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.

Troop celebrates Thurow as its 26th Eagle Scout

This spring, Troop 50 bestowed the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank during a ceremony honoring new Eagle Scout Hunter Thurow. He is the son of Brian and Jennifer Thurow of Auburn. Thurow is the troop’s 26th Eagle Scout since its founding in 2012. His Eagle Scout ceremony was held on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Auburn United Methodist Church.

Hunter (right) and Miles (left)
accept the "Eagle Scout Charge" and make the
"Eagle Scout Promise."

Hunter’s Eagle Scout ceremony, held at Auburn United Methodist Church was a joint ceremony also honoring Miles Ballard, the troop’s 25th Eagle Scout. The two have been longtime friends both in and outside Scouting. The ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 20 included fellow Scouts, leaders, family and friends. Senior Patrol Leader Connor oversaw the presentation of colors, followed by welcomes from Scoutmaster Andrew Baird. The ceremony included a reading of the “Trail to Eagle” by Miles’ grandfather, John Ballard, as well as the “Eagle Scout Challenge” by fellow Scouts that reminded everyone of the symbolism behind the colors of the Eagle Scout badge, the significance of the Scout Oath and Law in our daily lives, as well as the foundation they have and will provide Hunter.

Scoutmaster Baird oversaw the official presentation of the Eagle Scout rank to Hunter. This included administering the “Eagle Scout Charge” and the “Eagle Scout Promise.” Hunter’s parents joined in the presentation of the insignia marking his achievement of the Eagle Scout rank, and Hunter in turn presented both of his parents with Eagle Scout mother’s and father’s pins. On behalf of the troop, Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford presented Hunter with membership in the National Eagle Scout Association — a tradition dating back to the troop’s first Eagle Scout in 2013.

Hunter with some of his Eagle Scout mentors (left to right): project coach and
Assistant Scoutmaster J.P. Pendleton, Scoutmaster Andrew Baird, and
Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford

Following tradition, Hunter recognized several special leaders and adults with Eagle Scout mentor pins, which signify the special roles they played in his advancement efforts and in completing his Eagle Scout leadership service project. These mentors included former Assistant Scoutmaster and Cub Scout Pack 29 leader Clyde Wikle; assistant scoutmasters Michael Tullier and Wes Williams; Eagle Scout leadership service project coach J.P. Pendleton; Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford; Scoutmaster Andrew Baird; and his parents Brian and Jen Thurow.

Hunter surrounded by his family following the Eagle Scout ceremony.

Hunter's grandfather, C.T. Thurow, concluded the Eagles Scout ceremony with a closing prayer.

Hunter's "Trail to Eagle"

Hunter joined Troop 50 in April 2015 after earning the Webelos Rank and Arrow of Light in Cub Scout Pack 29, charted by Auburn United Methodist Church. During his tenure in Troop 50, he has served in several leadership positions including instructor, patrol leader, lead troop guide, and assistant senior patrol leader. He earned 26 merit badges, which also later qualified him for a Bronze Palm. During his tenure in Troop 50, he accrued 61 nights of camping, 78 service hours (outside his own Eagle Scout leadership service project), 82 hiking miles and eight paddling miles. In August 2021, he was inducted into the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s national honor society.

For his Eagle Scout leadership service project, Hunter planned and led volunteers to enhance and refurbish the nature trail at Yarbrough Elementary School, where he was a student. In addition to improving the trail bed itself, the project encompassed restoring and replacing species-identification markers for trees on the trail. Family, friends, and fellow Scouts and leaders logged around 90 service hours planning and carrying out the project.

After completing the Eagle Scout rank requirements, which included planning and executing his service project, Hunter appeared before the Saugahatchee District’s Eagle Scout Board on Sept. 12, 2021. He is among four Troop 50 Scouts to earn the Eagle Scout rank during 2021.

Hunter graduated in May from Auburn High School. He begins his studies at Auburn University during the Fall 2022 semester.

About the Eagle Scout Rank

Since the first Eagle Scout was awarded in 1912, more than 2.5 million Boy Scouts have completed the Eagle Scout’s performance-based rank requirements, which currently include serving in progressive leadership positions, demonstrating outdoor and Scouting skill competencies, earning at least 21 merit badges, and planning and executing a seminal Eagle Scout leadership service project.

For more photos from Hunter’s Eagle Scout Ceremony, visit the troop’s online photo album.

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.

Paying tribute to the victims of war

The troop left Auburn on Saturday, Nov. 6 for a two-day campout and visit to the Andersonville National Historic Site in Andersonville, Georgia. The site, managed by the National Park Service, gives visitors a glimpse into the plight of prisoners of war—especially those Civil War Union soldiers detained behind enemy lines by the Confederate Army. The visit coincided with the nation’s annual Veterans Day observance on Nov. 11.

Jake, Jackson and Connor view some of the Prisoner of War
Museum artifacts.

The Andersonville National Historic Site includes several historic properties: the National Prisoner of War Museum; the site of Camp Sumter, the most infamous of Civil War-era Confederate prisons; and the Andersonville National Cemetery. The park’s historic trail questionnaire helped guide the contingent's journey through Civil War history by challenging Scouts to glean facts from displays and kiosks throughout the site.

The troop began its walking tour at the National Prisoner of War Museum, which since opening in 1998, has told the story of POWs throughout American history. Visitors are met with an exhibit answering the question “What is a POW?” Hands-on and multimedia displays following that introduction explore themes of capture, living conditions, news and communications, morale and relationships, and escape and freedom.

The next stop on the historic hike was the site of Camp Sumter, also known as Andersonville Prison. The historic prison site is comprised by 26.5 acres outlined with double rows of white posts to indicate the location of the original prison walls. Two sections of the stockade wall have been reconstructed—the north gate and the northeast corner. In walking the grounds, Scouts and leaders learned more about the living conditions faced by those imprisoned there, their efforts to escape, and by browsing the various monuments on the property, the number of Union POWs who lost their lives as war prisoners.

Teams pitted themselves against each other to come up with the most creative—
and impervious—POW lean-to.

After lunch, the troop returned to the stockade area, where in service to the park, they constructed prisoner-style lean-to structures using some of the same materials that would have been available to Union POWs of the day. These shelters would have been what POWs called home and where they would have sought refuge from the sweltering Georgia sun and heat, as well as rain and cold. The troop divided into thirds to put their creativity to the test—along with their construction and knot-tying skills.

The troop gathered at the cemetery's "Georgia Monument,"
dedicated on Memorial Day 1976 to honor all American POWs.

Following their shelter-building efforts, the troop resumed its historic fact-finding hike in the Andersonville National Cemetery. Initial interments, beginning in February 1864, were trench burials of the prisoners who died in the nearby military prison. Today the cemetery contains nearly 20,000 interments—including the nearly 13,000 soldiers who died during their imprisonment at Camp Sumter. The cemetery is one of 14 administered by the National Park Service and remains open and active for burials. Scouts took an interest in the variety of symbols used on headstones to represent religious beliefs and personal philosophies.

The troop returned to its campsite (they made a brief stop upon their arrival in Andersonville to set up camp and personal tents) to ready for dinner. It’s always a great time when we can celebrate special occasions and milestones during campouts. This campout, the Leadership Corps helped Jackson’s 14th birthday with a hearty helping of cherry cobbler (complete with whipped cream, of course!). Following dinner, some of the troop gathered around a roaring campfire, while others headed to bed to insulate themselves for the evening temps in the 40s (and the extra hour of sleep the change in Daylight Savings Time promised).

Patrol Leader Beck mastering the camp oven as part of
Sunday's breakfast prep.

Sunday’s devotional program, led by assistant scoutmaster and chaplain Michael Tullier, centered on mission statements—especially the troop’s, which ascribes to “gather young men into a quality Scouting program, grow them into servant leaders, and go into the community in service and fellowship.” Scouts and leaders focused on personal and biblical perspectives of “servant leadership” and how the troop fulfills it through its activities, service projects and personal activities.

At part of its post-campout critique, the troop's Patrol Leaders Council the following Monday classified the campout as “smooth” and “well-run.” They liked the campout’s educational aspects, complimented Scouts on their quick campsite setup, and overall good menu-planning and preparation. They did note a lacking depth of patrol leadership, but especially credited Wizard Lizards Patrol Leader Beck for his leadership of the troop’s combined patrol over the weekend. They also said they would have benefited from more time in the park and museum.

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

'A Scout is helpful'

On Saturday, Oct. 23, Troop 50 got its hands dirty at First Presbyterian Church to support the church’s day of service. Scouts, leaders and parents armed themselves with rakes and shovels to help church volunteers spread mulch around trees and landscaped areas on the church grounds.

Troop 50 has met at First Presbyterian Church since the troop’s founding in 2012. Although the church is not our official charter organization (that would be the Auburn Rotary Club), the church has long supported Scouting and has provided troops with a meeting location for decades. Giving back by volunteering during church days of service is one of the ways the troop strives to express its appreciation to First Presbyterian for its enduring support.

Eight from Troop 50 inducted into the Order of the Arrow

For more than 100 years, the Order of the Arrow, or "OA" — also referred to as Scouting's National Honor Society — has recognized Scouts and leaders who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. Arrowmen, as members of the Order of the Arrow are known, are regarded for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, and providing cheerful service in their troops and beyond.

Order of the Arrow activities occur through a lodge, which is affiliated with a local Scouting council. Scouts elected for Order of the Arrow membership participate in an “Ordeal” weekend, where candidates for membership participate in reflective experiences around leadership and cheerfully complete service projects alongside OA members. This year’s class of Order of the Arrow inductees included eight Troop 50 Scouts who attended the Chattahoochee Lodge’s induction weekend Aug 6-8 at Camp Frank G. Lumpkin in LaGrange.

Pictured above, they were (left to right) Harrison, James, David, Harrison, Jake, Hunter, Connor and Rhett.

Those elected for OA membership are typically informed of their selection during a “callout ceremony” in a summer camp setting. The ceremony, like all Order of the Arrow activities, center around the organization’s preservation of Native American traditions and heritage. Many of the troop’s candidates elected at the troop’s spring court of honor participate in a callout ceremony at Camp Sequoyah. Others learned of their pending OA membership as part of their Northern Tier High Adventure trek.

The Order of the Arrow is a co-ed organization and includes youth and adults from Scouting, Venturing and Sea Scout units. From local lodges to national leadership positions, the OA is considered a youth-led, adult-advised organization. Therefore, youth members must be under the age of 21 to be elected. Scouts must be at least First Class in rank; have at least 15 nights of Scout camping, including one, but no more than one, long-term camping experience consisting of at least five consecutive nights of overnight camping (usually a summer camp); and receive an affirmative vote of a majority of their unit peers (including Scouts who aren’t OA members). Adults (age 21 or older) who meet the camping requirements may be nominated by the troop committee.

Pioneering, blacksmithing and serving

For its February monthly campout, Troop 50 headed north just outside Auburn to Loachapoka — home to Pioneer Park. The Feb. 19-21 campout allowed Scouts to journey back to the area’s late 1880s and early 1900s pioneering traditions preserved on the property by the Lee County Historical Society.

Cooling temperatures greeted Scouts and leaders Friday evening. As they set up camp, pitched their tents and prepared dinner, those temperatures dropped into the 30s — prompting everyone to seek the coziness of their tents and the warmth of their sleeping bags earlier than everyone’s usual bedtime.

Frequent trains on the tracks just across the highway from Pioneer Park broke the campsite’s tranquility throughout the night. Those CSX trains trace back to the Western Railroad of Alabama of the 1850s and 1860s. Saturday’s sunrise led to gradual increasing temperatures — they had dropped to the upper 20s overnight — as the sounds of trains gave way to clucking from Pioneer Park’s chicken coup. Everyone enjoyed their breakfast snuggled in coats and huddled around morning campfires.

Dr. Mitchell explains how the fireplace was a central element to pioneer life.
It was where families gathered, socialized, found warmth and cooked.

Following breakfast cleanup, the troop broke up into two groups to become better acquainted with Pioneer Park. One group followed Dr. Charles Mitchell for a tour of the property. Dr. Mitchell, a retired Auburn University agronomist and professor, currently leads the Lee County Historical Society as the organization’s president after decades of longtime service to the organization. He recounted the history behind many of the buildings, gardens and programs that comprise Pioneer Park and the organization’s past.

The other group made its way to Pioneer Park’s Blacksmith Shop. There, Auburn University professor and experienced blacksmith Dr. Jim Witte shared with Scouts about the art of blacksmithing. He detailed features of a typical blacksmith shop, such as the forge, anvils, tools and the like, as shown in the video above (listen for the train ... here it comes again!). He demonstrated some techniques and discussed the safety issues they present. He also outlined how blacksmithing played a role in the area trade and relations with local Native Americans. The demonstration also introduced Scouts to the opportunity to pursue Metalwork Merit Badge.

Blake (center, left) and Cooper (center, right) show off their new Scout ranks after
receiving them from Senior Patrol Leader Will (far left) and Scoutmaster Baird (far right).

During lunch, the troop celebrated the accomplishments of two Scouts toward their advancement. Scoutmaster Andrew Baird and Senior Patrol Leader Will presented Blake and Cooper with their Scout ranks.

James (center) prepares the raised bed soil before planting potatoes.

Jason, Will and Olen pile up the remains
of Pioneer Park's recent sugar cane harvest.

After lunch, Scouts got more familiar with some of Pioneer Park’s agricultural efforts through service projects in the McLain Garden and Crops Garden. One group learned about planting potatoes in raised beds in the McLain Garden’s Heirloom Kitchen Garden, while another group cleaned concrete benches where visitors to the garden can sit and enjoy nature. A third group had the more arduous task of clearing out the remains of Pioneer Park’s recent sugar cane harvest in its Crops Garden.

Pioneer Park has been the site of several Troop 50 Eagle Scout leadership service projects. Those include projects to build a fence enclosing the McLain Garden by Camp Steiner (Class of 2019), construct new arbors for the McLain Garden by Jacob Van Horn (Class of 2018), and to develop a new artifact cataloging system and displays for items in the McLain Building by Aiden Lytle (Class of 2017).

Throughout the afternoon, many Scouts wandered over to the Pioneer Park chicken coop to see what all the clucking and commotion was about. The chickens seemed to get more agitated by the parade of their eggs leaving the coop. Several Scouts were under the impression that storing the eggs amid the warmth of their pockets and sleeping bags — and for one Scout, his emergency space blanket — would produce a baby chick. Well, at least it produced the idea of a new troop meeting topic on animal husbandry.

The sun setting through the dogtrot of the Barnard-Newell Log House, situated
just above the troop's campsite.

During the afternoon, Assistant Scoutmaster Michael Tullier demonstrated — in a format that fell somewhere between the television programs “Chopped” and “Worst Cooks in America” — how to make Dutch oven apple crisp dessert for their patrols. Each patrol received all the ingredients to replicate the dish — which they later reported turned out better than some of the actual dinner meals they prepared! Again, with overnight temperatures promising to drop to into the 30s this time, Scouts were quick to prepare their meals, enjoy dinner, and clean their dishes so they could huddle around their campfires or seek the warmth of their sleeping bags for the cold evening ahead.

Frost patterns formed on the outsides of most
tents during the overnight hours Friday
and Saturday evening.

Saturday night: more trains, more cold, more chickens — you get the picture.

After Sunday morning’s breakfast was over and everyone’s gear was packed away, the troop gathered to reflect on all that Scouts accomplished over the weekend. In his role as troop chaplain, Mr. Tullier led the troop in its traditional “Duty to God” devotional service. Together, they reflected on the concept of “daily bread” that is part of the “Lord’s Prayer,” and what that concept looks like in our daily lives.

During the troop’s Patrol Leaders’ Council meeting the following Monday, youth leaders positively rated the Pioneer Park campout — giving high marks to patrol menu planning, Pioneer Park activities and its service project opportunities. They did note that more could be done to emphasize teamwork within the patrols and the troop, as well as specific functions like being better organized in setting up tents and dining flies upon everyone’s arrival. Those needs would be part of upcoming troop meeting programs.

The troop continues to camp locally, wearing facial coverings and maintaining physical distancing as part of observing pandemic-era public safety protocols.

For more photos of the Pioneer Park campout, visit the troop’s online photo album.

‘Surviving’ in the wild

On Saturday, Oct. 24, Troop 50 headed a few miles up U.S. Highway 280 to Waverly and the LaMar family property to complete the outdoor and overnight requirements for Wilderness Survival Merit Badge. As Scouts arrived, so did the drizzle — a perpetual weekend presence that ebbed and flowed from torrential downpours on Saturday to the residual drips from the overhead tree canopy Sunday morning. The rain, however, did little to dampen the spirits of the wilderness survivors.

Harrison sets up his shelter before the rain deluge hits.

Connor clears away overgrowth
from the sides of the walking trails.

Scouts got their shelters and gear squared away as the hardest showers of the day arrived, which placed some of Saturday’s activities on hold as everyone took shelter under their dining flies. Once the rain subsided, the troop resumed its afternoon activities. This included Scouts and leaders completing a conservation service project on the LaMar property, which included clearing overhanging limbs and trail debris along walking trails.

Following the service project, the troop broke up into small groups for a GPS-based orienteering course. The groups’ outcomes ranged from a few feet to more than 350 feet from the course’s final pin.

On Sunday, with just tarps and ropes to collect instead of tents to pack, Scouts made quick work of clearing their campsite. Before departing, the troop gathered for its Sunday devotional service, which centered around Romans 5:3-4 — equating the character-building challenges of the campout to those trials we suffer in our daily lives.

During its post-campout assessment the following Monday at the troop’s Patrol Leaders Council, youth leaders gave the campout high marks for getting the major overnight component of the merit badge out of the way — providing them with a “sense of accomplishment.” They also credited everyone — especially those newer to the troop — for embracing the environmental challenges, which in this case was the rain, and persevering even without the protection of a tent during the night.

For more pictures from the campout, visit the troop’s online photo album.

Steiner becomes third-generation Eagle Scout and Troop 50’s 21st

Three generations of Eagle Scouts: Camp Steiner '19, his father Thomas Steiner '77, and his grandfather Edwin Beck '56

This spring, Troop 50 bestowed the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank during a ceremony honoring new Eagle Scout Thomas “Camp” Steiner. He is the son of Thomas and Joscelin Steiner of Auburn. Camp is the troop’s 21st Eagle Scout since its founding in 2012. In addition, he is a third-generation Eagle Scout: his grandfather, Edwin Beck, earned the Eagle Scout rank in 1956, and his father, Thomas, earned in 1977.

Camp’s Eagle Scout ceremony, held at the Lee County Historical Society’s Pioneer Park in Loachapoka on Sunday, Feb 23, included fellow Scouts, leaders, family and friends. Senior Patrol Leader Trey oversaw the presentation of colors, followed by welcomes from Scoutmaster Andrew Baird. Readings by fellow Scouts (left to right) Liam, Jason, Michael and Joe reminded everyone of the symbolism behind the colors of the Eagle Scout badge, the significance of the Scout Oath and Law in our daily lives, as well as the foundation they have and will provide Camp.

Edwin Beck, Eagle Scout Class of 1956, administers the "Eagle Scout Promise" to his grandson, Camp.

Camp's mother, Joscie, presents Camp with his
Eagle Scout medal.

Scoutmaster Baird oversaw the official presentation of the Eagle Scout rank to Camp. This included administering the "Eagle Scout Charge," as well as the "Eagle Scout Promise," led by his grandfather, and joined in by other Eagle Scouts in attendance. Camp’s parents joined in the presentation of the insignia marking his achievement of the Eagle Scout rank, and Camp in turn presented both of his parents with Eagle Scout mother’s and father’s pins. On behalf of the troop, Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford presented Camp with membership in the National Eagle Scout Association — a tradition dating back to the troop's first Eagle Scout in 2013.

Scoutmaster Baird congratulates Camp on becoming the troop's 21st Eagle Scout.

After the formal awards presentation, Camp then shared words of thanks to those in attendance, as well as to those who had supported his Scouting efforts. Following tradition, Camp recognized several special leaders and adults with Eagle Scout mentor pins, which signify the special roles they played in his advancement efforts and in completing his Eagle Scout leadership service project. These included his grandfather, his uncle Jeremy Bolton, and his parents.

Father and son embrace after Camp presents his dad with an Eagle Scout mentor pin.

Camp joined Troop 50 in September 2017 after transferring from Troop 316 in Pass Christian, Mississippi. During his tenure in Troop 50, he has served in several leadership positions including quartermaster, patrol leader, senior patrol leader, and junior assistant scoutmaster before becoming an assistant scoutmaster. Through his Scouting participation, he earned 31 merit badges and was elected for membership in the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s national honor society. In 2019, Camp was selected by his fellow Scouts as the recipient of the troop's James A. Baird Jr. Honor Scout Award, which he received from Scoutmaster Baird at the troop's September 2019 court of honor (right)

Camp and fellow Troop 50 Eagle Scout Jacob Van Horn at the juncture of their respective Eagle Scout projects.

For his Eagle Scout leadership service project, Camp planned and led volunteers to build a fence enclosing Pioneer Park’s McLain Garden — a collection of culinary and medicinal herbs, some of which were used as folk medicine in the South. Family, friends, and fellow Scouts and leaders logged more than 145 service hours planning and constructing the project. The new fence ties in with two arbors built by fellow Troop 50 Eagle Scout Jacob Van Horn in 2018.

Camp and family after he passed his Eagle Scout Board of Review on Sept. 17, 2019.

After completing the Eagle Scout rank requirements, which included planning and executing his service project, Camp appeared before the Saugahatchee District’s Eagle Scout Board on Sept. 17, 2019. He is among the two Troop 50 Scouts to earn the Eagle Scout rank during 2019.

Camp is a graduate of Auburn High School, where some of his activities included Film Club, Scholar's Bowl, leading STEM nights at local elementary schools with the Technology Students Association, Spanish Club, and Ultimate Frisbee.

Camp began his collegiate studies this fall as a Presidential Scholar at The University of Tulsa (Oklahoma), where he is majoring in computer science, with minors in mathematics and possibly Spanish.

Since the first Eagle Scout was awarded in 1912, more than 2.5 million Boy Scouts have completed the Eagle Scout’s performance-based rank requirements, which currently include serving in progressive leadership positions, demonstrating outdoor and Scouting skill competencies, earning at least 21 merit badges, and planning and executing a seminal Eagle Scout leadership service project. During 2019 alone, 61,535 Boy Scouts earned Scouting’s highest rank —  beating the previous record of 58,659 set in 2012, the 100-year anniversary of the award first being presented.

For more photos from Camp’s Eagle Scout Ceremony, visit the troop's online photo album.

Vollenweider honored as Troop 50’s 20th Eagle Scout

On Sunday, Nov. 24, Troop 50 bestowed the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank during a ceremony honoring new Eagle Scout Joseph Vollenweider. He is the son of Glen and Margaret Vollenweider of Auburn. Joe is the troop’s 20th Eagle Scout since its founding in 2012.

Ethan, Trey and Creighton (left to right) outline the significance of the
colors of the Eagle Scout rank.

Joe's Eagle Scout ceremony, held at Auburn United Methodist Church, included fellow Scouts, leaders, family and friends. Senior Patrol Leader Everett oversaw the presentation of colors, followed by welcomes from Scoutmaster Andrew Baird and Chartered Organization Representative Michael Tullier. Readings by fellow Scouts, friend Randy Cottier and Assistant Scoutmaster Wes Williams reminded everyone of the significance citizenship and the rank of Eagle Scout has and will play in Joe's life. The program also included "You Raise Me Up," sung by Rev. Chris Kelsey, Auburn United Methodist Church's director of worship and media.

Scoutmaster Baird administers the "Eagle Scout Promise" to
Joe while other Eagle Scouts in attendance join him in
reaffirming their commitment to Scouting principles.

Scoutmaster Baird and Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford oversaw the official presentation of the Eagle Scout rank to Joe. This included the "Eagle Scout Charge," as well as the "Eagle Scout Promise," which other Eagle Scouts in attendance joined Joe in reciting. Joe's parents joined in the presentation of the Eagle Scout rank, and Joe in turn presented both of his parents with Eagle Scout mother and father pins. On behalf of the troop, Mr. Tullier presented Joe with membership in the National Eagle Scout Association — a tradition dating back to the troop's first Eagle Scout in 2013.

Joe's mother, Margaret, pins him with the Eagle Scout medal while his father, Glen, looks on.

Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford, who also serves as Joe's
Auburn United Methodist Church D-Group leader, congratulates
Joe as being pinned with a mentor pin.

After the formal awards presentation, Joe then shared words of thanks to those in attendance, as well as to those who had supported his Scouting efforts since his time as a Cub Scout. Following tradition, Joe recognized several special leaders and adults with Eagle Scout mentor pins, which signify the special roles they played in his advancement efforts and in completing his Eagle Scout leadership service project. These included a posthumous presentation to John Cottier, his Cub Scout den leader, which his wife, Randy, received on his behalf. Other honorees included assistant scoutmasters Wes Williams and Christian Dagg, Scoutmaster Andrew Baird, and Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford. The ceremony concluded with a benediction from Auburn United Methodist Church's senior pastor, Rev. Cory Smith.

Joe (front row, far right) in April 2014 after earning his Arrow of Light
and crossing over from Pack 29 to Troop 50.

Joe joined joined Troop 50 in April 2014 after earning the Webelos rank and the Arrow of Light as a Cub Scout in Pack 29. During his tenure in Troop 50, he has served in several leadership positions leading up to patrol leader, lead troop guide, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, and his current position as junior assistant scoutmaster. Through his Scouting participation, he earned 26 merit badges and was elected for membership in the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s national honor society.

For his Eagle Scout leadership service project, Joe planned and led volunteers to build a larger debriefing space at the Auburn University Challenge Course. Family, friends, and fellow Scouts and leaders logged more than 72 service hours planning and constructing the project. The new debriefing area features six foldable benches that alternate between being serving as benches for the debriefing area and as picnic tables for groups participating in the challenge course.

Joe with his parents following his successful completion of his
Eagle Scout Board of Review.

After completing the Eagle Scout rank requirements, which included planning and executing his service project, Joe appeared before the Saugahatchee District’s Eagle Scout Board on Sept. 17, 2019. He is among the two Troop 50 Scouts to earn the Eagle Scout rank during 2019.

Joe is an 11th grader at Auburn High School, where he is active in the Engineering Club and Technical Student Association. He and he parents worship at Auburn United Methodist Church, where he is an active leader of the church’s Youth Group and member of the Youth Choir.

Since the first Eagle Scout was awarded in 1912, nearly 2.5 million Boy Scouts have completed the Eagle Scout’s performance-based rank requirements, which currently include serving in progressive leadership positions, demonstrating outdoor and Scouting skill competencies, earning at least 21 merit badges, and planning and executing a seminal Eagle Scout leadership service project. During 2018 alone, 52,160 Boy Scouts earned Scouting’s highest rank.

For more photos from Joe's Eagle Scout Ceremony, 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.

CRM - Friday/Saturday: Exodos

     Now that we are back in the land of unlimited bandwidth and other distractions (such as regular jobs), it should have been easy to add a note of finality to our week. Alas, such closure does not flow easily. My apologies for the tardiness.

     Following the storm of free range Thursday and the subsequent rain, Friday dawned bright but muggy. The scouts were ready to take their last loops around the parade field during the running of the flags before breakfast. Several scouts took turns traversing the wet grass for the glory of Troop 50. I'm not sure I understood the motivation, but I am not a teenager, as has been pointed out to me many times. In trying to capture the troop's aura that morning, I asked them to give me an inspiring pose. The result appears below.

The inspiration moment, except for Trey, who refused to be inspired. 

   

Amazing what you can
do with hot metal.

Following breakfast and the final ice pickup, the boys dispersed back to their merit badge classes. I wandered up the hill above our campsite to investigate the odd noises emanating from that direction. There I found Miles engaged with his Welding merit badge class as he rendered his initials upon a steel plate.   

     Joe wandered down to the waterfront to observe the Lifesaving merit badge class as they attempted to save each other from (simulated) drowning. Benson, Olen, Jake, and Jackson L. worked all week learning various techniques for performing water rescues including reaching out to a drowning victim with an arm or other object, throwing a rope or floatation device, using a boat or other support, or entering the water to swim to the victim. Going to a victim is always the last resort as a drowning victim can often harm the rescuer in a fit of panic. The scouts seemed to be well-trained in these new skills. 

Jackson throws in a flotation device ahead of entering
the water and heading to one of the victims. 

     The TNT teams of scouts were working on the physical fitness requirements for the Tenderfoot rank. Scouts must do a series of push-up and sit-ups in addition to running a mile on their tenderfeet. We will have to repeat these activities in August to see if they have improved their physical ability.

Johnson runs across the green, green grass. 

      Following lunch, the troop headed up to the bathhouse next to the archery range as part of our service commitment. Troops are expected to help keep the camp and its facilities clean. Some of our scouts were more enthusiastic about the idea than others. The bathhouses at camp at concrete block structures with a large bathroom (several sinks, toilets, and showers) at one end for the male youth and individual rooms with their own sink, toilet, and shower along the other end of the building. The individual rooms have signs on their doors that read "Adult and Female." Somewhat surprisingly, there were a number of male adult leaders who took the meaning of the signs literally and inquired where they could find the showers for Adult and Male. This required the camp director (who is a school teacher) to explain that the signs should be read to mean Adult or Female. Where are the grammar police when you need them?

     Taking mops, brushes, brooms, and spray cleaner in gloved hands; the scouts commenced a scrub down that should make any mother proud. Now that your sons know how to clean a bathroom, do not let that knowledge go to waste at home.

Rhett squeegees the floor with a windshield squeegee.
It seems the camp doesn't know what a floor squeegee is.  

Benson and Harrison learn to mop up water. 

   
     As one would guess from the signs on the door of the bathhouse, there were female scouts in the camp. Some were from new troops started from scratch while others were the sister troops of male units that already existed. These troops had the same number and camped right alongside each other. Overall, I would guess that there were perhaps as many as thirty female scouts in camp during the week and a good number of female staff members as well. As much chatter as there has been over the addition of girls into the BSA, I'm not sure that our boys even noticed. I never heard any of them even mention it during the week.  

     As the day came to a close, the last event was the closing campfire. The staff was at their usual boisterous level as they handed out various awards and recognitions. A number of the troops thanked their staff guides who had looked after their troop during the week and recognized them with thank you gifts such as troop t-shirts. Being our first time at camp, we were not aware that such recognitions occurred. However, since our staff guide hadn't been seen since Tuesday, I'm not sure we would have noted his work in the first place. The final presentation of the evening was by a scoutmaster from one of the larger troops. He had served over sixty years as a youth and adult in scouting, earning his Eagle rank in 1961. That night he was stepping aside as the scoutmaster of the troop at what he said was likely his last week of summer camp. He implored the scouts to continue their quest for their Eagle, telling them how much it meant to him to be an Eagle Scout. He then handed over his hiking staff to the new scoutmaster as the staff and campers rose to give him a standing ovation.

This was the best photo I could manage as we stood to honor him. 

     I will also add a word about the pink t-shirts they were wearing. The troop had different color t-shirts for each day at camp. One of the adult leaders told Christian that this was a mothers' initiative in order to ensure that the boys wore clean shirts every day. It's not a bad idea but I'm not sure about how well the pink color would go over.

     On Saturday morning we rose at our normal time and began to pack up the gear and clean up the campsite. We sent a crew to the dining hall to pick up boxes with our breakfast food. As Everett noted upon their return, in a cruel twist of irony, the camp provided us with Pop Tarts as our meal. As we cleared the gear from the Adirondacks, various clothing and other items believed lost during the week were found lurking in the corners of the shelters. My best guess was that gnomes had carried it off earlier in the week and had just returned it that morning. Please let me know if anyone has a better explanation.

     The ride back to Auburn was uneventful in comparison to the ride up. We stopped for lunch at the Chick-fil-a in Newnan, Georgia. The staff took our presence in stride and turned out our orders with practiced efficiency. I think they could teach the dining hall staff at Rainey Mountain a thing or two. We were back in Auburn just after 2:00 PM and I'm sure that washing machines and showers were churning not long after.

Joe managed to catch a photo of me on the porch
of the administration building as I struggled to craft
a coherent sentence for the blog. 

     I want to thank Christian, Gordon, Ronnie, and Joe for spending their time at camp helping to make this an enjoyable week for the boys. They kept me on an even keel as well. I also want to thank the scouts for their hard work and dedication to the principles of the scout oath and law. I'm proud to be the scoutmaster of "that" troop.

     One final note to the grammarians who think that I misspelled the title of the post. All of the titles this week have been references to Greek and Roman drama (which often seemed appropriate). Exodos means what you think it does, the exit of the players and chorus from the stage. With that, I will leave you only with the link for Friday's photos.