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Staff Photo / Bob Coupland Andy Stefurak, Boy Scout Leader, right, shows a pine derby display with cars built by Cubs and Boy Scouts to area children Sunday inside Howland Community Church, where a celebration of 80 years of scouting took place in Howland. The children watched the cars move along the constructed track.
HOWLAND – In 1941 Boy Scout Troop 28 was established in Howland and 80 years later is still part of the community working in partnership with Troop 122.
Kevin McGee, program scout leader for Troop 28/122, speaking at a celebration at Howland Community Church marking 80 years of Scouting in the township, said the Boy Scouts started in 1910, but that Scouting came to Howland 31 years later.
“This is a community celebration showcasing service in Scouting over the past 80 years. There are many local Scouting programs related to this chartered Scout troop since 1941. Today we have a 28/122 troop split between Howland Community Church and Howland United Methodist Church ”, McGee said.
He said about 400 people, including many from local religious congregations, stopped by the five-hour event and many asked how their children could join.
The theme of the event was community service.
Troops 28 and 122 began working together five years ago as membership grew. Troop 122 had existed for over 10 years.
Mike Fisher of Cortland, troop leader 28/122, said the event brought together Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cubs from Howland for a day.
Fisher, who won his Eagle Scout Award 32 years ago, said the Boy Scouts attended a combined worship service at Howland Community Church, where the two troops and Cubs meet. Pastor Erica Brown of Howland Community Church and Pastor Matt Darrin of Howland United Methodist Church led the service.
“As a community we wanted to promote the benefits of Scouting”, Fisher said.
McGee said local troops have completed hundreds of Eagle Scout projects over the years, including 40 in the past 20 years.
Scouting campsites, campfire cooking and other demonstrations were presented on the church lawn.
Scouts and the public also had the chance to throw tomahawks.
Collin Jackson, 8, of Howland Pack 122, said the day was fun and got him to do new things like a Lego scarf.
Anthony Bettura, 19, from Howland, who has been in Scouting since the age of 6, is now Assistant Scout Leader. He helped set up several activities.
Mitchell McEvoy, 12, of Fowler, and member of Troop 28/122, demonstrated how to pitch a tent and also how to light a fire.
“When setting up a tent, you really need to know your knots” he said.
The event also included exhibits put on by other local groups and organizations such as Howland Food Bank, Howland Rotary and the Howland Historical Society. There was also a backpack gift.
“We invited groups from the Howland community to be part”, McGee said.
Local Girl Scout Troop 80179 participated and often joined the Boy Scouts in various projects.
Cory and Rachel Knowlton from Cortland brought their three children, Andrew, 6, Leah, 8 and Emily 3, to the event. The family tried to guess the names of the animal skulls on a table.
The children took turns looking at skulls and various skins of local animal species.
Jim Rapone, Deputy Scout Leader of 28/122 Troop, said the local Howland Scout troops have achieved a lot over the years.
A display set up inside the church was to remember James Holinbaugh, who was a Boy Scout leader for many years and had recently passed away and donated money to local Boy Scouts to help local children who wish to join scouting.
“We have had so many people who have asked how their children can be a part of Scouting” McGee said.
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