4 multitools, 3 flashlights, 2 walking sticks and a Darth Vader electronic Bop It toy

Scouts with the Auburn firefighters who received their annual toy drive donations.

With the troop’s upcoming 10th Birthday Celebration and Reunion later in the week, Scouts and leaders turned the troop’s Monday, Dec. 12 weekly meeting into its annual “Dirty Santa” gift exchange and toy donation drive. Typically, the holiday activities are part of its December court of honor, which this year was combined with the troop's Dec. 15 birthday and reunion events.

After unwrapping five gifts, Will finally got
to keep his final one, which was a walking
stick.

The troop first gathered around wrapped gifts for the troop’s customary game of “Dirty Santa,” which, as you would expect, included numerous camping tools and gadgets like flashlights, pocket knives, and first-aid kits. When all was said and done, the final count included (which you must read to the tune of “The 12 Days of Christmas”) four multitools, three flashlights, two walking sticks, and (one of the more uncommon gifts) a Darth Vader electronic Bop It toy. “Dirty Santa” honors go to Will, who with five stolen gifts, earned the title of “Most Stolen From”—not to mention “The Only Scout Whose Brother Stole from Him.”

In honor of the Christmas season, and in keeping with the troop’s tradition established at its first Christmas Party in 2012, troop families donated toys to the City of Auburn’s Department of Public Safety’s annual toy drive. Gifts included sports equipment and children’s games. Scouts and leaders made the one-mile-round-trip trek from First Presbyterian Church to Auburn Fire Station No. 1 to present their donations.

For more photos from the troop’s annual Christmas Party, visit the troop’s online photo album.

Annual Christmas Court of Honor pays tribute to several holiday troop traditions

The troop’s December Court of Honor invokes more than just Christmas-time visions of sugar plums dancing in the heads of Troop 50 Scouts. The annual holiday gathering of Scouts and their families also means visions of a toy drive for the area’s less-fortunate children, a spirited “Dirty Santa” gift exchange, and of course, the new ranks and merit badges Scouts have earned that are the hallmark of any court of honor gathering.

The troop gathered on Monday, Dec. 13 for that very purpose. Senior Patrol Leader Jake and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Olen opened the court of honor by welcoming Scouts and their families.

Before the awards portion of the program, Assistant Scoutmaster Michael Tullier welcomed Chattahoochee Council Scout Executive and CEO Juan Osario. In addition to outlining the council’s annual Friends of Scouting fundraising program, he honored Assistant Scoutmaster Wes Williams as a James E. West Fellow for Mr. Williams’ personal donation to the council’s endowment fund.

Olen (left) presents Will (right) with his Scout rank.

Jake and Olen then began presenting Scouts with their advancement recognitions, which included 15 merit badges and eight ranks, some of which were completed at the troop's Merit Badge Day on Saturday, Dec. 4.

Scoutmaster Baird administers the youth
oath of office for the newly elected leaders.

The December court of honor also marks the transition of youth leadership. As is the troop’s tradition, Scoutmaster Andrew Baird introduced Scouts elected during troop elections the previous week and administered the youth leader oath of office.

The troop’s youth leadership for the first half of 2022 include:

• Leadership Corps: Connor, senior patrol leader; Rhett, assistant senior patrol leader; Harrison M., lead troop guide; Tyson, lead instructor; Beck, troop quartermaster; Hunter, junior assistant scoutmaster
• Ice Knight Patrol: Harrison P., patrol leader; Jake, assistant patrol leader
• Savage Cabbage Patrol: James, patrol leader; Jackson, assistant patrol leader

Scoutmaster Baird paid tribute to Jake for his six-month term as the troop’s senior patrol leader by presenting him with the traditional handmade neckerchief slide denoting past senior patrol leaders. He also recognized the troop’s newest assistant scoutmaster, Jason DeBlanc, whose first campout with the troop was its November trip to the Andersonville National Historic Site.

Jake shows off the coveted senior patrol leader neckerchief slide,
handmade by Scoutmaster Baird.

The final item of the court of honor program was announcing Will as the troop’s 2021 James J. Baird Jr. Honor Scout Award. First presented in 2015, the annual award is bestowed on the troop's “top Scout” based on his participation in troop activities, demonstration of Scout skills, continuing advancement success, and a vote of his peers. The award honors the memory of Jim Baird, the uncle of Scoutmaster Baird, a 1945 recipient of the Eagle Scout rank and longtime Rotarian leader. Will is the first in Troop 50 to follow a sibling as an award recipient—his older brother, Camp, was the troop’s 2019 honoree.

Will receives the James J. Baird Jr. Honor Scout Award.

Dillon, finally assured he'd be able
to take a "Dirty Santa" gift home

As everyone enjoyed holiday treats and sweets, Scouts and leaders gathered around wrapped gifts for the troop’s customary “Dirty Santa” gift exchange. As with past years, gifts included numerous camping tools and gadgets like flashlights, pocket knives, and first-aid kits. It was the gifts with candy paired with fast-food gift cards that really made the rounds. Along those lines, the title of “Most Stolen From” went to Dillon, who had at least a half-dozen gifts taken from him during the festivities.

Giving gifts to one another wasn’t Scouts’ only focus. In honor of the Christmas season, and in keeping with the troop’s practice since its first Christmas court of honor in 2012, troop families donated toys that will be gifted to Auburn’s Department of Public Safety as part of its annual toy drive. Gifts included sports equipment, games and other outdoor recreational items. Scouts and leaders made the one-mile-round-trip trek from First Presbyterian Church to Auburn Fire Station No. 1 to present their donations and to get their picture with one of the city’s newest fire trucks.

Scouts and leaders after delivering their toy donations to Auburn Fire Station No. 1.

The court of honor and Christmas gathering represent the troop’s final events for 2021. The troop’s Patrol Leaders Council will hold its first meeting of the new year on Monday, Jan. 4, and the entire troop will meet on Monday, Jan. 11.

For more photos from the court of honor and party, visit the troop’s online photo album.

Court of honor, annual Christmas party put a bow on an ‘unprecedented’ 2020

Troop 50’s December court of honor and annual Christmas party put the proverbial bow on a year during which the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted weekly troop meetings and monthly campouts. Despite those interruptions, Scouts persevered as evidenced by the number of merit badges and new ranks presented during the troop’s Sunday, Dec. 13 court of honor. The event also included the troop’s annual Christmas celebration, “Dirty Santa” gift exchange, and toy collection for the City of Auburn Department of Public Safety’s toy drive. 

Trey and Luke (left) congratulate the troop's newest Life Scouts: (left to right) Will, Olen and Tyson

Senior Patrol Leader Trey and Lead Troop Guide Luke opened the court of honor with the traditional Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath and Scout Law — followed by an opening prayer by Chaplain’s Aide Rhett. They then presented Scouts with 63 merit badges and 18 ranks (along with the now-common pandemic fist-bump) — the results of several advancement-focused outings like October’s wilderness survival campout and November’s advancement campout, and the postponement of the troop’s traditional June court of honor. 

Troop Chaplain Michael Tullier (left) and Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford (right)
congratulate Creighton Williams on earning the God and Life religious award.

In his role as the troop’s chaplain, Chartered Organization Representative Michael Tullier presented Junior Assistant Scoutmaster Creighton Williams with the God and Life religious emblem award. He explained to Scouts and parents that the religious awards program provides Scouts with a way of living out their “duty to God” commitment. The awards opportunities can be pursued in troop-based group settings, individually with Scouts’ families, or under the guidance of a religious leader. Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford, who has also served as Creighton’s Auburn United Methodist Church D-Group leaders since the seventh grade, assisted with the presentation. [Update, Dec. 31, 2020, Programs for Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y.) featured Creighton's achievement on its website.]

The troop's elected and appointed youth leadership for the first half of 2021
take the official oath of office.

The December court of honor also marked the transition of youth leadership. As is the troop’s tradition, Scoutmaster Andrew Baird introduced Scouts elected during the Dec. 7 troop elections, along with Scouts selected for other troop and patrol positions. Those serving in new leadership positions for the first half of 2021 include (front row, left to right) Tyson, senior patrol leader; Will, assistant senior patrol leader, and Rusty, junior assistant scoutmaster; (second row), Conner, lead troop guide; Jake, lead troop instructor; Olen, troop quartermaster; (third row), Rhett, Gladiators patrol leader; Harrison, Gladiators assistant patrol leader; Beck, Wizard Lizards patrol leader; and James, Wizard Lizards assistant patrol leader. Not pictured is Jason, promoted to junior assistant scoutmaster in anticipation of earning his Eagle Scout rank in the spring. 

Scoutmaster Andrew Baird (right) officially welcomes Chris Baker as one of the troop's
newest assistant scoutmasters for 2020.

Scoutmaster Baird also recognized the troop’s newest assistant scoutmaster: Chris Baker, who has been serving in the role since the spring, and Creighton Williams, who earned his Eagle Scout in 2018 and moves into an adult volunteer role having turned 18. 

Outgoing SPL Trey and Scoutmaster Baird

A closeup of Trey's pandemic-era
SPL neckerchief slide

Scoutmaster Baird also honored the extended service outgoing Senior Patrol Leader Trey provided the troop for 2020. While youth leaders’ tenure in an elected position is usually limited to six-month terms, Trey served in his elected capacity for all of 2020 due to the pandemic. In presenting Trey with the traditional handmade neckerchief slide denoting past senior patrol leaders (with the addition of 2020’s ubiquitous face mask), Scoutmaster Baird noted that Trey makes serving as SPL a family affair — his brother Andrew, one of the troop’s founding members, served twice as SPL during the latter half of 2013 and the first half of 2015.

To conclude the court of honor, Scoutmaster Baird noted that, despite the cancellation of many of the troop’s spring events due to the pandemic, as well as having to adapt many summer and fall outings, the troop had much to celebrate in terms of advancement and accomplishments. Together, Scouts collectively logged 159 camping nights, 257 service hours and 354 hiking miles. 2020 also included one new Eagle Scout and the start of several new Eagle Scout leadership service projects now in various stages of planning and execution. At least three Scouts are poised to earn their Eagles in 2021.

$5 and two boxes of Pop-Tarts ... what else
could a Scout want for Christmas, right, James?

As everyone enjoyed holiday treats and sweets, Scouts and leaders gathered around wrapped gifts for the troop’s customary “Dirty Santa” gift exchange. As with past years, gifts included numerous camping tools and gadgets like flashlights, pocket knives, and first-aid kits. Perhaps the most clever gift, in keeping with the theme of gifts useful for campouts, was the two boxes of Pop-Tarts (accompanied by a five-dollar bill). And the award for most frequently stolen gifts went to Jackson, who had at least three gifts stolen during the course of the gift exchange.

Giving gifts to one another wasn’t Scouts’ only focus. In honor of the Christmas season, and in keeping with the troop’s practice since its first Christmas court of honor in 2012, troop families donated toys that will be gifted to Auburn’s Department of Public Safety as part of its annual toy drive. Gifts included sports equipment, games and other outdoor recreational items. 

The court of honor and Christmas gathering represent the troop’s final events for 2020. The troop’s Patrol Leaders Council will hold its first meeting of the new year on Monday, Jan. 4, and the entire troop will meet on Monday, Jan. 11. The locations for both meetings will be announced.

For more photos from the court of honor and party, visit the troop’s online photo album.

Year in Review - 2015

      As many are prone to do at this time of year, we look back at 2015 in the life of Troop 50. The scouts reached new levels for advancement, enjoyed a diverse camping experience, and continued our tradition of service to the community. We also bid farewell to a good leader and friend of the troop who passed away this summer. Through the highs and the lows of the year, the troop worked hard to fulfill our mission to GATHER young men into a quality scouting program, GROW them into servant leaders, and GO into the community in service and fellowship.

The troop at Camp Sequoyah. 

     Our camping program saw a collective 337 nights of camping by the scouts and adult leaders of the troop. These included nights spent underground at Cumberland Caverns, in the international village at SIFAT, aboard the USS Alabama for a shipboard adventure, in the backcountry of Providence Canyon, and in the mountains of North Carolina on our rafting trip. We also spent a great week at Camp Sequoyah for summer camp and on the ski slopes of Gatlinburg in January. One of the most highly rated trips by the patrol leaders' council was the trip to SIFAT. Despite the rain, the experience was eye-opening in multiple ways. The scouts learned about the cultures of various developing countries and learned that having adequate food is not something we should take for granted. It made us appreciate all that we have in our society.

Jason and James Robert work in the rain to
fix a meal with limited resources at SIFAT.

      The year set a record for advancement with a total of forty-four ranks and 118 merit badges earned. We had an 81.5 percent advancement rate this year as twenty-two of our twenty-seven scouts advanced in rank, with several advancing through multiple ranks. Although most of the scouts earned multiple merit badges, Creighton led the way by earning thirteen this year. Liam was close behind with eleven and Nicky earned ten. Our advancement program included the first troop merit badge day in December, a disabilities awareness program on the Auburn campus in April, and various rank requirements that were covered during campouts. We also celebrated the advancement of three more scouts to Eagle as Andrew Stanford, Robert Perry, and Will Pendleton added their names to the troop's Eagle's Nest. The coming year may prove equally prosperous for Eagles as we have three more scouts who are in various stages with their Eagle Projects.

The scouts played wheelchair basketball while
learning about people with disabilities.

      Our commitment to community service included our first joint project with our chartering organization, the Auburn Rotary Club. During Mulch Madness in March, the troop helped spread several cubic yards of mulch around Hickory Dickory Park. We also continued our annual service at the Blast and Cast to benefit veteran's scholarships and the Kevin Bell Memorial Scholarship. Other troop service projects included sorting food at the East Alabama Food Bank during the Saugahatchee District's Scouting for Food program, gathering compost material at SIFAT, picking up trash at Chewacla State Park, a conservation project at Camp Sequoyah, and our annual toy collection for Toys for Tots at Christmas. Several scouts served individually at the District Cub Scout Day Camp and at the National Night Out program sponsored by the Auburn Police Department. With three Eagle projects also among the service opportunities, Troop 50 scouts and leaders collectively contributed 766 hours of service. It was an effort certainly worthy of pride by our scouts.

Troop members sort food at the East Alabama Food Bank. 

      Along with the highlights this year we also faced the sorrow of losing a strong supporter of the troop when John Cottier passed away suddenly at the end of June. John was officially an assistant scoutmaster with the troop but he was one who worked behind the scenes taking photos, helping set up for events, and encouraging the efforts of all around him. The troop attended his funeral as a unit, honoring his memory and helping to celebrate his life. We will long be blessed by his example to us.

John tells the scouts about archeology efforts at Horseshoe Bend National Battlefield. 

      Another milestone was reached this year with the May election of Louie as senior patrol leader of the troop. Louie was the first SPL to have joined the troop from a Cub Scout pack and have advanced through the ranks to this position. All of our previous senior patrol leaders had joined the troop when it was founded in 2012 by transferring from other troops. This point marked a transition in the life of the troop. As part of this transition, we held our first Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops training in the spring. In recognition of the fine work of the previous SPL, the scouts honored Andrew Stanford as the first recipient of the James J. Baird, Jr. Honor Scout Award at the June Court of Honor. The award was based on criteria such as advancement and participation as well as a peer ranking by his fellow scouts.

Louie poses with his SPL neckerchief slide. 

Andrew, upon receiving the James J. Baird, Jr. Honor Scout Award,
along with members of the Baird family. 

     Our final event of 2015 was the Court of Honor and Christmas Party on December 14. Over eighty scouts and family members attended to honor the hard work of the troop. We awarded twenty-five merit badges and fifteen rank advancements. New youth leadership was sworn into office as Nicky took the reigns as the new SPL with Josh as his assistant. Everett and Jason assumed their roles as the patrol leaders of the new Eagle and Mountaineer patrols with Joe and Ethan as their assistants, respectively. A new program staff was created to plan and provide instruction at the troop meetings. Louie will head this new endeavor as the lead troop guide with Creighton as his assistant and Michael as the new lead instructor. More photos from the event are found in the online photo gallery.

New youth leadership is sworn in at the Court of Honor. 

      Following a raucous game of dirty Santa, which included some very nice gifts this year, we loaded up the collected toys and headed for Auburn Fire Station 1. The Toys for Tots collection by the Auburn Public Safety Department has become an annual service project for the troop. It was a fitting way to cap off the year.

The troop stands with members of the Auburn Fire Department
in support of the annual Toys for Tots service project. 

      Not only does the troop have much to be proud of, we have much to look forward to in 2016. Our scouts have worked hard to make this an excellent program. The strong commitment of our parents and adult volunteers have also made this possible, along with the support of the Auburn Rotary Club and the First Presbyterian Church. Everyone working together for the good of the troop is what makes this work.



   

'Tis the season

SPL Will (right) and incoming SPL Andrew (left) call the court of honor to order
prior to the dinner and Friends of Scouting portion of the court of honor program.

Troop 50 Scouts, leaders, and families gathered at First Presbyterian Church on Monday, Dec. 15 for food, fellowship, and awards as part of its annual Christmas court of honor and party. The evening offered a chance for the troop to highlight the hard work of Scouts' advancement efforts, to install new troop leadership, and to celebrate giving and fellowship of the season.

In addition to collecting toys for the Auburn Fire Department's "Toys for Tots" program, Troop 50 joined together in support of the Chattahoochee Council's "Friends of Scouting" program. Charter Organization Representative Michael Tullier offered a brief overview of the FOS program and invited families to consider contributing in support of the council's fundraising initiative. By the end of the meeting, troop families had exceeded its fundraising goal by contributing or pledging more than $2,500 in support of the council.

Aiden (center) accepts his Second Class rank patch from
Scoutmaster Baird, SPL Will, and incoming SPL Andrew.

Senior Patrol Leader Will, with the help of Scoutmaster Andrew Baird and incoming Senior Patrol Leader Andrew, presented four merit badges and 16 ranks to Scouts in the troop. Ranks ranged from the Scout rank for the troop's newest Scout, to Star rank earned by Scouts who joined the troop just 18 months ago.

The troop's newly selected youth leaders, (left to right) SPL Andrew,
Troop Guide Michael, ASPL Will, and Patrol Leaders Louie and Josh,
accept the oath of office from Scoutmaster Baird.

New assistant scoutmasters (left to right): Will Levendis,
Wes Williams, and Billy Lytle.

Following the presentation of awards, Scoutmaster Baird called forward the troop's recently elected youth leaders to be installed. At the troop's Dec. 8 meeting, Scouts elected Andrew, a founding member of the troop, as its new senior patrol leader — the second time during his tenure in the troop to be elected to serve in this capacity. Andrew selected outgoing SPL Will as his assistant senior patrol leader. The troop also elected Louie and Josh as new patrol leaders — the first opportunity for either to be elected to serve in these positions. Finally, Michael was appointed to the post of troop guide.

Overcome with appreciation for Mr. Baird's
high praise for his two terms as the
troop's senior patrol leader, outgoing SPL
Will couldn't hold back the second
hug-the-scoutmaster moment of the evening.

Mr. Baird continued to highlight troop leadership by officially installing the troop's newest Eagle Scout, Ethan Smith, as junior assistant scoutmaster. He also presented assistant scoutmaster position patches to three of the troop's newest adult leaders: Billy Lytle, Wes Williams, and Will Levendis. Scoutmaster Baird concluded his focus on troop leadership by paying tribute to the leadership shown by outgoing SPL Will during this two consecutive terms as senior patrol leader. To commemorate Will's commitment to the troop, Scoutmaster Baird presented Will with a handmade wooden neckerchief slide featuring the profile image of a Native American chief. The presentation resulted in a spontaneous hug — Mr. Baird's second one of the evening!

Scouts and some of the leaders gathered around for the "Dirty Santa" gift exchange, where there seemed to be a carefully selected gag gift for every practical one opened. A variety of camping gadgets became hot commodities that were stolen a few times during the gift-swapping.

Scouts with Auburn firefighters and some of the toys donated by
the troop to the fire department's annual Toys for Tots toy drive.

Following the gift exchanges, Scouts and leaders ventured from the church to the Auburn Fire Department, delivering the toys donated by the troop's families. Toys for toddlers, board-game players and sports fanatics were all part of the dozens of items donated for less fortunate children in the community who are helped through the firefighters' annual toy-drive program.

The troop will take off the next few Mondays to enjoy the holidays (and the the vacation from school) with their families. The troop's next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, Jan. 12, 2015.

For more photos from the court of honor and Christmas party, visit the troop's online photo album.

Wrapping up 2013

In the spirit of the Christmas season, Troop 50 "wrapped up" its first full year as a troop with its now-annual Christmas Court of Honor and Party. Scouts, leaders and families gathered in Baird Hall at First Presbyterian Church Monday evening to celebrate the accomplishments of individual Scouts and newly elected youth leaders, not to mention the spirit of the Christmas season with a gift exchange and toy donation drive. At the end of the meeting, the troop trekked to the Auburn Fire Department downtown station to present (as pictured above) the many toys donated by Scouts and their families.

Alan Spencer discusses the council's
annual Friends of Scouting campaign.

Also in the spirit of giving, the troop hosted a Friends of Scouting presentation, offered by Saugahatchee District Executive Alan Spencer. Friends of Scouting is the annual fundraising drive by the Chattahoochee Council that offers Scouting families the opportunity to invest in local programming, services, and facilities offered by the council. Later in the meeting, Mr. Spencer reported that Troop 50 families donated or pledged nearly $1,700 in charitable gifts to the council for the coming year.

ASPL Vincent congratulates Mark on the
merit badges he earned.

During the court of honor portion of the evening, Scoutmaster Andrew Baird, Senior Patrol Leader Andrew, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Vincent presented a number of rank advancements to Scouts, as well as merit badges earned through troop meetings and the recent Saugahatchee District Advance-a-Rama.

Following the awarding of merit badges and ranks, Scoutmaster Baird invited newly elected Senior Patrol Leader Will, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader John, Patrol Leaders Andrew and Vincent, and Assistant Patrol Leaders Andy and Louie, to receive the oath of office for their positions. They, along with recently appointed Junior Assistant Scoutmaster Jake, will form the troop's Patrol Leaders' Council for the first half of 2014.

Scoutmaster Baird administers the oath of office to (left to right)
Jake, Louie, Andrew, Vincent, Andy, John and Will.

Scoutmaster Baird also recognized the outgoing leadership efforts provided by SPL Andrew and ASPL Vincent. Each received a framed certificate, troop patch and the position patch for the positions in which they served throughout the fall.

Andy and his coveted
eyeglasses straw!

Fun and games were next on the agenda, and Scouts (along with Mr. Baird) swap and "stole" gifts in a game of "Dirty Santa." Among this year's gifts were a Bruster's gift card hidden among leaves and a bag of coal in a box, a pooping reindeer Christmas decoration (which no one seemed to want to take from Mr. Baird), camping items, and a pair of straw eyeglasses, which went home with Andy. The troop followed the gift exchange by splitting into patrols for a game of Scouting-themed Jeopardy. Categories included topics such as "Tying it Up" (knots), "Dress the Part" (uniforming) and "Paging Dr. Boy Scout" (first aid).

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Baird congratulated everyone on their achievements for the year. This included the troop achieving, in its first year of eligibility, the status of being a "Gold Unit" in the Boy Scouts' "Journey to Excellence" program. The JTE program is the measure of a unit's progress and success during the year in such areas as advancement, membership, training, camping, service, parental involvement and budgeting -- and the gold level is the highest level a unit can achieve. The troop concluded the evening by walking down to the fire station to deliver its donated toys.

Visit the troop's online photo album to view all the photos from the Christmas Court of Honor and Party.

Troop celebrates Christmas, donates to Toys for Tots

Scouts and families came together for the troop's December 17th meeting to celebrate Christmas with food, games and a Toys for Tots toy drive collection. Following dinner, Scouts attempted to stump the scoutmaster with a knot of their choice, then the scoutmaster in turn stumped Scouts through a couple of games that seemed to demonstrate a level of psychic ability among the troop's adult leaders.

The event ended with Scouts and leaders walking the nearly two dozen toys to the Auburn Fire Station as part of the Fire Department’s annual toy drive. Pictured kneeling are (L-R): Ethan S., Vincent C., Will P., Andrew S., Josh F.; standing (L-R): Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford, Assistant Scoutmaster Jason Smith, Scoutmaster Andrew Baird, Davis B., Robert P., James Robert A., Kyle S., Davis T., Battalion Chief Matt Jordan and Firefighter Douglas McElvy.

Check out other photos from the night in the troop's online photo album.