Troop 39 is a scout lead troop; the scouting adult leaders are there to provide guidance and support.   Most of the teaching is done by example, allowing young men the opportunity to learn from troop leaders, in addition to their parents and teachers.  The troop leaders are examples in an outdoor activity focused environment.

As a result of being one of the oldest troops in the nation, Troop 39 is authorized to wear patch with Chapel Hill, NC instead of the standard council patch.  This ties to troop to its roots and tradition.

The scouts annually choose their schedule and camp-outs.  Troop 39 scouts traditionally choose to overnight in an indoor climbing area to climb all day and sleep over on Saturday.  This offers continuous scout led activity and rewarding physical challenges.

Troop 39 neckerchief patch is a unique tradition representing our history and association with the University of North Carolina, CH.  It is loaned to the scout.  When they receive the Eagle rank, the highest in scouting, they may keep the Neckerchief.

Patrols are the building blocks of a Boy Scout troop. A patrol is a small group of boys who are similar in age, development, and interests. Working together as a team, patrol members share the responsibility for the patrol’s success. They gain confidence by serving in positions of patrol leadership. All patrol members enjoy the friendship, sense of belonging, and achievements of the patrol and of each of its members.

Sports are a great opportunity to get outside and get active with your friends.  The troop frequently plays basketball, football, and other games during trips and selected meetings.  The games provide a release of energy and bonding for the troop.

The troop maintains the UNC Hospital butterfly garden, providing a fun, relaxing and calming distraction for patients

The troop 39 song is a way that the troop shows its spirit and unity. Many troops do not have songs, we sing ours coming home from every trip and its an unofficial requirement to get your first rank to know the song.

Capture the Flag is a traditional outdoor sport played by the Troop 39 scouts on camping trips and during scout meetings.  Scouts are in two teams each have a flag (or other marker) and the objective is to capture the other team’s flag, located at the team’s “base,” and bring it safely back to their own base. Enemy players can be “tagged” by players in their home territory; these players are then out of the game, members of the opposite team, or “in jail”. (One variation of the game includes a “jail” area in addition to the flag on each team’s territory.)

Last Scout meeting of the school year for Troop 39 is a family picnic in Chapel Hill.  All of the scouts and family join to celebrate the scout and family achievements and family services provided by Troop council and adult leaders for the years.