Boy Scout Troop 5 Goes to West Point Camporee and Participates in 'Great Saunter'
By Margaret Mager, Boy Scout Troop 5 Community Service Liaison
May 17, 2017: Bronxville's Boy Scout Troop 5 participated in the West Point Camporee April 28 to 30, 2017. Over 6,000 Scouts from all over the United States attended the camporee on the West Point Reservation in West Point, NY. They were joined by more than 1,000 West Point cadets, many of whom are Eagle Scouts now enrolled at West Point, who oversaw and worked with the Scouts.
Troop 5 sent twenty-five Scouts and seven adult leaders to this year's outing, which was organized by Scout parent Jack Mehler and Assistant Scoutmaster Ron Mager.
At West Point, the Scouts camped out for two nights and hiked four miles over Bull Hill with fully loaded backpacks. The Scouts received instruction and participated in 16 different activities, such as weapons instruction, tactical assault, first aid, and camouflage application. The cadets and army personnel also gave demonstrations of parachuting from helicopters.
A huge bonfire and concert with music got the Scouts and cadets rocking on Saturday night. The camping trip counts toward the requirements of the Camping Merit Badge, which is required to become an Eagle Scout.
On May 4, Troop 5 walked in the Great Saunter, a 32-mile hike around the island of Manhattan. Eight Scouts from Troop 5 joined 1,500 entrants for this annual event. Amazingly, all of the Troop 5 Scouts completed the entire loop--no easy task. It took ten-and-half hours. This hike counts toward the requirements for the Hiking Merit Badge, one of 13 merit badges required to become an Eagle Scout. Assistant Scoutmaster Vince LaVecchia and former Scoutmaster Joe Landy organized this event.
Everything done to advance in Scouts (to earn ranks and other awards and recognition) is designed to educate or to otherwise expand horizons. The 13 Eagle Scout required badges are: First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communication, Cooking, Personal Fitness, Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving, Environmental Science or Sustainability, Personal Management, Swimming or Hiking or Cycling, Camping, and Family Life.
Community service is an integral part of Scouting. Every rank advancement requires several hours of community service. Most recently, the troop helped with The Reformed Church's used-clothing sale. Event organizer Lee Corbett sent the troop a lovely letter of thanks and appreciation. The troop has also been active helping the Vinecutters of the Bronx River Conservancy.
If you are a local community organization that needs help with an event, please contact Margaret Mager at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to see if Troop 5 can be of service.
Pictured here: Bronxville Boy Scout Troop 5 at the West Point Camporee (L to R): Henry Amar, Willem Bender, Marco LaVecchia, Clay Layton, and Austin Lawless.
Photo by Vince LaVecchia
Community Service Organizations Directory
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982 and incorporated in 1993, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not for profit organization administered by a Board of Directors. Its mission is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of Bronxville Village, with emphasis on the downtown business district of Bronxville. The BBC uses the dollars raised in its annual spring solicitation letter to residents to fund the mum, tulip and summer flower plantings downtown and at traffic intersections, as well as the summer hanging baskets. Every few years the group spearheads such major endeavors as the renovation of Leonard Morange Square on the west side of the railroad tracks and the beautification of the Lawrence Hospital traffic circle, which included the addition of plants and the building of the fountain that now makes a gracious western portal to our town. The BBC also works with other civic groups to monitor the aesthetics of retail signage, the consistency of sidewalk materials, and litter and graffiti. During Beautify Bronxville Week, the BBC sponsors a poetry reading and works with Scout groups on the annual village clean-up.
Bronxville Beautification Council
PO Box 127
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-779-6123
Bronxville Boy Scouts
The village of Bronxville has a long tradition of scouting. “The troops and packs of Bronxville have maintained the finest scouting organizations and have taught the boys of the Bronxville area to be leaders and outstanding members of the local, national and global communities.”
There are several Boy Scout Troops in Bronxville, including Troops 1, 2, 4, and 5.
Bronxvillle Girls Scouts
The Girls Scouts is “the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.” In Girl Scouts, “girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouts, they can grow courageous and strong.”
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
The Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded in 1998 to further the understanding and appreciation of the history and current life of the village. The Conservancy furthers its mission through the presentation of programs, publications, lectures and special events that foster an awareness of the village's architectural, artistic and cultural heritage, and lends its support for projects designed to strengthen and preserve those legacies. Anyone who is interested in the Bronxville and its history can become a member; varying levels of membership are available.
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
PO Box 989
Bronxville, New York 10708
http://bronxvillehistoricalconservancy.org/
Bronxville School Foundation
The Bronxville School Foundation, founded in 1991, is a non-profit organization independent from the school with the sole purpose of supporting the school. The Foundation raises money each year through donations from school families, community members, and alumni, among others.These contributions fund grants that provide cutting-edge technology, innovative programs and curriculum and other resources that are beyond the scope of public school funding.
177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-0515
https://www.bronxvilleschoolfoundation.org/
Bronxville Women’s Club
The Bronxville Women’s Club offers lectures, exhibits and concerts. It also has a beautiful clubhouse which is available for rental for events.
135 Midland Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3252
www.bronxvillewomensclub.org
Bronxville Youth Council
The Bronxville Youth Council provides volunteer and leadership opportunities for high school students in the village of Bronxville.
177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-0500 ext 1789
Counseling Center
Founded in 1971, the mission of the Counseling Center “is to provide a wide range of psychotherapeutic and counseling services to individuals, couples and families by a staff of highly trained, experience and dedicated psychotherapists.
The Counseling Center
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-3388
www.counselingcenter.org
Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester & Tuckahoe
The mission of the Community Fund is “to support broad social services in Bronxville 10708, Eastchester and Tuckahoe through grants and technical support to local agencies and community projects. All money raised here in our community stays here in our community.”
15 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-8808
www.thecommunityfund.org
Friends of the Bronxville Library
The Friends of the Bronxville Library is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to focus attention on the “Library’s services, facilities and needs” as well as sponsor projects and provide materials that are beyond the reach of the Library’s regular budget and perform other services.
Junior League of Bronxville
The Junior League of Bronxville is “an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”
Rotary Club of Bronxville
The mission of the Rotary Club of Bronxville is to “encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and to encourage and foster (1) the development of friendships within the community as an opportunity for service, (2) high ethical standards in business and professions, (3) the application of the ideal of service of each member to his personal and business and community life and (4) the advancement of international understanding, good will and peace through a world fellowship.”
Senior Citizens of Bronxville
Senior Citizens of Bronxville is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and programs to seniors within the 10708 zip code area. “Programs cover a wide range of activities from educational seminars and cultural enrichment, to community services, bridge classes and exercise.”
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