Boy Scout Troop 97 of Middletown sought to face the challenges of 2020 with all the qualities named in the Boy Scout Oath and Law, and the outcome was a year of accomplishments and celebrations.

To start 2020, Scoutmaster Bill Lee congratulated Owen Wealand and Cole Carlson on becoming Eagle Scouts, the highest Scouting rank, on Jan. 11. In February, the troop had its annual Klondike campout at Hidden Valley Scout Reservation (HVSR), where participants engaged in team-building exercises and a snowless sled race. Elections for new Scout leaders were held, community services hours were volunteered at the Londonderry Fire Company's fish fry, and Junior Leadership Training was started by Lee prior to the pandemic's impacting the troop's calendar of events.

Although scheduled activities had to be canceled due to the pandemic, virtual meetings began and Junior Leadership Training resumed. Scouts practiced skills like tying knots and properly starting a fire. Adult leaders designed a weeklong "Gilligan's Island" themed summer camp, which utilized the natural resources in Middletown for skill instruction, hiking, canoeing, camping, cooking, and completing the Welding Merit Badge conducted by Assistant Scoutmaster Matt Pauley.

Lee announced a third Eagle Scout, Jason O'Donnell, on July 23, and a fourth Eagle Scout, Kyle Hoyt, on Oct. 24. Although the bridging ceremony for the Webelos was delayed several months, it was eventually able to take place. Scouts and their families met at an outdoor venue to honor Scouts and their achievements. In addition to youth rank advancements and earned merit badges, Troop 97 recognized Lee's completion of Wood Badge, an advanced national leadership course designed "to develop skilled leaders who can strengthen Scouting units in achieving the mission of the Boy Scouts of America."

In October, Troop 97 participated in the Wilderness Survival Weekend at HVSR, and eight Scouts earned the corresponding merit badge. In October, many youths and leaders volunteered time, equipment, and muscle on Beaver Day to cut wood and clean up around the Londonderry Scouting Complex.

Troop 97 participated in the annual national Scouting for Food program in November, and with the combined efforts of Cub Scout Pack 97 and residents of Middletown, food donations exceeded the previous two years, with more than 24,000 items collected.

To round out the year, members of Troop 97 visited King's Gap State Park and spent the day improving their orienteering skills by using maps and compasses to find points on a designated course.

Troop 97 is sponsored by Londonderry Fire Company.