Troop 23, Brooklyn, New York, Boy Scouts of America, BSA

Welcome to Troop 23

Since 1910, Troop 23 has been proudly serving the Bay Ridge community, offering over 110 years of leadership, outdoor adventure, and character-building experiences. As one of the oldest Scout Troops in the United States, we have a rich history of guiding young people to become confident, responsible citizens.

Our non-denominational troop reflects the incredible diversity of Brooklyn. We believe in learning from each other, respecting our differences, and embracing the strength that comes from our diverse community.

Troop 23 scouts participate in a wide range of activities—from camping trips to service projects—and in 2021 alone, our scouts contributed over 2,028 hours of community service across 83 events. Our service projects span everything from local cleanups to supporting veterans and other local causes. Learn more about the adventures and service opportunities we offer on our Trips page and community service section.

Our meetings take place every Monday from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Our Lady of Angels Church. The church generously provides us with meeting space and storage for our gear. To explore our troop’s long-standing history and values, visit the About Us page.

What is Scouting?

Scouting is a worldwide movement that helps young people develop physically, mentally, emotionally, and morally. Founded on the principles of leadership, community service, and outdoor skills, scouting aims to teach values such as integrity, responsibility, and teamwork. The core mission of scouting is to help scouts become self-sufficient, thoughtful, and engaged citizens who are prepared for life’s challenges.

Scouting is built upon the Scout Oath and Scout Law, which emphasize qualities like trustworthiness, loyalty, kindness, and bravery. Every scout commits to living by these values in their daily lives, contributing to their personal growth and strengthening their community.

The Patrol Method, which emphasizes small, youth-led groups, is central to scouting’s structure. It fosters leadership and decision-making skills, allowing scouts to take responsibility for their patrols’ success. To learn more about how Troop 23 implements the Patrol Method and why it’s an important part of a scout’s journey, visit our Patrols page and Patrol Scoring section.

Why Choose Troop 23?

Troop 23 stands out for its commitment to patrol leadership, with scouts learning responsibility and leadership through our Patrol Method. Each scout is a part of a patrol—a smaller, tight-knit group—fostering teamwork and ensuring that every scout has a chance to lead and grow. Our unique Patrol Scoring System encourages friendly competition, motivating scouts to take ownership of their patrol’s success through service, participation, and leadership.

Additionally, we offer robust advancement opportunities, with scouts working toward both rank advancements and merit badges that help develop practical life skills. Our Merit Badge Counselors and supportive adult leaders ensure every scout has the tools they need to reach their goals, from First Class Scout to Eagle Scout.

Troop 23 also has clearly defined procedures to ensure scouts understand their responsibilities, whether it’s for advancement, event participation, or leadership. Scouts and parents can review these processes in our Procedures section, which details the expectations for participation and communication within the troop.

We also engage in a variety of outdoor activities. Whether it’s hiking, camping, canoeing, or service projects, our scouts have the chance to earn awards like the 50 Miler Award while gaining invaluable experiences.

New to Scouting?

If you’re new to scouting or looking to transfer to a new troop, we invite you to join Troop 23. Scouting is more than just camping—it’s about building lifelong skills and friendships. Visit our How to Join page to learn more about how you can become a part of our thriving troop.

For parents and scouts, we recommend exploring our Advancements page to see the many ways scouts can grow, learn, and excel within our troop.

Scouting is a journey of discovery, and Troop 23 is here to help you take those first steps and beyond. To learn more about how scouting can benefit you or your child, visit our What is Scouting? page.