About the Scout Society

Our History. Our Values. Our Promise.

Our Story

The Scout Society currently consists of three Scouting groups: Scouts BSA Family Troop 511, Cub Scout Pack 511, and Venture Crew 591. Together, these groups provide opportunities for youth of different ages to develop leadership, character, citizenship, self-reliance, and outdoor skills through the Scouting program.

Scout Society's Scouting program began with the creation of Cub Scout Pack 511 in May 1992. The Cub Scout program introduced younger Scouts to the fundamentals of Scouting through activities focused on character development, basic Scouting skills, emergency preparedness, crafts, service, and outdoor experiences.

Our Values

  • Leadership – Developing leaders of character
  • Service – Making a positive impact
  • Citizenship – Responsible community members
  • Character – Doing the right thing
  • Fitness – Mind, body, and spirit strong
  • Preparedness – Be ready for life

Our Mascot: Crimson Embers

Scout Society has adopted the phoenix, affectionately known as Crimson Embers, as our mascot. The phoenix is a legendary bird whose story has been told in different forms for centuries. According to legend, as the phoenix reaches the end of its life, it is consumed by flames and reduced to ashes. From those ashes, however, a new phoenix rises - beginning another life while carrying forward the legacy of the one that came before it.

For Scout Society, the phoenix represents much more than rebirth. Crimson Embers symbolizes growth, resilience, perseverance, and the understanding that every ending can become the beginning of something new. These qualities closely reflect the Scouting journey. A young person may enter Scouting knowing very little about camping, leadership, service, or the challenges that lie ahead. Through experience, practice, successes, and even occasional failures, that Scout gradually develops the knowledge, confidence, and character needed to face increasingly difficult challenges.

Crimson Embers, the red and black phoenix mascot of Scout Society

Scout Society Field Journal

Our Story

The Scout Society currently consists of three Scouting groups: Scouts BSA Family Troop 511, Cub Scout Pack 511, and Venture Crew 591. Together, these groups provide opportunities for youth of different ages to develop leadership, character, citizenship, self-reliance, and outdoor skills through the Scouting program.

Scout Society's Scouting program began with the creation of Cub Scout Pack 511 in May 1992. The Cub Scout program introduced younger Scouts to the fundamentals of Scouting through activities focused on character development, basic Scouting skills, emergency preparedness, crafts, service, and outdoor experiences.

As participation grew and Scouts became old enough to continue into the next level of the program, Boy Scout Troop 511 was established in September 1992. The troop expanded upon the skills introduced in Cub Scouts by placing greater emphasis on leadership, self-reliance, outdoor skills, and learning through hands-on experience. Over the years, Troop 511 has participated in a variety of activities, including camping, hiking, backpacking, community service, and Scouting events such as Camporee.

As Scout Society continued to grow, participation soon expanded to include the sisters of its Scouts. In October 1997, Girl Scout Troop 512 was established, providing girls within the Scout Society family with their own opportunity to participate in Scouting. The troop focused on leadership, service, crafts, outdoor activities, and other skills while regularly participating alongside the other Scout Society groups.

The final program to join Scout Society was Venture Crew 591, established in September 2001. The Crew expanded opportunities for older youth by emphasizing high-adventure activities and leadership. Its activities have included backpacking, mountain climbing, kayaking, cycling, and other challenging outdoor experiences.

A significant change in Scout Society's history came as the national Scouting program expanded opportunities for girls to participate in what is now the Scouts BSA program. Beginning in 2019, girls were able to participate in the same Scouts BSA advancement program as boys, including working toward the rank of Eagle Scout.

In response to this change, Scout Society transitioned from its former Girl Scout unit and later operated separate linked Scouts BSA units designated as Troop 511-B and Troop 511-G. These units provided boys and girls with the same advancement program, leadership opportunities, outdoor experiences, and pathway to Eagle Scout while continuing Scout Society's tradition of bringing families together through Scouting.

With the introduction of the Scouts BSA family troop model, Scout Society took another step forward by combining these linked units into a unified Scouts BSA Family Troop 511. Today, boys and girls learn, lead, serve, and participate together as members of Troop 511 while following the same Scouting program and advancement requirements.

Scout Society's programs are part of the Greater Los Angeles Area Council, El Camino Real District, serving families throughout communities including Alhambra, San Gabriel, Temple City, Monterey Park, and Rosemead.

Although Scout Society has evolved considerably since the creation of its first Cub Scout Pack in 1992, its purpose has remained the same. Through Cub Scout Pack 511, Scouts BSA Family Troop 511, and Venture Crew 591, Scouts learn from one another, serve their community, develop leadership and outdoor skills, and prepare themselves for the challenges they will face throughout life.

Together, Scout Society continues its tradition of Leadership, Service, and Citizenship while helping the next generation of Scouts learn to always Be Prepared.

Leadership Service Citizenship

The Meaning Behind Our Mascot

Crimson Embers

Scout Society has adopted the phoenix, affectionately known as Crimson Embers, as our mascot. The phoenix is a legendary bird whose story has been told in different forms for centuries. According to legend, as the phoenix reaches the end of its life, it is consumed by flames and reduced to ashes. From those ashes, however, a new phoenix rises - beginning another life while carrying forward the legacy of the one that came before it.

For Scout Society, the phoenix represents much more than rebirth. Crimson Embers symbolizes growth, resilience, perseverance, and the understanding that every ending can become the beginning of something new. These qualities closely reflect the Scouting journey. A young person may enter Scouting knowing very little about camping, leadership, service, or the challenges that lie ahead. Through experience, practice, successes, and even occasional failures, that Scout gradually develops the knowledge, confidence, and character needed to face increasingly difficult challenges.

Throughout their Scouting journey, Scouts continually experience their own form of renewal. A Cub Scout eventually moves on to a troop. A new Scout grows into an experienced member of a patrol. A follower is given an opportunity to become a leader. Skills that once seemed difficult eventually become skills that can be taught to someone else. With every new experience, Scouts carry forward what they have learned while preparing themselves for the next challenge.

Eventually, every Scout reaches a point when their time as a youth member comes to an end. For some, that journey may include earning the highest rank available within their program; for others, the journey may follow a different path. Regardless of the awards earned, the lessons and experiences gained through Scouting do not disappear when that chapter closes. The leadership, service, citizenship, friendships, confidence, and practical skills developed along the way become the foundation for whatever comes next.

This is what Crimson Embers represents to Scout Society. Life is filled with beginnings, endings, successes, setbacks, and opportunities to begin again. Each experience becomes part of who we are and helps prepare us for the next journey. Like the phoenix rising from its ashes, we hope every Scout will carry forward the lessons of the past, continue to grow, and face each new challenge with confidence.

Wherever that next journey may lead, remember the experiences that helped prepare you for it - and, as always, Be Prepared.

Be Prepared.

Be Prepared — For Life.

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