caption:
Mixing
Troop 21 Patrol Leader Brendin Adams mixed pancake batter for the other Scouts’ breakfast, when the troop camped out on the grounds during the Circle of Fun at St. Mary Church of the Visitation. Photo: John D. Ryan
PUTNAM — Sleep in a tent for a couple of nights, dump out a few trash barrels, cook breakfast, do some calisthenics, collect some merit badges and ride a few carnival rides – that sums up Troop 21’s weekend at St. Mary’s annual “Circle of Fun.”
Boy Scout Troop 21 has been chartered to, and meeting at, St. Mary Church of the Visitation on Providence Street since its founding in 1995. So every September, the Scouts contribute to the parish’s annual “Circle of Fun” fund-raising carnival by picking up the trash.
“We want to give back to the people that sponsor us,” said Scoutmaster Peter Lombardo. “The church supports us and gives us a place to meet and keep our stuff all year, so we want our Scouts to help the church when they can. Besides, we like camping out here, right in the neighborhood. The kids have a good time.”
Although Troop 21 is chartered by St. Mary’s, Scouts do not have to be Catholic or be members of the church.
“We’re open to any boy 11 to 17,” Lombardo said. “Also, boys with special needs are welcome and Troop 21 does not turn away any boy for financial reasons. “
The weekend wasn’t all trash barrels and carnival rides, however. The troop also took part in the Tenderfoot Fitness Program, which includes sit-ups, push-ups, the sit-reach for flexibility and a mile run. The Scouts started working on the program in May.
“I wanted the guys to see that they could do this,” said Assistant Scoutmaster Casey Dundon, who ran the mile with the Scouts. “We’re trying to teach them to get into shape now, so they can stay that way for life.”
Because “a Scout is Reverent,” the weekend also included attendance at Mass, in uniform. This was done with the parent’s permission. “We respect every parent’s right to guide their son’s religious education as they see fit. Most of our boys aren’t Catholic,” Lombardo said.
The “Circle of Fun” was also a chance for Troop 21 families to get together and publicly recognize their Scouts for their merit badges, awards and other accomplishments, so Saturday evening was set aside for the presentation ceremonies.
“The guys did great,” Lombardo said. “Every Troop 21 Scout earned at least one merit badge at July’s week of summer camp.”
After attending Camp Mattatuck in Plymouth in July, Troop 21 hiked the Air Line Trail in August, visiting the marker where Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island come together. Now that the “Circle of Fun” is over, the Scouts are preparing for a Scout camporee next month at J. N. Webster Scout Reservation in Ashford. This will be followed by a wilderness camping trip, another hike, a Providence Bruins game, a winter camping trip, a food drive for local needy people, a weekend at an archery range, and finishing the troop’s annual program next June with its annual fishing trip.
Troop 21’s Scoutmaster noted that a Boy Scout troop’s operations are run by the boys, with the adults guiding and teaching them as needed, overseeing transportation and making sure everyone is healthy and safe.
For information about joining Troop 21, call Scoutmaster Lombardo at (860) 963-0171 and leave a message or send an email to
..
