This month’s Mercer Savings Bank Giving Mission recipient is the Fort Recovery Boy Scouts. The organization prepares boys in Fort Recovery to make ethical and moral choices by following the Scout Law and Oath.
Learn more about the organization and find out how you can help support its mission.
Fort Recovery Cub and Boy Scout Programs
Boy Scouts promotes leadership, compassion, and humility through camps, programs, badges, and projects. The youth build character and hands-on skills by doing a wide range of activities in the organization.
“I enjoy teaching the boys about being responsible, building character, and learning hands-on skills that they can use throughout their lives,” said Fort Recovery Cub and Boy Scout Master Dean Zehring. “We serve boys in kindergarten through high school in our program.”
The Scout’s Motto is Be Prepared, and the Scout Law defines a Scout as “trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”
The Scout Oath, which Scouts are encouraged to memorize, is as follows: “On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”
Through campouts, derby car races, hikes, community projects, and more, Scouts are more likely to:
- Embrace positive social values
- Develop kindness, helpfulness, and cheerfulness
- Have a greater sense of hope for their future
The Fort Recovery Boys Scouts are divided into Cub Scout Dens and one Boy Scout Troop. Cub Scout Dens include the following, with the boys advancing through the dens each year:
- Lion – Kindergarten
- Tiger – 1st grade
- Wolf – 2nd grade
- Bear – 3rd grade
- Webelo – 4th grade through joining a Boy Scout Troop
“We were able to secure funding about a year and a half ago to build our own Scouting Center in Ambassador Park that our Cub and Boy Scouts can use for meetings, campouts, and activities,” said Dean. “The idea is to get different troops from other areas to come use our building also.”
Scouting Opportunities
Fort Recovery Cub and Boy Scouts stay busy throughout the year and participate in trips, camps, and other activities.
“We plan various trips — we went to the Naval Base last spring. We attend a camp every summer and hold a campout each fall,” said Dean.
We also do fundraisers, including a pancake breakfast in February, and we just completed a food concession trailer that the Scouts will use to sell popcorn, drinks, and other food at the summer concert series here in town.”
The Fort Recovery Scouts also enjoy guest speakers, like the Mercer County game warden. They can participate in outdoor experiences where they learn and get to try out archery, BB gun shooting, beekeeping, and fishing. Another annual favorite activity is rocketry, where Scouts get to launch rockets.
The Scouts learn responsibility through several activities, including flag retiring ceremonies, camp inspections, and parades.
“The Scouts wear their uniforms to many of our events, including the annual One World Day parade and to the VFW for a flag-burning ceremony for retired flags,” said Dean. “At camp, the Scouts must be dressed and on the field by 7:30 and meet at a certain time for lunch.”
They must wear their uniforms at night when they take the flags down. They also have inspections inside their tents and the latrines to ensure everything is put away and organized. We’re teaching responsibility and ownership of their things.”
Supporting the Fort Recovery Cub and Boy Scouts
“We’re always willing to accept donations,” said Dean. “We appreciate the support because we try to keep the costs down for the Scouts as the programs and camp expenses can add up quickly.”
Interested community members should contact Dean for donation information. Dean also encourages families to set aside time for their children to participate in Scouting.
“There are so many activities and sports that are pulling kids away from Scouts,” added Dean. “I hope families will share the importance of Scouting and make sure their kids stay active and participate in it if they’re interested.”
Fort Recovery Cub and Boy Scouts plan to use the Giving Mission funds from Mercer Savings Bank to help support their programs and mission.
Additional information about Fort Recovery Cub and Boy Scouts can be found on their website and Facebook page, as noted below. You can contact Dean directly through Facebook Messenger.
Website: http://www.blackswampbsa.org/2477
