Scouts build community while building character

Scouting offers many opportunities to learn, grow and give back to the community in both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.
Cub Scouting teaches a boy respect for his God, his country, his home and for other people. Boy Scouting is a program designed for older boys to learn citizenship and fitness and to help them continue to develop character. The emphasis is on leadership training, outdoor experiences and an individualized advancement program for each Scout.
Scouting is on the rise, celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2010. Boy Scout Troop 400 (troop400.net), based out of Redeemer Lutheran Church and led by Scoutmaster Gary Hutchens, has grown from 14 Scouts in 2004 to 49 in 2009. Empowering boys to be leaders is at the core of Scouting. A Boy Scout troop is a small democracy. With the Scoutmaster’s direction, the boys are formed into patrols, plan the troop’s program and make it a reality. This is at the heart of a boy-led troop.
Troop 400 will have five Scouts who will earn the Eagle Scout rank this year, Scouting’s highest award. Nationally, only 2 percent of all Scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
The troop is proud of its outdoor program, having earned the “Tired Boot” award twice since 2004. This award recognizes the troop that goes on the most overnight events within their district in a year. Scouts who are “first class” and at least 13 plan and participate in the troop’s High Adventure program. Recent trips have included: whitewater rafting the Salmon River, 50-mile hikes in the Pasayten Wilderness and Bob Marshall Wilderness, a 50-mile canoe trip down the Missouri River, and ocean kayaking in the San Juan Islands off the coast of Canada.
Boy Scouts give back to the community. Troop 400 will run a booth at the upcoming Pumpkin Plunge at Redeemer Lutheran on Halloween. They will participate in the Scouting for Food Drive, Scouting’s annual Good Turn event, by dropping off food bags on Nov. 7 and collecting the food on Nov. 14. Over 150,000 pounds of food was collected by Scouts in Spokane last year.
Recent Eagle projects by Troop 400 include the installation of the flagpoles at Plantes Ferry Park soccer complex, over 50 18-foot trees planted in a city beautification project, and benches installed in Dishman Hills, Plantes Ferry and Valley Real Life Church.
To support our activities, packs and troops raise funds. Both Cub Scouts and the Boy Scouts are selling popcorn during the month of October. In addition, Troop 400 will be selling florist-quality poinsettias in November for $12 (509-922-8431) and sponsoring Christmas tree recycling in early January ($5 drop-off at Trailhead Golf Course in Liberty Lake). We are very appreciative of the support from our local community.
Scouting is truly a great activity for boys of all ages. I would encourage you to check it out. To find a local Cub Scout Pack or Boy Scout troop, call the District office at (509) 325-4562.