PINE GROVE — Contributions the Boy Scouts made to their community many moons ago remain visible today in the borough.
In return, the community’s investment into its youth has ensured a century’s worth of scouting excellence.
On Sunday, Boy Scout Troop 611 was honored during its 100th anniversary at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. Hundreds of well-wishers, parents and grandparents filled the 277 S. Tulpehocken St. church on “Scout Sunday” to congratulate the scouts and their leaders for the troop’s longevity and positive impact it’s had on multiple generations.
“You are the most important people in this room today,” Pastor Jason Stump told the scouts.
Stump directed scouts seated in the first row of the church to notice the name written in memoriam on the front pew, “Uncle Billy Smith.”
“He was the first Scoutmaster of your troop,” Stump said.
The troop originally started out as Troop 1, and later was known as Troop 111 until being reorganized as Troop 611. Also this year, the troop is approaching its 80th person to become an Eagle Scout. The very first Eagle Scout for the troop — and for all of Schuylkill County — was John Thomas in 1925. The church has a display board in its fellowship hall featuring the Eagle Scouts’ names from the troop.
Kevin Flemming, Cubmaster of Cub Pack 611, said there are 68 Cub Scouts in the group and 11 of them were participating in Sunday’s program. The pack participated in the Pinewood Derby and a Christmas party at school. They also have several trips planned, including attending a hockey game, a monster truck rally and possibly an excursion to either Philadelphia or Baltimore.
“We hope they continue on their path,” Flemming said.
Scoutmaster Ronald Hepler Jr. said there are 20 members in Boy Scout Troop 611, and 15 of them were a part of Sunday’s service. Hepler said the troop fared well at the Hawk Mountain derby and is planning for its camp out at Camp Pine Grove and a snow tubing and hockey trip. The scouts were also slated to assist with a community pancake breakfast in March.
“We are active and try to do a lot of community service,” Hepler said.
Stump, who became one of the troop’s Eagle Scouts in 1993, referenced many of those service projects, including works by past Eagle Scouts that are still standing today. A ramp near Camp Pine Grove was his Eagle Scout project, he said.
Two scouts who have made recent improvements to the community are Eagle Scout Donald Legarht and Brad Bowers, who’s hoping to complete work for his Eagle Scout award this year. Legarht, 19, built a 20-by-30-foot pavilion at the Pine Grove Little League Field concession stand and received his Eagle award in 2015.
“We’re a big part of the community and they know what we do here,” said Legarht, who currently serves as assistant scoutmaster and is studying criminal justice at Lock Haven University.
Bowers, meanwhile, has been working on gutting the inside of the Stanhope One Room School House so drywall and electrical improvements can proceed.
“The Pinegrove Historical Society owns it and wants to turn it into a museum,” Bowers, 17, of Pine Grove, said. He’s been working over the past two months on the project and has logged close to 350 hours.
The troop’s Boy Scouts meet in the church at 7 p.m. Wednesday nights, while the Cub Scouts meet at the church several days throughout the week due to the high number of participants.
Pine Grove has the most scouts, based on population, in the entire council, according to Adrienne Wrona, Black Rock district executive of the Hawk Mountain Council.
“Its cub pack is the largest in the district,” she said.
Wrona said the Boy Scouts of America designates the Sunday preceding Feb. 8 as “Scout Sunday” and it’s a nationally celebrated event. The Boy Scouts of America marked their 100th anniversary in 2010.
In recognition of the troop’s 100 years, Wrona presented a certificate Sunday to Hepler and Sharon Legarht, committee chairperson, who accepted on behalf of Troop 611.
State Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, also presented the troop a citation from the state House of Representatives, praising the troop for its contributions to its community and willingness to work.
Scouts assisted throughout the service with various duties, including the posting of colors, scripture readings and collecting the offering.
Stump encouraged the congregation to “live life as though we are leaving it to the children.” He urged scouts to contemplate what their vision will be.
“I hope you lead the way, let your light shine before others,” he said.
Stump asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of scouts and their leaders who have passed away. Boy Scout Andrew Mindy played taps.