Weymouth News Article - Troop 2 100th Anniversary Observances

This weeks Weymouth News included an article highlighting our 100th anniversary celebrations. A copy is included below.

Troop 2 Weymouth marked the 100th anniversary of our first scout meeting over the weekend of April 16th-17th with a campout at Valley Pines, Norwell. Our scouts cooked recipes from the early days of scouting using traditional methods including Dutch ovens and roasting on an open fire, participated in a historical hike around the campground, viewing photos from the 1950’s through the present day, and played several scouting games that originated at the first scout camp at Brownsea Island.

On Monday, April 18th we met at the Weymouth Heights Club, and continued our observances with a cake and sparkling cider. At this meeting our scouts were presented with a commemorative neckerchief slide, which along with their new unit numeral patch, issued to each scout in January, further marks our anniversary recognition.

Troop 2 is celebrating 100 years of scouting in Weymouth in 2011. We got our start in 1911 at the East Weymouth Congregational Church, where there was a boys Sunday school class taught by Mr. Ernest A. Smith. This class was organized about 1908. The boys had such a good time that they formed their class into a social club and continued to meet. As time went on they felt more in need of a program of activity, and when the Rev. Walter H. Commons, pastor of the Congregational Church, East Weymouth, read the Boy Scout Handbook, edited by Gen. Baden Powell, it was decided that a scout organization would provide valuable training for these young men.

On January 22, 1911 they voted to organize their class as a Boy Scout troop and immediately applied for a charter. Reverend Commons asked Mr. Smith to assume the role of scoutmaster.

Happy Birthday Jordan

Trumpet/Bugle players

If you are a trumpet player, and interested in learning Bugling and serving as our Troop bugler, please see Mr. Chase.

Buglers perform on either a trumpet or a bugle, at the Eagle Banquet, the Flag Retirement Ceremony, and at Camp. Candidates must have previous experience with the trumpet or cornet


Some photos of our Buglers are below










While the photographers of the above photos are lost to the fog of troop history, the photographer of the below two photos is Mike Curran - he's graciously shared these pictures, as wall as many others, and we are grateful for his support.

Happy Birthday Bryan D

April 2011 Campout - Pictures

Some pictures from the April Campout - thanks Mr. O'Brien



Trouble seeing the slideshow? Click the picture below:

VP April 2011

Troop 2 100th Anniversary Neckerchief Slide

On Monday, April 18th, the Troop continued observances of our 100th anniversary with a cake, a brief discussion of our original members and chartering, and the presentation of a commemorative neckerchief slide, shown below.

If you missed the meeting, please see Mr. Chase to receive your slide.

The Troop Playing Baseball

The troop has a long history of playing baseball and softball during the summer. We play Mondays in August after summer camp, and have participated in charity softball tournaments over the years as well. A tradition that has been lost due to changes in the parking lot at Wellington State Park is the softball games we used to have after dinner during our week at Cliff Island.

Below are photos from our archives of several baseball games.

This first set is a ball game at Camp Child in 1939

4/16/2011 Valley Pines Campout - a Recap

Click picture for better view

100th anniversary campout. Ice cream sundaes around the campfire. We always have ice cream when we pass another century of scouting.

In this picture (roughly left to right): Ben, Chris D, Andrew, Joe, Josh, Matt M, Derek, Mr Kelley, Nick, Taylor, Mr Chase, Jackson, Tim J, John, Jordan, Dan, Nate, Pat, Mr. Wallace, Mr McCabe, Mr Jeanjaquet & Mr Murphy.  Not pictured: AJ, Mitchel, Matt W, Mr O'Brien & Mr Keenan.

Saturday was a great day - cool but dry.  The campout included hikes, mini geocache hunts (day and night), games, and stories around the campfire.

The cooking for this campout was excellent.  There was some simple fare like hamburgs and hotdogs but there was also more complex meals.    Tim J cooked up some great Sloppy Joes from scratch.  Nick cooked homemade pizza from scratch using a dutch oven and then followed it up with some dutch oven corn bread.  Josh cooked up some dutch oven Chicken Fricassee with baked potatoes.

The forecast for the night called for 90% chance of heavy rain.  Based on this we all bunked in the cabin for the night.

Thanks to all the boys and dads that made the event a success.

100th Anniversary Events Recap - January - April

Troop 2 continues to celebrate our 100th anniversary as we move through 2011.

So far we've done the following:

In January we announced the plans formally to the Troop, and distributed our new unit numeral patch to all Scouts. This observance recognizes the point in 1911 when we got our start. It all began at the East Weymouth Congregational Church, where there was a boys Sunday School class taught by Mr. Ernest A. Smith. This class was organized about 1908. The boys had such a good time in their Sunday School, that they formed their class into a social club. As time went on they felt more in need of a program of activity, and when the Rev. Walter H. Commons, pastor of the Congregational Church, East Weymouth, read the Boy Scout Handbook, edited by Gen. Baden Powell, it was decided that a scout organization would provide valuable training for these young men.

On January 22, 1911 they voted to organize their class as a Boy Scout troop and immediately applied for a charter. Reverend Commons asked Mr. Smith to assume the role of Scoutmaster, and soon after they filed for a charter from the Boy Scouts of America. To commemorate Mr. Smith's contribution, and the continued contributions of those men who have volunteered to serve as Scoutmaster, we've created a banner with their names and dates of service, which hangs in the back of the Weymouth Heights Club.

Troop 2 Celebrates 100 Years of Scouting In Weymouth.

As our troop celebrates 100 years of scouting in Weymouth, we look back to our first members.

Today is our 100th anniversary, and without their contribution, it would not be possible.

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On January 22, 1911 the following 20 young men of Weymouth voted to organize as a Boy Scout troop, sponsored by the Rev. Walter H. Commons and led by Scoutmaster Ernest A. Smith.

John T. Dizer	Julian Merchant	Harold Gardner
Alton Blanchard	Donald Canterbury	Vincent Robinson
Howard Diersch	Elmer Sampson	William Rix
Merton Rix	Roderick Ells	Francis Dennison
Arthur Russo	Ralph Chase	Harold Morse
Robert Gay	William Savage	Reginald Bates
Parker Bates	Norman Dizer

As a result of their actions, Troop 2 was officially chartered on April 16, 1911, and held their first scout meeting on Saturday, April 22 at the East Weymouth Congregational Church.

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Since that time thousands of scouts have passed through the troop, developing their leadership skills and learning valuable lessons that shape their lives forever. Over 200 have achieved the Eagle rank, and many have returned years later to pay forward to the new generation of scouts. It's fitting that today, on our 100th anniversary, members of the troop are camping at Valley Pines, hiking, cooking on an open fire, and enjoying the outdoors with the support of their adult leaders and the camaraderie of their fellow scouts. It's a privilege to be a member of a troop with the long and distinguished history of Troop 2. Please plan to join us in September for our celebration at the Immaculate Conception Parish Center.

A Century of Scouting

Troop 2 is 100 Years Old

As of April 16, 2011

On to our second century of Scouting . . .

Valley Pines - Pump

One of the great features of Valley Pines is an abundance of water. This helps with campfire control, giving us water easily via a pitcher pump to fill buckets to tend the fire circle. Until recently the pump also afforded campers access to fresh, drinkable water. The aquifer we tap into is the same vein that provides water to the "Mount Blue" spring and the spring inside Wompatuck State Park. The wells have always been shallow - about 20 feet deep - and frequently silt in, requiring work roughly every 10 years to clear the draw.

The location has always been near the cabin, however in 2011 an Eagle project will add a new well in the fire circle area.

Some recent and historic photos of our pump are below:

Camping at Valley Pines - 1990-2000's

Valley Pines has been in continuous use for over 50 years as a camping area owned and administered by the Weymouth Heights Club. Troop 2 has used this location for weekend campouts, Eagle scout presentations, and Family Day. Our scouts have learned wilderness survival skills, knife and axe handling, cooking on an open fire, hiking, and numerous other outdoor practices while camping there.

Here are some great pictures from the 1990's and early 21st century!

Raffle Items Needed for Banquet and Eagle Court of Honor May 14

We'll be conducting several raffles for fund-raising at our annual Eagle Banquet on May 14th. All proceeds from these raffles are used to support the Eagle Scout Scholarship Fund.

If you are interested donating a raffle item, it will go to a good cause. We are looking for items like gift cards, new camping gear, gift baskets, professional services, etc.

This is a great opportunity for local businesses support Weymouth's youth and get some publicity for it.

Please contact us at Troop2Weymouth@gmail.com if you have question, suggestions or donations.  Please also let us know if you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation to the Scholarship fund.

Camping at Valley Pines - Present Day

Valley Pines has been in continuous use for over 50 years as a camping area owned and administered by the Weymouth Heights Club. Troop 2 has used this location for weekend campouts, Eagle scout presentations, and Family Day. Our scouts have learned wilderness survival skills, knife and axe handling, cooking on an open fire, hiking, and numerous other outdoor practices while camping there.

In the fall of 2007 and early 2008 we moved the campfire circle further into the woods for privacy and to increase the space and safety of the area. This new circle includes a cooking area that's easy to access with a sturdy surface and a larger seating area, as well as a clear area for tents, the flagpole, and our wood pile. In 2011 a proposed Eagle project will add a pump station in this location as well.

Some photos of a campout in 2010 are below.

Valley Pines Campout - 4/16/2011

Event:  Campout

When:  Saturday 4/16/11 9:30am - Sunday 4/17/11 8am

Where:  Valley Pines (505 Grove St., Norwell, MA)

Who:  All Scouts

Bring:  Camping gear, food and cookware

This should be an enjoyable campout - Mr Kelley and Mr Chase have some good activities planned.

Please review the Troop guidelines and policies for Valley Pines on our Valley Pines page. You'll find a complete list of what to bring (and what not to bring), as well as directions, contact numbers and more.

• Please be sure to pick up your scout by 8am on Sunday.
• All boys must check out with Mr. Kelley before leaving Valley Pines

Valley Pines - The Field

For many years Valley Pines in Norwell was without immediate neighbors. There were houses on Grove Street, and on School Street, but for the most part the property was "deep" in the woods. This all changed when the homes were built on Holly Berry Place.

These houses took over an open piece of land, called "The Field", where scouts engaged in pickup football games on a regular basis on most campouts. This field was covered with tall grass, ideal for hiding during flashlight tag, and with the open sky above was a great place to look at the stars on clear nights.

Some photos of a football game in the field from the early 1980's are below:

Valley Pines - Mid 80's, Camping Without a Cabin

When the cabin burned down, camping shifted for a few years to the "Dead Forest" - this is the land closer to the entrance to Valley Pines, consisting of a newer growth forest which had many standing dead trees.

These photos capture that period in the Troop's history at VP.

Camping at Valley Pines - 1980's

Valley Pines has been in continuous use for over 50 years as a camping area owned and administered by the Weymouth Heights Club. Troop 2 has used this location for weekend campouts, Eagle scout presentations, and Family Day. Our scouts have learned wilderness survival skills, knife and axe handling, cooking on an open fire, hiking, and numerous other outdoor practices while camping there.

Here are some candid shots of our scouts enjoying the woods in the 1980's

Robotics Merit Badge

Coming soon - the Robots Merit Badge.  Details are expected to be released next week in conjunction with the Boston-based iRobot.

The badge is designed with an image of the Mars Rover.

I know we have a few scouts who have been involved in the Lego Robotics leagues, so hopefully we will see some scouts earning this new badge.

NASA Announcement 

Camping at Valley Pines - 1970's

Valley Pines has been in continuous use for over 50 years as a camping area owned and administered by the Weymouth Heights Club. Troop 2 has used this location for weekend campouts, Eagle scout presentations, and Family Day. Our scouts have learned wilderness survival skills, knife and axe handling, cooking on an open fire, hiking, and numerous other outdoor practices while camping there.


Here are some great shots of our scouts in the 1970's.

Camping at Valley Pines - 1960's

Valley Pines has been in continuous use for over 50 years as a camping area owned and administered by the Weymouth Heights Club. Troop 2 has used this location for weekend campouts, Eagle scout presentations, and Family Day. Our scouts have learned wilderness survival skills, knife and axe handling, cooking on an open fire, hiking, and numerous other outdoor practices while camping there.

Here are a bunch of pictures of our scouts in the 1960's enjoying the property.

Troop 2 Welcomes Our Newest Scouts

Troop 2 would like to formally welcome the boys from Pack 2 that recently crossed over from Webelos to Boy Scouts.  Many of these boys are also Arrow of Light recipients.

Welcome to:

• Thomas B
• Zachary C
• Michael C
• Evan C
• Evan D
• John M
• Diego R
• Paul S
• Stephen S
• Kevin W

Valley Pines - The Cabin

Anyone who has visited the campground at Valley Pines in Norwell has seen the sturdy cabin, which is outfitted with a warm stove, solid bunks, and a warm loft.

There have been two cabins on that site. The original cabin was completed in 1956, and was burned by vandals in 1981. This cabin was made of wood, some of it from trees destroyed by Hurricane Carol in 1954.

The cabin was rebuilt after a fund raising initiative, and was completed in 1986.

We are fortunate to have great records of both structures, including the blueprints, the materials lists and prices, and photos of the ongoing construction. Many photos show Eagle scout presentations at that location, and family picnics, which are traditions we continue to this day.

The current cabin includes two features from the original cabin - the cornerstone which had been in the chimney, and the sign on the front. The design is similar, with an overhang on the front and a loft, and both cabins afford campers the luxury of a dry, warm refuge when the weather is unpleasant.

Here are some photos of the original cabin, the chimney that remained after the fire, and the new cabin.

Troop 2 Silver Beavers

Troop 2 has been fortunate over the past 50 years to have 4 troop members awarded the Silver Beaver by Old Colony Council.

The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931, and is a distinguished service award presented by the local council. Recipients of this award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council by their performance of community service through hard work, self sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service.

It is given to those who do not actively seek it - recipients do not apply for this honor.

The medal consists of a silver beaver pendant suspended from a blue and white ribbon worn around the neck with a corresponding square knot, with a white strand over a blue strand, on the BSA uniform.

Franklin Pratt was our first recipient, followed by Herbert Holmes, Ronald Parry, and Harold Porter. All four men served the troop and council selflessly for over 30 years, serving in a variety of capacities. Mr. Pratt and Mr. Parry were both members of the troop and long serving scoutmasters. Mr. Holmes and Mr. Porter served in the advancement role for the troop, coordinating rank advancement, achievement, the Eagle scout program, and troop activities such as annual registration, summer camp, and the annual banquets.


Below are photos of these four men, doing what they loved - serving the scouts.


Franklin Pratt - this photo was drawn from a group picture taken in the 1940's at Camp Child during Summer Camp.

Herbert Holmes - this picture was taken of Mr. Holmes at an Eagle banquet in the mid 1980's. Mr. Holmes served as the Master of Ceremonies at Eagle banquets in the 1970's and 1980's.

Ron Parry and Franklin Pratt - this photo of both scoutmasters was taken during a Weymouth parade in the late 1960's.

Ron Parry - this more recent photo of Mr. Parry was taken on a hot day during a parade. Ron always marched with the scouts in the parades, right up until the end of his life.

Harold Porter - this photo of Mr. Porter was also taken at a parade in the 1990's. Mr. Porter often drove the troop truck in the parades, and was the last driver, as the truck was taken off the road after the parade in 2007.

Memorial Observances for Ron Parry - June 26, 2011

June 22, 2011 marks the 5 year anniversary of Ron Parry's death. On June 26th the 10 AM mass at Immaculate Conception will be offered in Ron's memory, and there will be a short collation at the Parish Center following the mass.

The Troop 2 Drum and Flag corps will then proceed to Fairmont Cemetery to visit Ron's grave for a brief ceremony. We will also place a wreath on Mr. Pratt's grave, which is nearby. Mr. Pratt died on May 26, 1975, and served as scoutmaster from 1938 until 1974.

In 1980 and again in 1985 the Troop recognized Mr. Pratt's service to the organization by paying their respects at his grave site before the Memorial Day Parade. Some photos from those ceremonies are below.

Happy Birthday Eric

Washington DC Trip

Sunday Drum Practices April/May Cancelled

Sunday Drum Practice has been cancelled for the remainder of April and May. Please keep an eye on the BLOG and at scout meetings for any special practices before the following events

- Eagle Banquet
- Memorial Day Parade
- Ron Parry Memorial

Drum practice before each meeting at the Weymouth Heights Club will continue until we break for the summer events.

If you are unable to attend a scheduled event, please let Mr. Chase know.

Troop 2 Drummers at the Pack 2 Banquet

Thanks Nick, Pat, Tim M, Chris Z, Ben, Joe, Chris D, Mitchel, Josh, Andrew, Tim J and Taylor.

Herring Run Cleanup - Community Service Opportunity

The annual Herring Run cleanup is Saturday, April 2nd. Our troop will be participating. Scouts should meet at 8 AM at Brady's Package Store in lower Jackson Square. Please bring gloves, wear proper footwear and clothing, and bring water and any snacks you may want. Scouts should be aware that there is poison ivy along the riverbank and should clean up properly when they get home after this community service.

Scouts will return to Brady's Package Store at 12:30 for pickup.

Town of Weymouth's hand-out: 2011_Herring_Run.pdf