Scouting America Troop 359

About Us

Troop 359 is one of six Scouting America troops in the City of San Marino, California and is part of the Rose Bowl District of the Greater Los Angeles Area Council. Troop 359 utilizes the patrol method and an outdoor program to provide a platform that challenges our scouts to build their self confidence, self reliance and hone their leadership skills. We also maintain an active merit badge program that provides access to a variety of merit badges. Troop 359 also participates in community service opportunities and conservation projects.

Troop 359 Scouts pursue rank advancement at their own pace. Once they complete the requirements for a particular rank they are responsible for requesting their scoutmaster conferences and Board of Review to demonstrate their mastery of required skills and experiences. In 2022, Troop 359 celebrated our 50th scout to have demonstrated the dedication, service and leadership required to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

Troop 359 meets twice a month on Tuesday nights in the San Marino scout house year round and goes camping once a month. For more information, contact us at troop359@bsa359sm.org.

Scoutmaster Greeting

Welcome to Troop 359, chartered by St. Edmund's Episcopal Church.

We are proud to offer a Scouting program grounded in strong values, service, and leadership development.

The cornerstone of Troop 359 is our commitment to a Scout-led troop. Our youth leaders plan meetings, lead activities, and guide the troop's direction under the mentorship of trained adult leaders. Through this process, Scouts gain meaningful leadership experience, learning responsibility, teamwork, decision-making, and accountability in real and practical ways. Adult leaders play a vital supporting role. Rather than directing the program, adults serve as mentors, advisors, and safety-focused guides-allowing Scouts the space to lead, learn from experience, and grow in confidence.

Through Scouting, Troop 359 strives to develop young people of character through a well- rounded program that emphasizes the outdoors, community service, leadership development, and advancement. Our Scouts participate regularly in camping and outdoor adventures that build skills, confidence, and self-reliance. Service to the church and the broader community is a fundamental expectation, teaching Scouts the importance of helping others and giving back. Leadership development is woven throughout every aspect of the program, as Scouts take on increasing responsibility and learn to lead their peers with integrity. Advancement and recognition provide a framework for goal-setting and personal growth, encouraging Scouts to challenge themselves, celebrate achievements, and take pride in their accomplishments while progressing at their own pace.

Parent involvement and volunteer service are essential to the success of Troop 359. We warmly encourage parents and guardians to support the program by sharing their time, skills, and experience in service to our Scouts. Opportunities for involvement include serving on the troop committee, supporting outings and outdoor activities, assisting with transportation and logistics, and sharing expertise as a merit badge counselor.

We welcome families to learn more about Troop 359. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or for additional information about our program.

Email: Troop359@bsa359sm.org

Yours in Scouting,

Howard Chen

Scoutmaster, Troop 359

Senior Patrol Leader Greeting

Hello and welcome to Troop 359. My name is Riley Chou and I am the Troop’s current Senior Patrol Leader. I am excited to have you join our troop, and look forward to seeing you at events such as meetings, service projects, campouts, and more.

Troop 359 is a scout lead troop which means exactly what it sounds like. The scouts plan events and campouts with minimal adult interference. Throughout the year, scouts will help plan and participate in many activities that will help them grow and learn new skills to be used in and out of scouting. In all my years of scouting,

I feel I have learned lots of new things like how to lead and how to be a better member of the community. I have had lots of fun at different campouts and activities like rock climbing in Joshua Tree National Park and going to Florida Sea Base, and I hope you will get to experience fun activities like those and more in our troop. Thank you for choosing to be a part of Troop 359.

Yours in Scouting,

Riley Chou

Senior Patrol Leader

Page updated

Report abuse