2016 State of the Troop
The scouts of St. Joseph Parish’s Troop 103 have remained engaged in a variety of activities and events during the past five months. It is noted that the scouts in the troop (with guidance and support from adult leadership) plan all respective meetings, activities and events from selection, to organizing and logistical support, to implementation.
In August, scouts participated in a camping trip to Tom’s Cove on Chincoteague Island beaches during the weekend of August 11th-14th. This weekend included fishing, relaxing beach-related fun, and using a professional-grade telescope to observe the moon and enjoying the Perseid Meteor Shower right on the beach.
A chief aspect of scouting is “doing a good turn daily” and providing service to others. Living that slogan, several scouts from the troop assisted the Hanover Historical Society in serving ice cream treats to attending participants to the Society’s August Lawn Concert Series. They also provided service to the local parish community with support and assistance during several parish-sponsored events.
In mid-September, a weekend camp-out in the woods south of Gettysburg included a visit to the Eisenhower Farm where a WWI Living History event occurred. Scouts had an opportunity to interview and spend time with Clem Leone, a radioman and gunner on a B-24 bomber crew in the 8th U.S, Army Air Force’s 445th Bomb Group, 700th Squadron. Mr. Leone shared his story about how his plane exploded during a mission over Holland in February 1944. After parachuting down, Mr. Leone spent several months hidden by local civilians before being captured by the Germans and detained until the war ended. The scouts also made some time to do a little fishing during the weekend.
In October, the troop held a Court of Honor to recognize the many scouts who earned advancements and merit badges during the previous months. They assisted the Cub Pack 103 by providing the “haunt” during the Pack’s annual Haunted Trail event, and in a joint effort with another troop participated in a weekend camp-out at Gifford Pinchot State Park visiting Indian Echo Caverns and Hershey Chocolate World.
November had scouts engage in a campout weekend in southern Adams County, planning the 2017 Scouting Year, taking a 5-mile hike in the Battlefield, and enjoying a Ghost Tour in Gettysburg.
To finish off the year, scouts are taking tours of three different museums in the Gettysburg area in mid-December.
And so, with a busy and active 2016 schedule of meetings, outings, activities, advancement, and service, Troop 103 was able to earn the top rating of GOLD status in the Boy Scout’s Journey to Excellence Program. For more information about Troop 103, visit the Troop’s website: http://www.bsatroop103.org