Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Scouting is going strong, thanks to Troop 337

WAITSBURG-Scouting is about kids, family, and community. Waitsburg and its surrounding area, including Dayton and Prescott, are fortunate to be the home of Scout Troop 337.

Scoutmaster Justin Stegall, Assistant Scoutmaster Tim Hollingsworth, and Troop 337's committee members Jon Roberts, Sarah Roberts, Paul Mantz-Powers, and Brandi Hollingsworth have run the troop since restarting it in the spring of 2023.

On Monday, September 30, 2024, the troop will host a Court of Honor ceremony and an Open House for the community at the Lions Club Building at the Waitsburg Fairgrounds.

"Community members can encourage our current scouts as we celebrate rank advancements and recently earned merit badges," said committee member Sarah Roberts.

The event is an excellent opportunity for boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 17 to learn more about scouting and the Waitsburg troop.

Submitted photo

Waitsburg's Scout Troop 337 on its August camping trip.

In the past year, the scouts have enjoyed campouts and hiking trips where troop leadership introduced pioneering, orienteering, cooking, fishing, and good citizenship. The scouts have had opportunities to earn multiple merit badges as they gain these and other skills. On a recent campout, scouts tested their strength, agility, and balance on the Flying Raven Adventure course, an aerial-adventure at Crystal Mountain Resort.

Submitted photo

Scouts from Waitsburg's Troop 337 traveled across a river on a five-mile hike on the Pleasant Valley loop in the national forest between Yakima and Mount Rainier. The scouts made their camp at the Hells Crossing campground.

It takes a lot of support from parents, community, and local organizations to help scouts earn their merit badges. Roberts recognized The Lions Club who acts as the troop's charter organization, sponsors and helps with troop activities, and provides its building for many troop meetings. In return, the troop volunteers at the Lions Club Salmon BBQ, assisting with the event's parking. The BBQ is on Saturday, September 21, at 6 p.m. at the Don Thomas Building at the fairgrounds.

Troop 337 plans more council events this year, including offering a bigger scout camp next summer. Leadership hopes to expand troop membership, allowing more kids to participate in scouting. Kids from the Waitsburg, Prescott, or Dayton areas who cannot access local Scouting America (formerly BSA) troops are welcome to join Scout Troop 337. 

 

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