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Home | Events and People | About Troop 354 | Our Location | Contact Us | Request Awards | Charter Organization |
Easton & Barrett Rd.
Willow Grove, PA
215-659-5938
www.firstpreswg.org
On Scout Sunday 2004, Troop 354 participated in a church service with our Charter Organization, The First Presbyterian Church in Willow Grove, PA. The following address was delivered, expressing our gratitude to the church and providing an update on the Troop's progress and activities.
Troop 354 welcomes all faiths and religions.
Hello, I am an assistant scout master with Boy Scout Troop 354, the troop that is so graciously sponsored by this church. I’d like to thank Pastor Prezendanz for giving us this opportunity to participate in today’s service as part of Scout Sunday. I’d also like to tell you all a little bit about what’s been happening with Troop 354, and the role the church has played in its continued growth.
Those of you who have attended a scout Sunday service here in the past may recall Scoutmaster Duke Descant. Duke was unable to attend today, but he extends his greetings to the congregation and to Pastor Presendanz. As a result of an impending move to a new home some miles from the troop, Duke has stepped down as Scoutmaster, but remains with us as an assistant scoutmaster. Duke has left big shoes to fill, and Mr. Bob Gaston, another assistant scoutmaster with the troop has stepped forward to take over as Scoutmaster. Although Bob also had an unbreakable commitment today, please believe me what I tell you that he brings a great deal of experience, energy and enthusiasm to the role of Scoutmaster. Together with the continued guidance of Mr. Descant, the troop is in excellent hands.
Along with Mr. Descant and Mr. Gaston, the troop has half a dozen parents, myself included, who have stepped forward to act as registered leaders. And most of the remaining parents participate actively in the troop, helping to prepare for camping trips, learning activities, and other events. The old adage that “many hands make light work” is tested, and proven, in the operation of Troop 354. While some parents are able to pitch in on many different activities, almost all participate actively in some facet of the troop. I have been with troop 354 less than a year, and already I feel privileged to have been associated with so many good people, who are so obviously invested in the lives of their own children and the community at large.
The dedication and devotion shown by the adults involved in Troop 354 has born fruit. At one time, years ago, the troop had grown quite small, small enough that there were questions as to whether it would continue. Duke Descant made the statement at the at time that he would continue as scout master as long as a single boy remained that wanted to pursue scouting. And, thanks to his leadership, the troop not only survived, but thrived.
We currently have 22 boys, and expect several more to cross over from local Cub Scout programs in a just few months. And, perhaps more significant is the number of boys who have chosen to stay with the troop as they have gotten older, maturing into young men who are still willing to accept the challenge, and the commitment, that scouting represents.
I would ask you to trust me when I tell you that these young men are committed to scouting, but you do not need to trust me, their record speaks for itself. We have 5 scouts who have attained the rank of Life Scout, the second highest rank in scouting, and all are continuing to progress towards the highest rank, that of Eagle scout. And, just two weeks ago today, Duke Descant awarded the rank of Eagle to one of Troop 354’s very own, David Morrison. His name will join that of 16 other boys on the Eagle Plaque that hangs downstairs in the Fellowship Room.
And so I look at the troop’s successes, at the monthly camping trips well attended by both scouts and parents, at the religious services held on Sundays during camping trips. I look at the boys growing into young men, learning how to safely shoot a bow and arrow, and to hike the Appalachian Trail. I see them learning not only how to follow the directions of a leader, but how to give direction, as a leader, to those younger and less experienced. Many young men do not work in a leadership position until they have years of experience in their chosen profession. Some of these young men are patrol leaders as they enter High School.
Among the awards that a scout can earn is a set of religious emblems. If you are Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, or one of many other faiths, there is an emblem you can earn to show your knowledge of, and devotion to, your religious beliefs. The Boy Scouts of America do not pretend to know and understand the teachings of all these religions. The requirements to earn these emblems are defined and overseen by the churches and temples themselves. Over 75,000 of these emblems have been awarded to scouts.
- While many scouts start out with a strong religious background, 12% of boy scouts will be from families that belong to no church. Through Scouting, they will be brought into contact with a church and many will continue to be active all their lives. 6% of all scouts will become pastors.
- Among this country’s leaders in business, religion and politics, three out of four were Scouts.
- 71% of football captains were scouts, as were
- 85% of FBI agents,
- 26 of the first 29 astronauts, and
- 72% of Rhodes Scholars
A big part of the success that Troop 354 has experienced, a big part of this building block of the future, is the very important role played by this church. We use fellowship hall for our weekly meetings, teaching the boys first aid, orienteering, or camping skills. If you’ve ever tried to set up several tents in your living room, you know how much we need a hall of that size. Your parking lot is the staging area for our camping trips, and serves as the meeting place and pick-up spot for the parents when we return. We impose in any number of small ways; we have space set aside in various rooms to store our gear, paperwork, and equipment. But that is not all. The Ron More Campership fund helps us to continue the activities and events for all the scouts. The Lehman Archery fund continues to support the troop, allowing us to give the boys the scouting experience they deserve, and that is worthy of the commitment that they’ve shown. Many of the Alumni supported Dave Morrison’s Eagle project.
And so, I’d like to thank the congregation of this church, whose support is so vital to everything the troop hopes to accomplish. I’d like to thank the church secretary, Marie, for her kindness when we work to coordinate the troops schedule with the church’s. And I’d like to thank Pastor Presendanz, for his continued support and understanding. I said earlier that I felt privileged to be associated with the parents, leaders, and scouts of Troop 354. Let me assure you, that the parents, leaders, and scouts of Troop 354 feel privileged to be associated with Pastor Presendanz, with this congregation and with the First Presbyterian Church. Thank you.