Members of Northgate United Methodist Boy Scout Troop 175 of Irving recently visited Hale Scout Reservation in Talihina, Oklahoma for a week. The camp is part of the Indian Nations Council of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The week featured not only cooler temperatures but learning skills such as engineering, first aid, graphic arts, adventure skills such as snow skiing and kayaking, and open air tent camping.

The 17 boys and 6 adults awoke at the crack of dawn to make the 4 hour trip.  Prior to leaving on Sunday morning, Northgate’s Pastor Margie  Steele prayed with the Scouts reminding them of their duty to God as the twelfth point of the Scout law.

During the week, Scouts spent their days participating in classes on various topics from Astronomy to Whitewater Rafting.  The boys braved the daily rains and the thorough drenching they each received during the day, always mustering up a good attitude.  The nights at the camp were lively with tales of the day’s class antics and laughter from young men enjoying the great outdoors and the camaraderie of their fellow Scouts.

The highlight of the trip for Assistant Scoutmaster Joey Castleberry was the relaxation of being able to sit in a camping chair and watch pine trees blowing in the gentle, cool breeze.  Adult Leader Donna Love stated, “I didn’t know you could have so much fun in the rain.” Another Assistant Scoutmaster David Robin laughingly commented on the climb to the chow hall as “Cardiac Hill.”

Troop 175 Adult Scouters under the leadership of Scoutmaster Mark Sligar were especially appreciative of the willingness of the camp staff to work with the youth even in their free time.  Each youth staff member was an Eagle Scout or a Gold Scout in Girl Scouts.

As the tents came down and sleeping bags and trunks were loaded on the trailer for the long trip home, Scouts began to realize that this was their last camping trip adventure  before it was back to school again for another year.

Four friends from Irving Boy Scout Troop 508 recently spent two weeks in the backcountry of Philmont Scout Ranch located in Cimarron, New Mexico. As the Scouts braved the elements of the changing temperature variances from rain, hail, cold and heat, they were constantly aware that they were in bear country.  They ate dehydrated food and put everything up a line in a bear bag each night.  The 60 mile plus trek took them to an elevation of over 12,000 feet all the while carrying everything they needed in their backpacks to sustain life.  They were prepared to meet every challenge from sore, blistered feet to looking for good drinking water in a mountain spring.

Life Scout Jesse Perkins stated, “Going to Philmont Scout Ranch was a great experience!  At the end of the trail, I was torn between wanting to go home and take several hot showers and get some of Mom’s home cooking or stay a while longer.  The wilderness was incredible and the views were fantastic”!

Becky Pullum, 53, of Irving and daughter, Rachel, 19, headed out on a recent summer time adventure with Boy Scout Venturing Crew 769 that was to include a 60 mile hike in the beautiful mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch, in Cimarron, New Mexico.  On day five of the two week trek, Rachel sustained a back injury and their trip was cut short.  Pullum brings back her back woods experience to benefit Scouts in the newly restored Boy Scout Troop 771, chartered by Kirkwood United Methodist Church.  The troop meets every Tuesday evening at the refurbished Scout hut near the church. Troop 771 Scoutmaster Jim Pullum invites all interested boys from 6^th grade thru 12^th grade to come check them out and see all the fun, exciting things they are doing.

Summer months seem to bring an outpouring of Patriotism in area Scouts.  Scouts have been active in Memorial Day ceremonies at the DFW Cemetery, Flag Day Ceremonies, Flag Retirement Services, Independence Day Celebrations, the Great Irving Flag Caper, trips to DFW airport to greet the Troops returning home and various other area events presenting the “Call to Colors”. 

On May 25th, Valley Ranch Cub Scout Pack 873 traveled to Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery to assist attendees with programs and water at a Memorial Day Remembrance.  The program honored all veterans interred at this National Shrine.  As a 21 gun salute sounded across the flag laden meadow, Cub Scouts stood at attendance under the direction of Den Leader Ret. Col. Steve Roop. Patriotism was evident as a hush came over the crowd and Scouts while patriotic music resounded the hills.

On June 14^th, the Benevolent Order of the Elks celebrated Flag Day with the assistance of Irving Northgate United Methodist Troop 175. As Narrator and Scout, Austin Reedy related the history of the Stars and Stripes dating back to the 1777 Continental Congress resolution, 9 flags representing flags previously flown in the United States were presented and saluted by Troop members. Past District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler Ed Salazar stated, “ The Order of the Elks is the only organization that requires mandatory observance of Flag Day by every Lodge. The story of our flag was written in blood and sweat.  It is further noted that we honor “Old Glory” by saying the Pledge of Allegiance.” On August 3^rd, 1949, President Truman (himself a member of the Elks) signed an Act of Congress designating June 14^th of each year as National Flag Day. 

In another section of the city, another type of patriotic flag celebration was occurring. As befitting the day, a flag retirement ceremony was held at the BSA headquarters parking area.  As Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts witnessed each flag being retired, there was a hush over the crowd as Boy Scout Mike Love and William Canales of Troop 175 bugled Taps.

Independent Day, July 4^th was a special treat for Scouts to revel in the fun and excitement of the Irving parade. As Pack 771 readied their float for the frolic, the Cub Scouts anxiously discussed how to properly toss their bags of candy.  Amazing how a parade brings out the generosity of children to share their goodies. Cubmaster Tony Fairley, was anxious to get the show on the road so the Cubs could wave their flags and share their excitement with others. 

Eagle Scout Travis Huffmaster, 16, of Valley Ranch Baptist Church Troop 840 has a heart for helping those in need.  His Eagle project reflected just such an attitude.  He led and supervised a collection drive benefiting families at the Scottish Rite Hospital.  He successfully collected 1046 items to help children and their families spending day and months at the hospital have a more comfortable stay.  Families and sick children have benefited from books, DVDs, toiletry items and art supplies.

The Coppell High School 11^th grader has been very active in sports such as Cross Country, track and the hockey team.

During his Scouting career, he has earned 33 merit badges including the God and Church award and held various positions in his troop such as Den Chief, Patrol Leader, Scribe and Camp instructor.  He has also equipped himself as a leader having taken courses such as Oak Leaf and then taking those skills learned to staff Oak Leaf and Camporee.  He is a member of the Order of the Arrow which is the honor society for Boy Scouts of America.

Huffmaster is the son of Lynell and Terry Huffmaster of Coppell.  He would like to thank all the adult leaders of Troop 840 for their support and help during his trail to achieving Eagle Rank.

On June 24, Eagle Scout Kyle Mulvin from Troop 770 was not only celebrating his 19^th birthday, but he also received a $1000.00 scholarship, sponsored by Express Personnel in Irving. 

Kyle was volunteering at Western Star’s Day Camp at Camp Wisdom in Duncanville for the eighth year in a row as a lifeguard when the scholarship committee decided to publicly announce his award. 

Clif Chamberlain, scholarship committee chairman was on hand at camp to formally honor Kyle and his accomplishments and to announce him as the 2009 Western Star Eagle Scout Scholarship recipient. 

Recently, Boy Scouts of America offered a scholarship opportunity to Eagle Scouts who were graduating seniors in Irving and Coppell. The candidates were to write an essay on what they thought were their greatest accomplishments. 

Kyle graduated MacArthur High School in June 2009. While attending MacArthur, he played varsity football and ran track.  He struggled a bit in his academia courses, but never gave up. He continued to move forward throughout his high school years despite his academic struggles. He showed that hard work really does pay off. 

He is enrolled to attend North Lake Community College this fall. 

This is the second year in a row that Mike Overby, President of Express Personnel, has donated a $1000.00 to sponsor the Western Star Eagle Scout Scholarship. Our district is very appreciative for Overby’s kindness and generosity. This is a great way to be able to honor an Eagle Scout on a job well done and to help contribute toward their college expenses.

By: Dawn Foster

Mark Sligar, Scoutmaster for Irving's Northgate United Methodist Boy Scout Troop 175 received his Wood Badge beads at a recent ceremony conducted by Alan Clark of Duncanville.  Receiving the ceremonial neckerchief, woggle and beads symbolizes the completion of the Boy Scouts of America adult Wood Badge training course.

Clark was the Scoutmaster for the Wood Badge 84 Training Course which was conducted at Camp Wisdom Boy Scout Camp near Duncanville.

Sligar is a member of the Buffalo Patrol led by Troop Guide, John Daugherty of Richardson.  Another leader in Troop 175 who also attended the Wood Badge training session was Joey Castleberry of the Bob White patrol.  Castleberry received his beads earlier in 2009.

Wood Badge is a comprehensive training course started by Robert S. S. Baden-Powell, founder of Boy Scouts, to help leaders improve their skills, expand their understanding of boys and of other adults, and go on to new levels of personal growth and learning as scouters.  The course is recommended for all adult leaders and volunteers in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing.

For more information regarding the Wood Badge training course or Boy Scouts of America, contact District Executive Norberto Diaz at nodiaz@bsamail.org.

After several years of serving as a den leader from Tigers through Webelos II and then two years as Cubmaster, Sam Hill has turned the reins over to a new Cubmaster, Tony Fairley.  Fairley is no stranger to Pack 771 as he was active on the Pack Committee as well as served as a Tiger Cub leader and Assistant Cubmaster. 

Fairley has taken many hours of training and certification to prepare himself for his role in Pack 771.  Pack 771 enjoyed participating in the Irving July 4^th parade under the leadership of Cubmaster Fairley. 

Hill, having recently completed his Wood Badge training, has crossed over to Boy Scouts with his son, Ryan, to Troop 588 and is using his experience and skills with that unit.

For more information regarding Boy Scouts of America, contact District Executive Norberto Diaz at nodiaz@bsamail.org.