Whitefish Boy Scout Troop recruiting members, leaders

Whitefish Boy Scout Troop 1917 is looking for new scouts and adult leaders to assist them in their various camping and service projects.

Based at the Whitefish Church of the Nazarene, the troop meets Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and offers some the most rigorous experiences in Montana scouting.

Outings include camping every month of the year and in the summer, week-long camping and service projects.

The schedule for the coming year offers: April – First-aid training at a U.S. Forest Service cabin north of Polebridge; May – Clean the Fish camping; June – Seven days at Camp Easton in Idaho; July – service in the Bob Marshall Wilderness; August – canoeing the Missouri Breaks 50-plus miles, and more.

In addition to campouts and service projects, boys learn important life skills that give them the ability to cope with the adversity and challenging circumstances that the world can dish out whether in the wilderness, or in town, according to Troop 1917 Assistant Scoutmaster Toby Scott.

“The troop’s motto is ‘where theory ends, reality begins,’ which is a nod to the fact that what can be learned from a Scout handbook isn’t what is going to work out in life, and that the best plans can be upended,” Scott said.

In Troop 1917 younger boys learn by the example and mentorship of the older boys. At each meeting they learn various skills they will need for their activities and advancement in rank. All participate in leadership roles as they progress through the ranks of scouting, every one of them aspiring to the goal of Eagle Scout. Troop 1917 has graduated 23 Eagle Scouts over the past 10 years, a testament to the troop’s commitment to the values of the Boy Scout oath, Scoutmaster Frank Thompson pointed out. Whether achieving the rank of Eagle or not, boys that have been Scouts in this troop have gone on to become men of high moral character and outstanding citizens, Thompson added.

The troop is seeking boys ages 11 and up to become a part of this adventure, and adults to assist them in the experience. Male or female, any contribution of time as helpers, guides, drivers, cooks, assistants or as Scoutmasters is welcome. No experience required, as there are leaders to provide guidance. You need not have a boy in the troop, as there are several adult leaders whose sons have gone through the ranks, yet they remain involved to enjoy all that scouting has to offer, Scott said, who has been with the troop for 10 years.

If you have a son interested in joining, or are interested in assisting Troop 1917, contact Thompson at greenacres06@gmail.com.