There is a new Boy Scout Troop in Christiansburg. Troop 145 was chartered by the St. Paul United Methodist Church Men in August.
Twenty-nine boys, ages 11-17 years, and nine adult leaders now meet every Monday night in the St. Paul Activity Building.
The United Methodist Men understand the need for civic youth-serving organizations such as scouting as an outreach ministry within the community. A Venture Crew 145 for co-ed youth ages 14 to 20 years old was also instituted to create monthly adventures. These older youth join the younger Cub Scouts of Pack 145 who have been with St. Paul UMC since 1946.
Recently, a ninth grade Boy Scout, Jace Thompson, wrote a speech to help him complete a communications merit badge for Troop 145. His speech discussed the benefits of Boy Scouting:
“Boy Scouts can have multiple benefits on a young boy’s life whether he is 11 or 18. While Scouting can seem to take up quite a bit of a boy’s life, the dedication is all worth it; whether it is for rank advancement or for a merit badge. The time and effort you put into Scouts will be a memory for years.
Boy Scouts will give you a wide variety of skills that you will use later in life no matter the time or place. You will be known as a ‘jack of all trades.’ It can be extremely useful to have so many skills because when someone is in need, you will be most successful person to help. Whether is it tying knots, canoeing, welding, or wilderness survival, Boy Scouts will have the skills necessary to complete that task.
A variety of merit badges each teach a different skill. Some merit badges, like fingerprinting, only take 30 minutes while harder merit badges, like personal fitness, can take 12 weeks or more. Even less important merit badges like video game design or pulp and paper may be useful in a job one day.
Scouting includes adventuring which will create memories and experiences. There are few times and places a boy can camp, shoot rifles, start campfires, build shelters, create items in a forge, canoe, make baskets and even moccasins. Some of these souvenirs remind you of that scouting time.
Boy Scouts was created by Sir Robert Baden Powell to introduce more boys to the great outdoors. Its principles are still based on that but it has grown to much more now. Boy Scouts serve the community at no charge. This teaches boys that you need to do the right thing all the time.
Generations of scouts have come and gone. Only 10% of Boy Scouts earn the Eagle rank, which is why getting your Eagle comes with the highest honor and respect. The Scouting experience and working to become an Eagle will give you a greater chance in life. You will have a greater chance at jobs and college. An Eagle Scout will actually get a better military rank. There are many successful leaders in government and business who are Eagle Scouts. Joining Boy Scouts and working to become an Eagle, the possibilities in your life will be endless. “
For more information about Boy Scouting, contact Troop 145 at 382-2410.
