Volunteers honored at ceremony
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on November 10, 2006 1:45 PM
The Torhunta Boy Scout District honored its volunteers Thursday night at its annual banquet at St. Luke United Methodist Church.
Beth Bosshart and Larry Filion received the District Award of Merit. Bill Moon received the Enduring Service Award.
Ms. Bosshart has worked with Cub Scouts in Pack 22 for several years and is now a unit commissioner with the Scouts. Filion has been active with Cub Pack 8 and Scout Troop 8, serving as the troop's scoutmaster. He also is working with the Merit Badge College, which helps scouts earn badges in special fields in order to advance in rank.
Moon was recognized for his 48 years of volunteering with the Scouts in a variety of capacities. An Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of Arrow, Moon has served in many capacities, most recently as unit commissioner. He has served as a district committee member, district vice chairman and currently district member at large. He also is active in the Order of the Arrow and has been a major fundraiser for the scouts for years.
"He (Moon) has been actively involved in fundraising efforts and has been a longtime financial contributor himself," Tuscarora Council Scout Executive Harold Keller said.
Scout officials said the past year has been a good one for the district, with recruitment numbers up more than 13 percent, said Craig Hansen, a scoutmaster with Troop 34 and the master of ceremonies at the event. The district has 1,296 scouts at all levels, he said.
Tiger Cub membership has grown from 83 last year to 149. The district had 283 Cub Scouts last year and 389 this year. The number of Webelos has increased from 316 to 321, and Boy Scout troop membership has increased from 400 to 413.
"Overall, what we've done in Torhunta is a fantastic thing. We have a lot of people to thank for that," Hansen said.
He attributed the growth to two things. He said Wayne County School Superintendent Dr. Steven Taylor opened the doors to th e public schools for Scout volunteers to talk about the benefits of becoming scouts. And Keller pushed the district staff to expand its recruiting efforts, he said.
"If we do the right thing, we'll keep the boys in Scouting for the next three and four years," he said.
Donations to the district have increased as well, Hansen said. Volunteers have raised $112,000, compared to last year's $81,000 in Friends of Scouting contributions.
The Fall Camporee banner was presented to Boy Scout Troop 10, which is sponsored by Providence United Methodist Church. The banner will go home with the troop and remain with its members until the next winter Camporee, which will be held in 2008. Troop 10 won the banner by earning the most points during the Camporee.
Boy Scout Troop 8 conducted the flag ceremonies beginning and ending the banquet.