The tree sale is a 65-year tradition for Hamden, Conn., Scouts. (Photo Credit: WTNH / Renee Chmiel)
A determined Boy Scout troop from the Connecticut Yankee Council still plans to raise both money and holiday spirits, despite setbacks from a real-life Grinch.
The troop’s Christmas tree fundraiser suffered a loss of $400-$500 in profits last week when several trees were stolen. At least six trees were taken from the front lawn of Spring Glen Church, where the market had been constructed.
As part of a 65-year tradition, Scouts in Hamden, Conn., sell Christmas trees, wreaths, and decorations to fund activities and service projects throughout the year. The fundraiser also helps the troop make sure all boys who want to participate in Scouting are able to do so.
Not only do the boys sell the trees; they also assist patrons with trimming, measuring, and securing the trees to cars, making the sale a full-service Christmas tree shop. In doing this, the Scouts get to experience helping other people while working cheerfully.
Although no one has been charged in the theft yet, the Scouts told WTNH News they hope whoever is responsible will realize that this project is about so much more than making a profit. “This is a troop and this is about making people’s days better,” Boy Scout Patrick P. shared with WTNH.
Despite the theft, the Scouts will continue with their project. In an effort to raise holiday spirits, the troop even plans to donate 20 trees to families who would otherwise not have the holiday décor.
Unfortunately, stealing Christmas trees from Scouts is not uncommon. Bryan on Scouting has some great tips to keep your trees safe this year, so make sure to check out his article on how to stop Christmas tree theft.
Read the full story on WTNH to see how these determined Scouts are pushing forward to spread cheer.
Eagle Scout Daven L. from the Calumet Council with his father David, mother Susanna, brother Niko and sister Gabriella. (Photo Credit: the Chicago Tribune)
Daven L., 18, of the Calumet Council is the most recent in a long line of Eagle Scouts in his family.
The Scouting succession originally began with Daven’s grandfather who served as a Cubmaster more than 50 years ago. The legacy has been carried down by Daven’s father, brother, three of his uncles, and two of his cousins, who are all Eagle Scouts.
“Having pretty much all of my family being Eagle Scouts is a tough thing to live up to,” Daven shared with the Chicago Tribune. “However, I am finally now in the Eagle Club.”
The Scout now joins the ranks of the other men in his family after gaining approval from the Eagle Scout Board of Review for completing his Eagle project.
Daven oversaw a landscaping project for the Southlake YMCA in Crown Point, Ind., from design to execution. With help from his family, YMCA staff, and other Scouts in his troop, this Eagle planted trees, removed sod, and made a big difference in his community.
Daven told the Chicago Tribune, “Coordinating 10-plus people to get the job done correctly and efficiently wasn’t an easy task, but the most enjoyable part was knowing that I was doing this for a good cause, and it was a win-win for both me and the YMCA.”
Be sure to read the article by the Chicago Tribune for the full story on Daven and his Eagle Scout family.
Cub Scout Jack S. shakes Mayor Jeff Colman’s hand at the Pflugerville City Council meeting. (Photo credit: Nicole Barrios)
Cub Scout Jack S. of the Capitol Area Council, had already saved $20 for his very own iPad; but after learning about a local act of vandalism, Jack had a big change in plans for his money.
On the morning of Nov. 16, a torn Quran, covered in waste was left at a local mosque in Pflugerville, Texas. After assisting with the cleanup, Jack’s mother Laura picked Jack up from school and told him something sad had happened in their community. The mess had been removed, but the unpleasant odor remained.
In true Scout spirit, Jack wanted to do anything he could to help. He said, “We could give them some money. We could buy them some air freshener,” Jack’s mother shared with the Austin American-Statesman.
Laura suggested Jack donate $5 of his own money, but the Cub Scout wanted to go even further. He went home, emptied his piggy bank, and presented his full savings to the members of the mosque.
Cub Scout Jack S. salutes at the Pflugerville City Council meeting. (Photo credit: Laura Swanson)
This act of kindness sent waves through the Texas town. According to Pflugerville Mayor Jeff Coleman, Jack has become the “face of Pflugerville,” because his generosity sparked the community to come together and demonstrate that such acts of vandalism do not represent the town’s values.
On Nov. 24, Jack attended the Pflugerville City Council meeting, donning his Cub Scout uniform. Jack was given certificates of appreciation from both the state House of Representatives and the city of Pflugerville, and also a key to the city from Mayor Coleman.
Someone else also had a surprise for Jack. American Muslim community member Arsalan Iftikhar gave the Scout an iPad in appreciation for his kindness.
Lincoln Heritage Council Scout sorts through donated food items for Scouting for Food. (Photo Credit: WHAS11)
A group of Scouts from the Lincoln Heritage Council is making a big difference in their community this week for the Scouting for Food, Youth for Food Community service project.
Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Venturing, and other volunteer groups are collecting nonperishable food items from neighborhoods in Kentucky. The project will benefit both the Dare to Care Food Bank and Eastern Area Community Ministries.
Clint Scharff of the Lincoln Heritage Council referenced the Tufts University study on the character of Scouts when interviewed by WHAS11. “One of the things they [researchers] learned is that kindness, cheerfulness, thankfulness and helpfulness are all greatly improved among boys who participate in Scouting and things like this help accomplish that,” Scharff said.
The project, which has already collected thousands of food items, is actually intended to teach youth the value of serving their communities, according to Scharff.
Scharff said the Scouting for Food project yielded almost 35 tons of food last year, and participants hope to collect even more this year.
L to R: #76 Colin H., #80 Nolan S., #74 Byron R., #78 David B., #72 Chris H., #18 Walker K. (Photos provided by Greg Beach, Assistant Scoutmaster in Mullan Trail District)
Six Scouts on the Sentinel High School Spartan football team are prime examples of citizenship, exceptional character, and leadership – on the team and across Missoula, Montana.
Of the six football players, five are Eagles Scouts and one Life Scout is well on his way to earning Scouting’s highest honor this year. These distinguished students represent a rare group of young men who began their Scouting journeys as Cub Scouts and continue to go beyond the call of duty serving their community, their churches, and excelling as student athletes.
“They represent what’s best about the Scouting program and I am proud of each of these fine young men,” said Greg Beach, assistant scoutmaster in the Mullan Trail District. “All of them come from different backgrounds, yet as brothers in Scouting, share a common bond. Scouting has instilled in them the knowledge necessary to make them successful in life; how to be leaders, how to be a good citizens, and how to get along with people who have different temperaments, talents, and convictions.”
Their goal of achieving Eagle Scout may be shared, but their individual accomplishments are diverse.
L to R.: Eagle Scouts Chris H., David B., Colin H. and Nolan S. striking a football pose at the Montana Council’s Mullan Trail District Eagle Board of Review
As members of the same troop, Chris H., Colin H., and Nolan S. have participated in a variety of community and Scouting endeavors together. Twins, Chris and Colin H. are Honor Roll students vying for Montana’s prestigious Presidential Scholarship and plan to attend college in Montana. The brothers planned and executed individual landscape projects at a local church and historic Lewis & Clark encampment.
Nolan S. is also a star student hoping to attend college in Montana and excels in multiple sports including football, track, and cross-country. For his Eagle project he built a fence surrounding the grounds of Fort Missoula in Montana. Together, the three boys also completed a 50-mile floating trip on the Flathead River.
“ I have enjoyed having them as members of our troop,” said longtime Scoutmaster Bill Hoffman. “They went out of their way to mentor and help the younger Scouts. They were model Scouts in every respect.”
With a perfect GPA on his transcripts, Byron R. will receive academic and athletic scholarships to play football for the Montana State Bobcats and contemplates majoring in engineering or pre-med. David B. serves as senior patrol leader of his troop in addition to being on the staff of National Youth Leadership Training courses. For his Eagle project, he constructed book carts, a picnic table, and memorial urn box for the Military Museum at Fort Missoula and the Western Montana Veteran’s Cemetery. Aspiring Eagle, Walker K. is currently working toward earning the highest achievement in Scouting after fulfilling requirements in leadership, service, and outdoor skills.
With a successful football season behind them and college applications approaching, there’s no doubt these Scouts have a bright future ahead.
Boy Scouts of America Assistant Chief Scout Executive of Development Brad Farmer presented Polaris Industries Inc. a “one-of-a-kind” print created by award-winning artist Greg Newbold to commemorate the kick-off of Polaris’ 10-year commitment to provide off-road vehicles (ORV), safety equipment, and safety instruction to Boy Scout camps.
The pilot program, through which Polaris donated ORVs and safety gears to Northern Star Council’s Tomahawk Scout Reservation and Northern Lights Council’s Camp Wilderness, was very successful: hundreds of Scouts received basic riding and maintenance instructions and earned safety patches. The program is now available in Boy Scout local councils across the United States.
“We are proud of this partnership with Polaris that helps us in our commitment to provide programs that build the character of young people and train them for life,” said Farmer, who presented the print to Polaris Chairman and CEO Scott Wine and Polaris President and COO Bennett Morgan.
“Polaris is excited to partner with the Boys Scouts of America and work together to implement a program that introduces youth to outdoor sports with an emphasis on safety, responsible riding, and respect for the environment,” said Wine. “A special thanks to the entire BSA organization for the beautiful print and the opportunity to help educate the youth of today on these important issues.”
For information about Polaris products, apparel, and accessories, go to www.polaris.com.
