Who we are:
Scouts BSA Troop 697 is a Scout-led, highly active Boy Troop based in Fairfax Station, VA. We are part of the Burke Lake district within the National Capital Area Council (NCAC). The Troop is chartered by Saint Mary of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church, and receives generous support from Knights of Columbus Council 8600. We continue to grow and attract Scouts from the many Cub Scout Packs throughout the area, as well as from the Church, and military families stationed nearby.
In our rich history since 1993, we have guided over 80 boys on their trail to achieving Eagle Scout. We have an outdoor activity each month, more than half a dozen service projects, and annual summer camp plus high adventure options through our Venturing Crew.
Our primary focus is to build character, encourage leadership, and combine educational and fitness activities with lifelong values while having fun!
Have questions, or want to join Troop 697? Email our Scoutmaster through the Contact page.
Our troop meets every Thursday(Except when School is closed), at 7:30 PM at 5605 Vouge Road, Fairfax Station VA, at the Old St Mary’s Hall in Fairfax Station. We hope to see you there!
What we do:
Troop 697 is a highly active troop that does several activities throughout the year, that include the following:
-Throughout Year: Pancake Breakfast
Scouts make pancakes for the church to serve breakfast for needy people
-Summer: Camp Rodney
Camp Rodney is a week long sleepaway camp in Northern Maryland, where Scouts have the opportunity to do several Merit Badges, or, for newer scouts, to participate in the Brownsea Program and learn Scouting Basics.
-Summer: High Adventure
Older Scouts(14 or older) get to go to a predetermined High Adventure camp, which is more challenging than Rodney, but also more rewarding. The 4 High Adventure camps are Northern Tier in Minnesota, Sea Base in the Florida Keys, Summit in West Virginia and Philmont in New Mexico.
-October: Bull Run Campout
In October, the Troop goes to the Bull Run Shooting range to practice firing shotguns, either in the learn to shoot for beginners, or Wobbletrap for more experienced shooters.
-December: Winter Rodney
In the winter, the troop returns to Camp Rodney, and gets to sleep in the adult cabins to shoot rifles, and have a tons of fun!
As a Scout-led troop, the Scouts in the troop provide their feedback on what activities they would be interested in doing over the year. The Scout
leadership (Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Patrol Leaders) meet and use this feedback to select engaging and challenging activities for their troop. Over the past few years, Troop 697 has gone horseback riding, fishing, hiked, shot shotguns, archery and rifles, backpacked, explored caves in the Shenandoah Valley, tubing in the Shenandoah river, and other fun activities