
By Margaret Mager, Bronxville Boy Scout Troop 5, Community Service Liaison
Nov. 8, 2017: On Monday, October 23, Boy Scout Troop 5 held a Court of Honor ceremony. Fourteen Scouts advanced rank and 126 merit badges were awarded to 34 Scouts--a new record!
In Scouting, there are seven ranks and more than 135 merit badges a Scout can earn. In order to advance, all candidates must participate in a Scoutmaster Conference and pass a Board of Review.
Upon crossing over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, a boy must first earn the rank of Scout. After that, in order to reach the next rank, Tenderfoot, he must then learn basic knots, help on camping trips, and become proficient in other Scout skills. Quinn McCarthy advanced to Scout. New Tenderfoot Scouts are Toshi Odaira, Jeffrey Rohr, Luke Stinga, and Andreas Wimmersoff.
To earn Second Class, a Scout must learn how to use a map and compass; how, when, and where to build a campfire; and how to safely use pocketknives and wood tools. Second Class Scouts have proven their abilities in camping, first aid, swimming, and other Scout skills. Scouts who advanced to Second Class are John Rizzo and Albert Van Ness.
In order to achieve First Class, Scouts must learn how to use a compass and learn about nutrition and must have cooked for their patrol, spoken with civic leaders, learned lashings and how to tie a bowline, and passed the BSA swimmer test, and they must be prepared to administer all kinds of First Aid. Scouts who advanced to First Class are Willem Bender and Edward Phillips.
To earn the rank of Star, the focus shifts to developing leadership skills and earning four merit badges of the twelve required to make Eagle Scout. They must also complete hours of community service. Star Scouts are expected to provide leadership, guidance, and inspiration to younger Scouts. Marco La Vecchia, Mack Layton, Andrew Mager, and Tora Ozawa advanced to Star.
In order to become a Life Scout, a Scout must be active in his troop in one or more positions of responsibility for at least six months as a Star Scout. He must demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. He must earn five more merit badges (so that he will have 11 in all) and participate in six hours of service. At least three hours of this service must be conservation related. While a Star Scout, he must use the Teaching EDGE method to teach another Scout (preferably younger) certain skills he will need as a Scout. Karsten Schnier advanced to Life
As demonstrated by the rank advancements and merit badges awarded, Troop 5 has been very active in 2017. But there is so much more going on in Troop 5.
Seven Scouts from Bronxville Troop 5 attended the National Boy Scout Jamboree from July 19 to 28 at the 10,600-acre Summit Bechtel Family Scout Reserve in West Virginia. The Jamboree happens every four years and attracts some 45,000 Scouts, adult leaders, volunteers, and exhibitors. Many months of preparation are required to attend, including practice cooking, camping, and packing a special duffle, as each Scout is allowed only one bag and must cook his meals for ten days straight!
It is a tradition for the President of the United States to speak at the Boy Scout Jamboree. This time President Donald Trump spoke on July 24, creating some controversy with his remarks, leading to an apology by the BSA to angry parents. Troop 5 Scouts who attended Jambo were Giovanni LaVecchia, Eric Modesitt, Jeffrey Modesitt, Peter Vorbach, JP Denfeld, Andrew Mager, and James Rohr. Adult leaders from Troop 5 were Assistant Scoutmasters Will Rabsey and Brian Modesitt and Scoutmaster Jon Denfeld.
Also in July of 2017, twenty-nine Troop 5 Scouts spent a week at Camp Read in the Adirondacks, where there were numerous opportunities to earn merit badges and complete requirements for rank advancement. Assistant Scoutmaster Ron Mager led the adventures at Camp Read this year.
There were also six Polar Bear awards, one Adirondack Challenge, ten Totin Chips, two Order of the Arrow ordeals, and two Camp Yawgood attendees, and one Scout completed Trail to Eagle.
Troop 5 is a very active Troop, offering many opportunities for boys to learn valuable life skills while having tons of fun.
Pictured here (L to R): Andrew Mager (Star), Quinn McCarthy (Scout), Marco La Vecchia (Star), Xavier Layton (Star), Edward Phillips (First Class).
Photo courtesy Margaret Mager, Bronxville Boy Scout Troop 5, Community Service Liaison
HOME & GARDEN
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not-for-profit organization administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. The mission of the BBC is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of the village of Bronxville, with an emphasis on the downtown business district.
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Boulder Ledge Garden Club
Founded in 1966, the Boulder Ledge Garden Club is rooted in a mission to inspire a deeper appreciation and love for gardening and flower arranging. The club is dedicated to fostering and promoting interest and knowledge in gardening.
The Club maintains Bronxville’s Bicentennial Park and other civic gardens. In 2019–2020 the club raised $18,000 to replace trees in the village, reflecting its active role in community beautification. It also holds garden therapy projects and educational garden trips for members.
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Bronxville Giving Garden
The Bronxville Giving Garden is a community-centered garden that donates organic produce to Eastchester Community Action Partnership in Tuckahoe and Community Service Associates in Mount Vernon. The garden is also a gathering place where school children and volunteers can discover the joy of tending plants and growing food.
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Bronxville Green Committee
The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. It proposes and implements environmentally sustainable programs in our community.
You can contact them HERE.
SCOUTING
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.”
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Bronxville 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.”
Here is more information about girl scouts.
HISTORY
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
Inspired by the highly successful Bronxville Centennial Celebration in 1998, the Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded to record and preserve Bronxville's history and life in the village today.
BRONXVILLE SCHOOL
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 mission of the Bronxville School Foundation is to enhance the quality of public education in our community by engaging the support and energies of educators, citizens, parents, students and alumni.
The Foundation awards grants for projects
CLICK HERE to learn more.
LECTURES, EXHIBITS, CONCERTS
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
Concordia Conservatory
Concordia Conservatory, a preeminent center for music education in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, is a welcoming community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music.
The Conservatory’s mission is to inspire, instruct, and enrich lives through music offering excellence in education and performance.
CLICK HERE for more information.
COUNSELING
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
SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM
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
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 Rotary Club of Bronxville is part of a national network of 1.25 million problem-solvers. They see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
READING & LEARNING
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.
SENIORS
Gramatan Village
Gramatan Village is a unique community model offering programs, services and social connections that help members continue to live independently in their homes as they age. In addition, GV offers one-on-one consultations and counseling with our experienced staff to guide members through life’s transitions.
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.”