- Youth-led: Unlike the Cub Scout program for younger youth, the Scouts BSA troops are youth-led. Scouts elect their Troop leadership and Patrol Leaders twice during the year. These officers meet as a Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) once a month to make decisions regarding upcoming activities and assign duties for the Troop’s youth leaders. Trained adults (Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters) serve as advisors, sign off on rank advancement requirements, act as safety-watchdogs and, of course, serve as drivers. By regulation, there are always at least two trained adults at all Scout events, and Troops 555 / 1555 usually has more. Once a year, at the Annual Planning Conference, the Troops plan ahead for the upcoming year's schedule of outings, fundraisers, and other events.
- Meetings: The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) starts off each weekly meeting by calling for the presentation of the colors and pledge of allegiance, followed by reciting the Scout Oath and the Scout Law, and then announcements. Next is Skills Instruction, where Patrols can take a turn providing instruction on a particular topic or there may be a guest speaker. Patrols then meet at separate tables to plan the next outing (menu, gear list, and activities). There is game time, or interpatrol activity, which is often outdoors (even in the dark and the snow). There is always time for scouts to work on rank advancement requirements or merit badges before the SPL ends the meeting by calling all who are present to attention to retire the colors, and the meeting ends.
- Court of Honor: A Court of Honor is held quarterly for recognition and presentation of advancement and other awards to Scouts and Scouters. Rank Badges and Merit Badges are presented at Courts of Honor and the Troop Junior Leaders are sworn in during these meetings. The Red and Green Banquet is held annually to include all members of the family and present special awards. Full uniforms are always worn to these events.
- Service Projects: Duty to others is one of the key points of the Scout Oath. As such, service hours are required for rank advancement, culminating in an Eagle Service Project. The troop also participates in service projects, helping reinforce the scout slogan of "Do a good turn daily."
- Fund Raising: Scouts participate in several fundraising events throughout the year. These include pancake breakfasts after Sunday masses, popcorn sales, wreath sales, and dine to donate. Funds are split between the Troop and individual accounts for the scouts who participated in the fundraiser. The funds for the troop support ongoing overhead costs including badges and awards, whereas the funds for the scouts are used to support their individual expenses for outings.
