Medfield Troop 89 Returns To BSA Summer Camp At Camp Squanto

Medfield Troop 89 Returns to BSA Summer Camp at Camp Squanto

After a three-year hiatus, Troop 89 returned to summer camp at Camp Squanto for a fun week of learning and camaraderie. Troop 89 had 26 scouts attend, and about half attended for the first time.

They started the week strong by earning the coveted Site Inspection Award. Each day campsites are inspected and scored on elements of cleanliness and organization. Each scout had an opportunity to pick four to five merit badges to work on from a total 106. The areas of interest ranged from archery, shooting, leather work, metal work, game design, animation, swimming, golf, kayaking, sailing, fishing, etc.

One of the time-honored traditions of Boy Scout summer camp is the Order ofthe Arrow induction ceremony. The Order of the Arrow (OA) is Scouting'snational camping honor society. It recognizes scouts who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law daily. Scouts who are first class rank and have at least15 nights of camping are eligible to be elected by their fellow scouts. Troop 89 is proud to announce Marco Benson, Matteo Benson, Dylan Corbett, Liam Curry, Jack Gargano, and Brandon Popper have been elected into the OA.

"I am incredibly proud of the OA inductees and all of Troop 89 for representing scouting and Medfield so well." Said scoutmaster Jim Hatch "our leaders received numerous compliments throughout the week on how organized and well presented our troop was but most importantly, how nice our kids are. They were kind to others and each other."

In addition to the OA ceremony, there were camp-wide competitions for the campsite theme of pirates and the traditional Apache Relay. The Apache Relay is a multi-leg race that encompasses scout skills (e.g., fire starting, swimming, canoeing) and fun events (e.g., dizzy bat, three-leg
race, and pie eating). The maximum number of participants is 23 scouts per team. Troop 89 took an early lead in the canoe and swim portions of the race, holding the lead to victory. Historically, Troop 89 consistently won this relay race through the 70s, 80s, and 90s. However, this is Troop 89's first win in nearly a decade.

Troop 89 is fortunate to have an active adult community that always pitches in to help. For example, ten adult volunteers joined the troop at Camp Squanto for all or part of the week.

Medfield Troop 89 is a member of the Metacomet district in the Mayflower Scouts BSA Council, chartered to the American Legion. Service. Community engagement and leadership development are integral parts of the Scouts BSA program. If you know a youth between the ages of 11 and 18, who may be interested in joining Scouting, please have them contact Scoutmaster Hatch at jameshatch1998@gmail.com.