Albany Boy Scouts Celebrated

-By Peter Schakow, Commissioner for Troop 14 and Pack 3.

Albany's Scout Troop 14 held a well-attended Court of Honor, the first of this scouting year Tuesday night. In attendance were 32 Boy Scouts and 61 parents and guests, who arrived to celebrate the individual achievements of the boys.

At the ceremony, 22 of the Scouts earned a rank advancement, and 58 Merit Badges were earned by 29 of the Boy Scouts. Many other awards and recognitions were awarded during the evening. Troop 14 has grown tremendously in the last six months, doubling in size to more than 40 Scouts today. The many achievements demonstrates the vitality of the troop, lead by Scoutmaster Don Ford and a dozen other Scout Leaders. 

The Court of Honor was held at the Memorial building in Albany's Memorial Park on Portland Ave. The troop meets weekly on Tuesdays at this place, generously hosted by VFW, Post 292, which is the Charter organization for both Albany's Troop 14 and and Pack 3.

Earning ranks and Merit Badges is an important part of the education and training of Boy Scouts. During the first year when a boy joins the troop, he spends his time learning and practicing basic Scout skills such a handling knife and axe safely, how to build fires and learn many other survival and life skills. After that, each Scout works at his own pace to earn Merit Badges he chooses to take. A Scout must eventually earn at least 21 Merit Badges in order to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank achievable. Service is an important part of being a Scout and hundreds of hours are contributed by the Boy Scouts and adult leaders on service projects every year.

Scouting has grown in our area over the last three years and gives boys, ages 11 to 18 a chance to experience nature, team work and practice leadership skills they would be hard pressed to learn anywhere else. Any boy 11 years or older can join by visiting the troop on Tuesdays or visiting Troop 14's web site here.