Beautifying our parks

On Saturday, Nov. 20, Troop 50 Scouts and leaders partnered with members of the Auburn Rotary Club and the City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Department for a conversation service project at the Graham McTeer Park in Auburn. Three new hyacinth flower bulb beds at the park honor the memory of Dr. Ford Laumer, a longtime Rotarian who passed away in 2020. The bulbs should bloom in early- to mid-spring.

Dr. Ford Laumer outside the Auburn Alumni Center
(source: Auburn Alumni Association)

An Auburn graduate who also served as SGA president, Dr. Laumer was a Navy veteran. He eventually returned to his alma mater for graduate studies and later taught marketing in the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business before his retirement. He endeared himself to his students and the university community, and advised numerous professional and student organizations. This included Camp War Eagle, the university cheerleaders, and the Aubie mascot program.

In his retirement, he, along with his wife Mary Jane, was a faithful member of Auburn United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir and served the food pantry ministry.

Troop 50 is proud to be chartered, or sponsored, by the Auburn Rotary Club. The troop frequently assists the Rotary Club with its community service projects. Likewise, many of the troop’s Eagle Scout leadership service projects benefit City of Auburn Parks and Recreation properties.

For additional photos from the service day, visit the troop’s online photo album.

Troop 50 updates Auburn Rotarians on activities, achievements

On Wednesday, July 31, Troop 50 scouts and leaders were present at the weekly meeting of the Auburn Rotary Club to provide the troop’s charter organization with an update on troop activities during the past year. Rotarian and the troop’s charter organization representative, Michael Tullier, hosted the group.

Leading the presentation was Scoutmaster Andrew Baird, who reported to Rotarians that, in 2018, the troop qualified as a “Gold Unit” under the Boy Scouts of America’s “Journey to Excellence” program. This was in part to its individual Scout advancement efforts, which included 35 awarded ranks (of which three were the rank of Eagle Scout) and 99 earned merit badges. Journey to Excellence also evaluates a unit’s year-round activities, which for Troop 50 Scouts and leaders included 408 collective nights of camping, 154 collective miles of hiking, and 971 collective hours of service.

Following Mr. Baird’s overview, several Scouts shared with Rotarians about their troop involvement. Senior Patrol Leader Camp spoke about his progress toward earning the Eagle Scout rank — specifically his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project to fence the McLain Garden at the Lee County Historical Society’s Pioneer Park in Loachapoka.

Camp’s younger brother James talked about his experiences as one of the troop’s newest Scouts. He noted how regular monthly campouts helping him develop new Scout skills and advance in rank. Finally, Camp and James’ middle sibling, Will, summarized the troop’s summer camp experience this past June at Camp Rainey Mountain in Clayton, Georgia. There, he and other Scouts were able to make significant progress toward earning merit badges as they deepen friendships.

Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford wrapped up the presentation by thanking the Rotary Club for its ongoing financial support, as well as inviting Rotarians to serve as merit badge counselors. Mr. Stanford noted that anyone with hobby-level knowledge to professional expertise on a specific topic could share their subject-matter expertise as a merit badge counselor for a single Scout or group of Scouts.

For more information about Troop 50, visit www.boyscout50.org or read more about the troop's activities here on its blog.

Journey to Excellence

       For the sixth straight year (which is every full year of the troop's existence) Troop 50 has achieved gold status in the BSA assessment process known as Journey to Excellence. The program is a self-evaluation which allows units, districts, and councils to measure their strengths with a goal of continual improvement. The unit scorecard contains eleven objectives in the fields of Planning and Budget, Membership, Program, and Volunteer Leadership; and rates various metrics at bronze, silver, and gold levels.

       In 2018, Troop 50 met ten out of eleven objectives. We received gold scores in recruitment (due to a 19.2 percent growth for the year), retention (91.7 percent of the scouts remained in the troop at

year's end), advancement (71 percent of our scouts advanced by at least one rank), and leadership & family engagement (due to our large number of registered leaders and parental involvement). We also scored in the silver range for our camping program, consistent use of the patrol method, and our Webelos to Scout transition plans. We received a total score of 1250 points to achieve gold status, which required us to meet at least eight objectives with a collective total of 1000 points.

       The troop has much to be proud of in 2018. Our scouts collectively earned ninety-nine merit badges and had thirty-five rank advancements. This included three new Eagle Scouts and six Eagle Palms. In fact, we now have four Eagle Scouts who have each earned Bronze, Gold, and Silver Palms. Scouts and adult leaders together spent 408 nights of camping, hiked 154 miles, and gave 971 hours of service to the community. These numbers not only reflect on the commitment by the scouts to the program but also the high level of support that we receive from adult volunteers, parents, our charter partners at the Auburn Rotary Club, and the members of the First Presbyterian Church and Auburn United Methodist Church. This meaningful support gives us what we need to meet the troop's mission to GATHER young men into a quality scouting program, GROW them into servant leaders, and GO into the community in service and fellowship.

Troop continues annual service partnerships

A pair of community service projects in February and March allowed Scouts, leaders and families of to continue the troop’s ongoing partnerships with the Food Bank of East Alabama and the Auburn Rotary Club.

On Saturday, Feb. 24, the troop again provided onsite support at the Food Bank as part of Saugahatchee District’s annual Scouting for Food drive. This year's drive represents the fifth year that the troop has provided logistics support for the district-wide food drive. Troop 50 staffed the Food Bank by receiving, unloading, weighing and sorting the 5,400-plus pounds of food delivered by Cub Scout packs and Boy Scout troops that went door to door throughout the county collecting food left on doorsteps and by mailboxes.

On Saturday, Mar. 31, Troop 50 partnered with its charter organization, the Auburn Rotary Club, as part of the club’s annual workday at the city’s Hickory Dickory Park. Scouts and leaders joined Rotarians and their family members to help remulch the park’s play areas.

These efforts are just two of the many year-round, troop-wide projects and individually led Eagle Scout leadership service projects through which Troop 50 Scouts fulfill its mission of going into the community in service and fellowship. In 2017, service as part of these efforts accounted for more than 1,345 collective hours of community service provided by Scouts and leaders.

Visit the troop’s online photo album for additional photos from our service efforts at the Food Bank of East Alabama and Hickory DickoryPark.

Scouts, leaders report annual progress to Rotary Club

On Wednesday, Nov. 29, Eagle Scouts Louie Harris, Creighton Williams and Nicky Zuk (center, left to right) joined Chartered Organization Representative Michael Tullier (far left) and Scoutmaster Andrew Baird (far right) to make the troop's annual "state-of-the-troop" presentation to the Auburn Rotary Club. The club serves as the troop's charter organization, or sponsor, and makes an annual financial allocation to support the troop's activities.

Mr. Baird shared with Rotarians the troop's activities and progress as of the end of 2016 (as depicted in the infographic to the right), as well as throughout 2017. He summarized many of the troop's backpacking, team-building, high-adventure and educational trips and camping outings He also highlighted the troop's service efforts, which include partnering with the Rotary Club on its annual remulching effort at Hickory Dickory Park.

The trio of Eagle Scouts shared with Rotarians progress toward earning their Eagle Scout ranks, including efforts to complete their Eagle Scout leadership service projects, as well as the leadership experiences Scouting has afforded them during their time in the troop. Louie and Nicky recounted their summer experience at Philmont National Scout Ranch in New Mexico. Creighton discussed his experience as a National Jamboree participant in addition to being part of the Philmont expedition.

Mr. Tullier concluded the presentation by inviting Rotarians to consider serving as merit badge counselors for one of Scouting's 130-plus merit badges.

Pictured above with the Troop 50 contingent is Auburn Rotary Club President Chris Warren.

Partners in service

On Saturday, March 25, Troop 50 Scouts, leaders and family members joined with its chartering organization, the Rotary Club of Auburn, as part of the Rotary Club's annual workday at Auburn's Hickory Dickory Park. Each year, Auburn Rotarians converge on the part as part of its "March Mulch Madness" to refresh the mulch beds that pad the park's various play areas and to put into practice Rotary International's motto of "service above self." The 11 Troop 50 volunteers were part of a group of 45 total volunteers that also included Rotarians and their family members.

Tyson (with the shovel) and
Rusty (maneuvering the wheelbarrow)

Normally, the Auburn Rotary Club budgets four hours to complete the mulching of the play areas and the spraying of wooden surfaces to eliminate mildew. However, thanks to the unusually large group of volunteers, the work was completed in half the time. The troop accumulated more than 20 service hours through the contributions of its volunteers. For some Scouts, those service hours will go toward requirements to earn their next rank or to complete a variety of merit badges.

For more photos from the Rotary Club service day, visit the troop's online photo album.

2016...by the numbers

Troop 50 Scouts and leaders had a great deal of success to be thankful for in 2016. Eight monthly campout outings and a week-long summer camp fueled Scouts' efforts to sharpen their Scouting skills, earn merit badges, and advance in rank. These, and the troop's service-minded focus, enabled it to qualify as a 2015 Gold Unit under the Boy Scouts of America's "Journey to Excellence" program.

Biking into a new troop year

Troop 50 kicked off the start of a new troop year on Saturday, Aug. 15 with an afternoon of mountain biking at Chewacla State Park, followed by the end-of-the-summer court of honor.

Some of Troop 50's "mountain pedalers" on the trail

Chewacla State Park offers beginner to advanced riders more than 15 miles of first-class, single track mountain biking trails that zig-zag through the park, thanks to the park's partnership with CAMP — Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers.

The mountain-biking experience includes everything from switchbacks, rocky terrain, bridges, inclined and elevated ramps, a wooden wall ride, and a newly developed BMX trail — and Scouts, leaders, and parents sampled most of them. Those enjoying the biking challenges divided into two groups and set out for the trails. By the end of the ride, the groups had each logged between three and four miles of mountain-biking.

Scouts and leaders enjoy a pit stop during the afternoon of biking — some continued on to more
challenging trails, while most made the break a permanent pit stop for the day!

As biking wound down, more Scouts, leaders, and parents began arriving for the late-afternoon court of honor. Nearly 80 Scouts, leaders, and parents had gathered by the time the court of honor was called to order and the subsequent line formed at the buffet featuring the culinary skills of troop families and the grilling expertise of Assistant Scoutmaster Jason Smith.

Court of honor masters of ceremonies included (right to left) Senior Patrol Leader Louie,
patrol leaders Nicky and Creighton, and Scoutmaster Andrew Baird

The troop's youth leadership served as masters of ceremonies, which included Senior Patrol Leader Louie, Carnivorous Pandas Patrol Leader Nicky, Outdoorsmen Patrol Leader Creighton, and Scoutmaster Andrew Baird. Together, they presented 75 merit badges and 11 rank advancements — the majority the result of the troop's summer camp experience at Camp Sequoyah, but which also included Scouts' efforts to complete a number or merit badges that either were partially completed or achieved through their one-on-one efforts with merit badge counselors.

Scouts gather in appreciation of the Auburn Rotary Club's ongoing support.

The troop concluded its court of honor by helping its chartered organization, the Auburn Rotary Club, celebrate its annual Rotary Day - conducted the day before - by paying tribute to Rotary's support of Troop 50. In addition to its annual financial support, the Rotary Club also awarded the troop a recent one-time grant to purchase new tents.

Members of the troop's Patrol Leaders' Council show off their efforts
setting up our new troop tents for the first time.

At the troop's Patrol Leaders' Council meeting the Monday evening following the court of honor, the troop's youth leaders familiarized themselves with the new tents purchased with community grant funds from the Auburn Rotary Club.

Following the court of honor, as a "thank you" to Chewacla State Park for hosting its afternoon events, the troop conducted a service project by picking up litter around the beach pavilion.

View additional photos from the afternoon on the troop's online photo album.

Expressing thanks and reporting success

On July 8, Scouts and leaders made the troop's annual "state-of-the-troop" presentation to the Auburn Rotary Club, which is the troop's charter organization. In addition to having the opportunity to express appreciation for and outline how the troop has benefited from Rotary Club's annual funding allocation, this presentation also allowed the troop to thank Rotarians for its recent $600 community needs grant allocation to purchase new, much-needed tents.

Representatives of the troop presenting at the July 8 Auburn Rotary Club meeting included:
(front row, L to R) Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford, Senior Patrol Leader Louie,
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Andrew; (back row, L to R) Scoutmaster Andrew Baird; and
Chartered Organization Representative and Auburn Rotary Club President-Elect Michael Tullier.
Pictured with the group is Auburn Rotary Club President Brad Wilson.

Inaugural James J. Baird Jr. Honor Scout Award recipient Andrew with
members of Jim Baird's family: wife Jean Baird, daughter Mary Baird,
and nephew and troop scoutmaster Andrew Baird. The award was
 presented at the troop's June 1 court of honor.

In addition to providing a troop overview and highlighting recent troop service projects, activities and outings, Scoutmaster Andrew Baird noted the creation of the James J. Baird Jr. Honor Scout Award, named in memory of his uncle and past Auburn Rotary Club President and Rotary District 6880 Assistant Governor Jim Baird. Inaugural award recipient Andrew shared with Rotarians about his upcoming Eagle Scout leadership service project, which he will begin this weekend.

Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford discussed the troop committee's administrative oversight and how adult and youth leadership is structured. He introduced Senior Patrol Leader Louie who shared about his favorite recent troop activities in addition to his own familial connections to Rotary International.

Assistant Scoutmaster Wes Williams and son Creighton,
recently elected as one of the troop's new patrol leaders,
also attending the Rotary Club meeting.

Chartered Organization Representative Michael Tullier, who also serves in the capacity of one of the troop's assistant scoutmasters as well as president-elect of the Auburn Rotary Club, explained to Rotarians the club's "ownership" of the troop and charged them with engaging with the troop by supporting its fundraisers, volunteering as Eagle Scout service project mentors, consultants, and volunteers or as troop leaders, as well as sharing their vocational and personal expertise as merit badge counselors. More than 130 opportunities exist through the merit badge program that allow those with knowledge, skills or talents they have acquired through their educational, career, or hobby endeavors as merit badge counselors. Rotarians with an interest in any of these opportunities can contact Michael Tullier for more information. Tullier also chairs the club's Scouting Committee, and and fellow Rotarian and Assistant Scoutmaster Bryan Herrit serve on the committee as well.

The Auburn Rotary Club expresses appreciation to its weekly program speakers by placing a book in their honor on the shelves of the Auburn Public Library. Chris Warren, director of the library and secretary of the Auburn Rotary Club, selects a book germane to the speaker or the topic. To recognize the troop's presentation, he selected How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk. The book, commonly referred to as the "parenting bible," and the authors, who have been called "the Dr. Spock of this generation," offer fresh insights, suggestions and time-tested methods to solving common problems and building foundations for communicating with today's youth.

Troop 50 was one of 15 Lee County nonprofit organizations receiving grants totaling nearly $34,000
in charitable support from the Auburn Rotary Club through its 2015 Community Needs Grant Program.

Scoutmaster Baird accepts an Auburn Rotary community
needs grant from Club President Brad Wilson and
Community Grants Allocation Committee Chair Allison Moore.

At the Auburn Rotary Club's July 1 meeting, the club awarded nearly $34,000 in grants to 15 community-based organizations — including Troop 50, which received a $600 grant to purchase tents. The new tents will not only replace some aging tents, but will accommodate the need for additional tents resulting from growth during the past couple of years. This grant support results from the Rotary Club's year-round fundraising efforts, which includes its annual Rotary Riches fundraising initiative.

Honoring advancement, leadership and a Scouting legacy

Troop 50 Scouts, leaders, and families gathered for more than the presentation of merit badges and ranks, and the installation of new youth leaders at the troop's June 1 court of honor. The 2015 spring court of honor marked the inaugural presentation of a new troop award recognizing the achievements of its "honor Scout" and paying tribute to the legacy of an Eagle Scout with several ties to Troop 50.

Scouts' advancement progress included the presentation of nine First Class ranks
and nearly 30 merit badges.

Following an opening by Senior Patrol Leader Andrew and a lavish dinner spread provided in large part through the culinary talents of troop parents, the official awards program began with the presentation of merit badges. Many of these merit badges resulted from Scouts' participation in the December 2013 Saugahatchee District Advance-a-Rama, the troop's Disability Awareness Merit Badge session at its April 27 meeting, and a variety of merit badges begun at summer camp or during the troop's other outdoor activities.

(Top) Scoutmaster Baird congratulations the troop's nine newest First Class Scouts, and
(bottom) SPL Andrew (far right) with some of the troop's newest Scouts: (left to right) Miles,
Carl, Zach, and Clay.

In addition to merit badge presentations, the troop presented the First Class rank to nine of its Scouts, and recognized its newest Scouts who received the Scout rank at a previous meeting.

Scoutmaster Baird administers the oath of office to the troop's new cadre of youth leadership
(right to left): Louie, senior patrol leader; Andrew, assistant senior patrol leader;
Creighton, patrol leader; Josh, assistant patrol leader; Nicky, patrol leader;
Michael, assistant patrol leader; and Clay, quartermaster. Not pictured is Liam, troop guide.

The spring court of honor traditionally includes the mid-year transition of youth leadership, so in addition to recognizing SPL Andrew's second term in the position (he served as the troop's second senior patrol leader during the latter half of 2013), the troop installed recently elected and selected youth leaders who will serve in their positions until the end of the year. Scoutmaster Baird introduced Louie who had been elected as the troop's new senior patrol leader, and outgoing SPL Andrew who Louie selected as his assistant senior patrol leader. During the troop's recent elections, Creighton and Nicky had been elected as patrol leaders, and they selected Josh and Michael, respectively, as their assistant patrol leaders. Troop leadership selected Clay as the troop's incoming quartermaster and Liam as its troop guide.

Troop 50's inaugural James J. Baird Jr. Honor Scout Award recipient, Andrew, with Jim Baird's wife Jean, daughter Mary Baird, and nephew and Troop 50 Scoutmaster Andrew Baird.

Mementos of Jim Baird's achievement of the
rank of Eagle Scout: his Eagle Scout medal and
letter of congratulations from
then-Chief Scout Executive Elbert Fretwell.

The final presentation of the evening was the troop's inaugural presentation of the James J. Baird Jr. Honor Scout Award, which was awarded to outgoing SPL Andrew. Beginning with the spring 2015 court of honor, this award will be given annually to 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 Andrew Baird and recipient of the Eagle Scout rank in 1945 as a member of Troop 88 of Bessemer, Ala., who passed away in 2011. A 1954 graduate of Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now known as Auburn University), Jim Baird's ties to Troop 50 include membership in the Auburn Rotary Club (the troop's chartered organization) as a Paul Harris Fellow and service as its 2002-03 club president. Furthermore, he was an elder of First Presbyterian Church (the troop's meeting location), which honored him through the naming of Baird Hall in recognition of his management of the church's facilities and several building projects.

The court of honor will be the troop's last official Monday evening gathering until the troop resumes its regular meeting schedule on August 3. Between now and then, the troop will venture to Camp Sequoyah next week and gather periodically during the summer for a variety of fellowship and advancement activities. Consult the troop calendar and Troop Web Host for more details.

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

Troop makes first appearance at Rotary's 'March Mulch Madness'

In just a few hours, Rotarians and Scouts whittled down this
pile of mulch to about a third of the size by refreshing the
mulched play areas throughout the park.

March is known to many for the incessant amount of college basketball available on television, but for members of the Auburn Rotary Club, March is the time Rotarians gather at Auburn Parks and Recreation's Hickory Dickory Park to remulch the park's play areas and perform other service projects. "March Mulch Madness" is just one of the many community service initiatives of the club, which is the chartering organization for Troop 50. In all, more than 30 Rotarians and Troop 50 members gathered at the park on Saturday, March 28 at 7 a.m. to not only remulch the grounds, but to re-waterproof the wooden portions of the multi-level play structure.

The rising sun peeking from behind the park's towers greeted Scouts
and Rotarians who arrived at the park in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The only park featuring its type of expansive play structure in Auburn, Hickory Dickory Park is located at the end of Hickory Lane and was renamed from Hickory Lane Park in 1999 when the city and community volunteers constructed the current playground.

By the time the group completed the project, the troop's 15 Scouts, leaders, families and friends who attended collectively logged 52 hours of community service, thereby continuing to fulfill the portions of the troop's mission that address growing its members into servant leaders and going into the community in service and fellowship.

A letter of appreciation sent to the troop by City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Director
Becky Richardson, who is also a member of the Auburn Rotary Club.

For more photos from the service project, visit the troop's online photo album.

Leadership makes annual 'state-of-the-troop' report to Auburn Rotary

Baird and Tullier with Club President Jim McLaughlin

On March 19, Scoutmaster Andrew Baird and Chartered Organization Representative Michael Tullier visited with the Auburn Rotary Club and made its annual "state-of-the-troop" report. The presentation has become an annual practice after starting the tradition with its first state-of-the-troop report last March.

The Rotary Club charters (or sponsors) Troop 50, and Michael is a member of the club. In addition to offering an general overview of Scouting, the pair summarized troop organization, recent troop activities, and ways Rotarians could be involved as volunteer merit badge counselors, Eagle Scout mentors, and assistant scoutmasters or troop committee members.

Thanks to troop committee members and troop parents Jim Perry (who is also an Auburn Rotarian), Jill Perry, and Bob Harris for representing Troop 50 through their attendance. View the state-of-the-troop presentation below.

Leaders make first 'state-of-the-troop' report to Auburn Rotary

Troop 50 leaders had the first opportunity to make a state-of-the-troop report to members of the Auburn Rotary Club, which serves as the troop's chartered organization. The contingent included (staring second from left) Scoutmaster Andrew Baird, Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford, and Chartered Organization Representative and Auburn Rotarian Michael Tullier. They are pictured with Martee Moseley, the club's president. Troop Committee member and Auburn Rotarian Jim Perry was also present.

The three Troop 50 leaders outlined the basics of the Boy Scouting program, shared an account of troop organization and of recent meetings and outings, and offered opportunities for Auburn Rotarians to serve as troop leaders, mentors and merit badge counselors. Most importantly, the update allowed the troop to inform Rotarians of how the annual financial investment Auburn Rotary makes in Troop 50 benefits Scouts and provides the necessary financial support to underwrite event, equipment and registration expenses.

Check out what we did to our trailer!

There will be no mistaking Troop 50 when we hit the road for our next campout! New troop shirts in February, and now our trailer bears the Troop 50 logo. Thanks to Sign World of Auburn for applying our signage, and Master Graphics in Auburn for giving us our new look, there will be no mistaking where Troop 50 is heading!

 

We're also proud to make our chartered organization, the Rotary Club of Auburn, part of our trailer as a way of saying "thanks" for all they've done to get our troop started up and going in such a short amount of time. If you know a Rotarian, or someone who works at Sign World or Master Graphics, please thank them for their support of Troop 50!