This is available from the Scoutmaster at a Monday night troop meeting.
We invite you to get a better sense for Troop 33 by attending a meeting or two, and possibly joining us on one of our monthly outings. Click here to contact us about joining.
