Boy Scout Troop

Welcome home, Boy Scout Troop 361 members Danny Schofield, Daniel Pomeranz, Alec Font, Tim Lieberman, Michael LeRoy, Stephen Watson, Paul Watson, Luke Bosley, Josh Merrihew and Troop leaders Steve Merrihew, Gavin Watson and John Bosley. The group recently returned from a trip to New Mexico's Philmont Scout Ranch, the Boy Scouts of America's largest national high-adventure base. Situated in the Rocky Mountains, the camp is about 214 square miles of rugged wilderness terrain and steep mountains tops.

The Boy Scouts of America has lifted its ban on gay boys being full participants in their programs ("Scouts lift ban on gay youths," May 24). Much of the news has centered in the backlash from "faith-based organizations" which sponsor Boy Scout troops. Churches, in particular, are named as those opposing this change and withdrawing their sponsorship. The Church of the Redeemer in Baltimore is proud to sponsor Troop 35, a historical and successful program of the Boy Scouts of America with an impressive record of Eagle Scouts.

Boy Scout Troop 1191 of Mount Airy recently held its Fall Court of Honor and presented rank advancements and merit badges. Rank advancements were given to: Adam Eisenstadt, second class; Andrew Main and Benny Smith, first class; Justin Schlegal and Justin Eisenstadt, Star Scout; EJ Kreinar, Life Scout; John Maestri, Chris Saxton, Matthew Eisenstadt and Steven Cohen, Eagle Scout. The following merit badges were awarded: Archery: Nick Antlitz, Brian Coleman, Adam Eisenstadt, Caleb Hawkins, Neil Kloper, Derek Olinger and Benny Smith.

On Feb. 25, 17-year-old Nathaniel Joseph Paradis earned the highest rank to be attained in the Boy Scouts of America. He became the 29th Eagle Scout of Boy Scout Troop 899 in Fallston. Nathaniel's Eagle Scout service project entailed leading interview teams that conducted video recorded interviews of 14 different American war-time veterans and or U.S. citizen civilian workers. The recorded interviews were then collected, edited and submitted to the U.S. Library of Congress' Veteran History Project.

Boy Scout Troop 550 recently attended the Four Rivers District Klondike Derby in Downs Park and came home with the top prize.The derby is a contest in which Boy Scout patrols are confronted with a problem at 15 different stations. Each problem has a set of conditions that relate to a situation that might be found in the Klondike. The solution requires a team effort and the use of scouting skills.Part of the program required the patrol to build a wooden dog sled. Members of the patrol acted as sled dogs and pulled the sled from station to station.

THELMA MAY BE ONE OF the least likely names you'd expect to belong to the scoutmaster of a Boy Scout troop.But Thelma Furlong, the first female scoutmaster in the Scouts' Capital District, is part of a new breed of Scout leaders.Besides Furlong, whose district includes the southern and western parts of Anne Arundel County, the state has no more than five female scoutmasters.Granted, there have always been women Cub pack leaders. That's how Furlong started her Boy Scout career.But, when it comes to teaching the rugged, big-guy stuff, the role is traditionally left to men."

BOY SCOUTING is my avocation," said Linthicum resident James P. Dunne Jr. In his youth, he was a Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Explorer and earned Eagle rank. As an adult, he has served in many areas of the Scouting program.When his three sons were in Cub Scouts, he was Cubmaster of Pack 845 and Pack 447. He has been a Scoutmaster three times for three troops (869, 550, and 216).But, it is Boy Scout Troop 216, the one with which he is associated now, that possibly gives him the greatest satisfaction.

A RECENT WEEKLONG camping trip to the Baltimore area Boy Scouts council's Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation in Harford County gave members of Linthicum Troop 550 ample time to work on many merit badges and awards. The boys are especially proud of winning the Camp Saffran Eagle Award. The troop earned the award for distinguishing itself as an outstanding unit at the campsite, donating many hours of labor to a conservation project and completing requirements for almost all of the merit badges sought.

Boy Scout Troop 380 of Hampstead will have its annual fund-raising auction March 5 at Snyder's Auction House on Mott Avenue in Hampstead. The auction will begin at 10 a.m. and end when all the merchandise is sold.This year's auction is the eighth for the troop, which is sponsored by Wesley United Methodist Church.Area businesses and restaurants are contributing new goods and services for the auction, which will feature sports collectibles ranging from cards to team hats, tools and accessories, and household goods.

Boy Scout Troop 669, sponsored by the Glen Burnie Elks Lodge, presented several awards and advancements at its recent Court of Honor.* Robby Jack was presented with a Recruiter Award.* Damien Morris earned merit badges in Indian lore and wilderness survival.* Tyrone Pietzsch was awarded the Totin' Chip and the Swimming Merit Badge.* Chris Son was awarded the Totin' Chip.* Jason Scutt earned Merit Badges in basketry, rifle shooting and swimming.* Lee Scutt was awarded the Rifle Shooting Merit Badge.

Boy Scout Troop 828 presented the William Bayne Scout of the Year Award for 2012 to James Heuser at its annual Court of Awards and Dinner on Feb. 14 at Havenwood Presbyterian Church, which sponsors the troop.  The award recognizes the Scout's achievements and contributions to the troop. James received his Eagle rank on Dec. 5, 2012, and has served the troop in many roles, including senior patrol leader, den chief, scribe, quartermaster and instructor, as well as serving as chaplain's aide for Philmont in 2011. Currently a junior at Loyola Blakefield High School, he initiated and is president of the Games Club, and has been a member of the chess, German and robotics Clubs. Proud parents are Leslie and Mark Heuser.  In addition to the Scout of the Year award, rank advancements were presented and new patrol leaders installed during the Court of Awards.

James R. LaVey, a retired systems equipment engineer who was also a decorated World War II gunner and longtime Boy Scout advocate, died Saturday of pneumonia at his Timonium home. He was 87. "He was a giant among Scout volunteers and was a kind friend to many," said Jack Simons, a longtime friend and Scoutmaster who lives in Cockeysville. "He will be dreadfully missed. " James Robert LaVey, the son of a production manager and a homemaker, was born and raised in Chicago, where he graduated in 1942 from Kelvyn Park High School.

This week my kids will be packing for summer camp with their Boy Scout troop. For my 15-year-old, it's a familiar routine. In fact, he complains he'll be bored because he's seen and done it all before. For the 11-year-old, it's a different story. This will be the first time he has spent an entire week away from home and he's nervous. He's always been rather ambivalent about outdoor camping. He doesn't like bugs, especially spiders. Now he knows he'll have to spend a week sleeping in a tent.

I now fell much safer knowing that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations authorities have captured the flea market gang that was threatening our country with phony merchandise ("Counterfeits long suspected at market," April 24). It seems to me that they could have deputized a Boy Scout troop led by a couple crossing guards to apprehend these desperadoes while homeland security folks were stopping the daily flood of illegal immigrants, including terrorists, from entering the country.

Leadership Through Athletics, a non-profit organization located in Lansdowne, would like to publicly recognize the extraordinary service provided by Mike Duffy, a Catonsville resident. A member of Boy Scout Troop 456, Mike's Eagle Scout leadership service project provided landscaping and safety improvements to the outside of our facility. On behalf of our staff and board, we thank Mike; his leader, Sean Burke, and the Boy Scouts of America. Dr. G. Thomas Grace Catonsville

Many people see problems and ask why someone isn't doing something about it. Not Stephen Brown. When he recognized the environmental issues created by castoff monofilament fishing line, which is hazardous to birds, fish, animals and boaters, Stephen took action. A member of Boy Scout Troop 973 in Abingdon, Stephen and his fellow Scouts worked along with Harford County Parks and Recreation specialists Chad McGraw and Meghan Denhard to develop and implement an Eagle Scout project which resulted in the construction and placement of 13 bins specifically for the disposal of used fishing line.

Owen Brown Community Association is justly proud of Boy Scout Troop 613, which it sponsors.The troop won first place in the first Howard County Envirothon Competition.Venture Crew members Life Scouts John Anders, Steve Barth, Chris Lay and Justin Earp, First Class Scout Russell Brammer and Explorer Scout Valerie Brammer have been working on their project since January.They attended workshops at the University of Maryland Extension Farm to gain expertise in the five project divisions: wildlife, forestry, soils, aquatics and ground water.

BOY SCOUT TROOP 320 of Manchester will sponsor its second annual golf tournament, a fund-raiser for camping expeditions, May 10 at Oakmont Green Golf Club in Hampstead. Last year's tournament was a success, and the Scouts are seeking support from community businesses to provide perks and prizes for the event. Businesses and organizations that donate merchandise will be recognized in a publication and will be acknowledged during the tournament. Proceeds from last year's golf tournament helped send about 12 Scouts to a high-adventure camp in Florida.

Welcome home, Boy Scout Troop 361 members Danny Schofield, Daniel Pomeranz, Alec Font, Tim Lieberman, Michael LeRoy, Stephen Watson, Paul Watson, Luke Bosley, Josh Merrihew and Troop leaders Steve Merrihew, Gavin Watson and John Bosley. The group recently returned from a trip to New Mexico's Philmont Scout Ranch, the Boy Scouts of America's largest national high-adventure base. Situated in the Rocky Mountains, the camp is about 214 square miles of rugged wilderness terrain and steep mountains tops.

May 23 marked a big day for the boys of Boy Scout Troop 007 . During a spring Court of Honor ceremony led by Senior Patrol Leader Louis Colangelo and Scoutmaster John Alden, the boys were recognized for their advancements. Mike Bishop, Robert Daniel, Will Connor, Eric Saulsbury, Aaron Brent, Nick Condron, Ryan Condron, Tom Condron, Alex Hanon, Austen Rhomann, A.J. Tribaldi, and Luke Barragan were among those honored. Many other scouts were recognized for earning merit badges.