Boy Scouts provide character development, fun, lifelong friends

For over 50 years, Boy Scout Troop 54 has been shaping members into young leaders.
Staci Zomok is in her third year as Assistant Scout Master. Each year the Scouts participate in roadside cleanup on Highway 10, assist the Lions Club with the Taste of Italy, and help out wherever they are needed.
This year the Scouts are teaching at the Whitetails Unlimited youth day. They have one meeting and one activity each month.
Troop 54, which is chartered by the Durand Lions, currently consists of 12 Scouts and 13 leaders. Boys can join the Scouts in first grade, and through fifth grade move through the Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Wevbolo 1 and 2 dens prior to the first rank. When a boy is 11 or completes fifth grade, he enters the Scout rank.
"The Scouts have to learn the promise, oath, and signs to be in the first rank," Zomok said.
Next, Scouts earn the Tenderfoot rank, where they learn first aid, physical fitness, and how to tie select knots.
The third rank is Second Class, where Scouts learn orienteering, more first aid, and more advanced knots. Next comes First Class, where Scouts learn to cook outdoors, and safe food handling procedures, as well as first aid and knots.
Scouts next advance to Star rank by having a leadership role in the troup, completing community service hours, and earning six merit badges.
After teaching younger Scouts, earning five more badges and completing more service hours, Scouts advance to Life rank. As they assume more leadership roles, complete a large project, and earn a total of 21 merit badges, a Scout can advance to Eagle Scout, the highest rank available.
As an Eagle Scout, Scouts can continue to earn bronze, silver, and gold palms by earning 5 merit badges per palm. Around 115 total merit badges are available.
Zomok said she began her role in the Scouts when her son was in first grade. This is her eighth year in a leadership position for the Scouts.
"He signed up for the Tiger Scouts, and the leader was really busy, so I offered to help out," she said. "Four months later, the cub master moved and passed the role onto me."
Zomok said the adults become a second family.
"The boys become really good friends," she said. "I think the Scouts gives the boys an outlet based on good moral judgement, and teaches them a way to have fun and be outdoors, getting them away from TV and games."
Zomok said the boys also develop a sense of pride.
"The things they do are all achieveable," she said. "They can be proud of what they do."
Unit Committee Chair Tim Carlisle, who originally started the Tiger Scouts in Durand, said the Scouts touches a lot of lives.
"It's easy to see what it does with the boys," he said.
Carlisle is a leader at the National Youth Leader Training, which is held at Camp Phillips. He has been a staff member at the Council Level for 12 years. To participate, Scouts must be 13 years old and First Class rank.
"It's held from Sunday to Saturday," he said. "The boys do their own cooking at their campsites."
Four Scouts from Durand attended the training this year.
"It just adds so much to everybody's lives," he said.
"Scouting is very much a family thing," Zomok said. "Everyone is able to come to meetings and feel welcome."
The Scouts also hold Scouting for Food in April each year, and helps out in the community when they can. Activities include Music in the Park, Durand Safe Day, and ringing bells for the Salvation Army. The Troop is also involved with the Durand Holidazzle parade.
Troop 54 has two Scouts currently working on Eagle rank.
"We're very fortunate to have as many Eagle Scouts as we do through the years," Carlisle said. "The boys form tight relationships and get a lot of support."
Life Scout Tim Brunner has been a member since fifth grade. Now a junior at Durand High School, Brunner said he had a lot of friends in the Scouts that made him want to join.
"My brother was an Eagle Scout, and I wanted to do the same," he said.
Brunner said his favorite part of Scouting is going to Camp Phillip.
"I feel like it's a little vacation getaway," he said. "We're able to get away from stress, do something different, and meet new people."
Brunner said being a Scout looks good on college applications.
"I've really made a lot of new friends, and I know more about life skills than my non-Scout friends," he said.
Brunner also said he enjoys the campouts.
"We go in the afternoon, have dinner, sleep in tents, make breakfast, then pack up," he said.
Brunner said in the Scouts, he's learned to respect people and their property and possessions.
"As a Scout, people hold you to high standards," he said.
Another of Brunner's favorite activities is a big sledding party in the winter.
"It's a lot of fun," he said.
Brunner is working on achieving Eagle Scout rank, and recently built a rock staircase to the statue of Mary at Round Hill.
"I just have a couple of finishing touches to add," he said. "By next spring I should have my ceremony for Eagle Scout."
Chase Hetrick, also a junior, has been in the Scouts since first grade.
"I wanted to join because I heard good things, and I've been in it ever since," he said.
Hetrick said he also enjoys going to Camp Phillip, and said the Scouts helps you meet new people.
"If you plan on going to college it can also help with that," he said. "I've learned to respect people and be more polite."
Hetrick just started his Eagle Scout project at Arkansaw Creek Park, working on the pavilion.
"I'm putting on new tin, painting, and putting on new doors to prevent theft," he said. "I'm working with the Arkansaw Fur, Fish, and Game."