By Steve Thrasher
Another new school year is upon us. This brings the start of many new activities. For Boy Scout
Troop 235, the activities never stopped. The Troop meets year-round, but still, the beginning of
the school year is traditionally a time when some new Scouts join the Troop.
The Troop invites boys at least age 11 (5th grade) and their parents to stop by any weekly
meeting to get more information about Scouting and the Troop.
The Troop meets each Tuesday from 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m. in the Scout building located in the lower
parking lot at Thrasher Memorial Methodist Church, 707 Washington Ave. in Vinton.
Scouts have been meeting here since 1956 and have always been an active part of the
community. Most recently the Troop has assisted the Vinton First Aid Crew at their rehab area at
the end of the Dogwood festival parade for several years.
Scouts have helped place flags on the
graves of veterans at Mountain View Cemetery for Veterans Day and Memorial Day holidays.
The troop also participated in American flag retirement ceremonies for several years.
retirement ceremony. (file photo)
In addition to community service, Scouts have fun exploring history and learning new skills.
There is more to Scouting than the campfires, knot tying and lifesaving skills many people
associate with the Boy Scouts.
Scouts have been to summer camp in Hiawasee, Virginia, and to
the Seven Ranges Camp in Ohio this year. Locally, they have been canoeing and kayaking at
Carvins Cove, swimming at the Lancerlot Sports Center, skating at Firehouse skate center, taken
trips to Guilford Courthouse National Park, and participated in other local camping trips.
many activities like scout camp. (photos courtesy of Steve Thrasher)
Since its inception in 1910, more than 130 million youth have participated in Boy Scout
programs with 35 million adult volunteers assisting. Their aim is to prepare young people for
lives of impact and purpose. Scouts earn merit badges along the journey and work towards
achieving Scouting’s highest rank—Eagle Scout.
The organization was chartered by Congress to serve our nation’s youth by instilling the values
enumerated in the Scout Oath and Law.
- Boy Scout Oath: “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically
strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” - Boy Scout Law: “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind,
obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”
If you are interested in our next adventure, you can come by to see us at any Tuesday night
meeting at 7 p.m. at the Thrasher Scout Building.
