Troop slates food drive

BSA Troop 97 of Middletown held a Court of Honor on Sept. 19 at Londonderry Fire Company 1 to celebrate recent achievements of its members.

Senior patrol leader Colin Buggy and assistant senior patrol leader Adrian Komanski served as masters of ceremony. Life Scout Leo Nissley called the troop and guests to attention for the flag raising, and bugler Daniel Orris played "To the Colors." It was the first time a flag had been raised using the new flagpole at the fire company. Replacing the pole was Leo's Eagle Scout service project.

The ceremony included the awarding of a total of 99 merit badges, including some earned during summer camp in June. Jace Kryscio spoke about earning the Oceanography merit badge at camp. Also at camp, William Weber worked with a partner in a two-man sailboat to navigate the lake and earn the Small-Boat Sailing merit badge, and Rece Shiffler used sticks, rope, and a tarp to construct a shelter he slept in overnight to complete the Wilderness Survival merit badge.

In July, several Scouts worked on the Personal Management merit badge, which was taught by Eagle Scout and Assistant Scoutmaster Matt Pauley. Concepts of budgeting, saving, price comparison for a purchase, investments, loans, and insurances were explained. Personal Management is one of the required merit badges for the rank of Eagle Scout. At the Court of Honor, Logan Nissley and William Zakovich recounted the troop's whitewater rafting adventure at Ohiopyle State Park, where they paddled through class 3 and 4 rapids, jumped off a cliff, and slept overnight in tents.

Colin explained that community service is a core value in Scouting. In addition to volunteering during the Geyers United Methodist Church vacation Bible school, the troop worked on three Life Scouts' Eagle Scout service projects benefiting local nonprofit organizations. In addition to Nissley's project, Mason Barrick built and installed bat boxes for the Swatara Beagle Club, and Jacob Dunkleberger constructed an outdoor food pantry and a living wall of plants for Hope Within Ministries.

Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware was the final summer outing for the Scouts. They camped in tents in an open field next to a trail that led into the woods, rode bikes to the boardwalk, and played ultimate Frisbee on the beach. Scouts practiced outdoor cooking skills and added camping nights to their individual records.

Pauley presented Jordan Paul with the rank of First Class Scout. Requirements for this advancement include knowing the rights and responsibilities of a U.S. citizen; how to handle and respect the American flag; and how to treat fractures, hypothermia, lacerations, and burns, along with a minimum of 20 nights camping in a tent the Scout pitched and the ability to navigate using a map and a compass.

Scoutmaster Bill Lee bestowing the rank of Life Scout upon Isaac Dunkleberger. Lee confirmed that Isaac served as the senior patrol leader for Troop 97, earned the necessary merit badges, and fulfilled a minimum of six hours of service to his community. Isaac often utilized the EDGE method to teach younger members a variety of Scout skills, including first aid, cooking, and navigation.

Lee called the troop's new officers forward to take an oath of service. In addition to Buggy and Komanski, Lee swore in troop guide Jordan Paul, quartermaster Jace Kryscio, assistant quartermaster Logan Nissley, chaplain's aid William Zakovich, patrol leaders Dan Dunkleberger and Isaac Dunkleberger, and assistant patrol leaders Jayson Keener and William Weber.

Troop 97 will participate in the Boy Scouts of America's annual Scouting For Food effort in November. Door hangers will be placed on Saturday, Nov. 4, and donations will be collected on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Troop 97 is sponsored by Londonderry Fire Company 1. For more information, contact Ted Pauley at 717-503-3078.