(above) Venture Crew 28 during their 100-mile high adventure hiking expedition at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico over the summer.
Scouts Units Welcomed by Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
Submitted by Joe Basralian
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Chatham is the new Charter Organization of Boy Scout Troop 28, BSA Troop 280, and Venture Crew 28, effective January 1, 2020.
The three scouting units are delighted to be welcomed by Gloria Dei, a thriving community with beautiful facilities at 300 Shunpike Avenue, near the entrance to Cougar Fields.
“With change comes great opportunity, and we’re very excited for the abundant new possibilities,” said Bob Willmot, Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 28.
Troop 28 has been chartered with Stanley Congregational Church in Chatham for 83 years since the Troop’s founding in 1936. Well over a thousand Scouts in that time have come through the program, which builds young people’s character, capabilities, and confidence as they grow towards adulthood. Venture Crew 28 formed in 2016, and BSA Troop 280 for girls formed in early 2019. Scouts assume leadership roles in their communities and nation and learn to live by a strong moral code – including being Trustworthy, Loyal and Helpful — throughout their lives.
Boy Scout Troop 28 consists of boys ages 11-17; BSA Troop 280 is for girls ages 11-17; and Venture Crew 28 is currently girls ages 14-20. BSA is a branding of the Boy Scouts of America.
“We are thrilled to welcome these three Scouting troops to Gloria Dei,” said Council Vice President, Brian Dempsey. “The positive feedback we received from congregation members and leadership allowed the approval process to move quickly. We wanted to make sure this was a good fit for both sides and we expect the transition to be a smooth one.”
As one of the nation’s largest youth and service non-profits, the Boy Scouts of America work extensively in their communities and assist with some of the service projects and needs of their charter organizations. Gloria Dei will also be the units’ meeting place and launching pad for their adventures, which range from wilderness camping, boating and rock climbing, to skill building across a wide variety of arenas, from backwoods engineering to entrepreneurship to veterinary medicine and much more.
“Scouting has given me invaluable lessons and important life experience,” said Luka Batljan, who recently achieved the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 28.
In 2019, BSA allowed girls to form Troops, in the way boys have done in America since 1910. “Since Troop 280 formed early this year, the girls have done so many amazing things together as Scouts,” said Scoutmaster Daniele Basralian. “As a parent and adult Scout leader, I can’t wait to see what the future brings.”
Always on the lookout for new experiences, Venture Crew 28 completed a 100-mile high adventure hiking expedition at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico over the summer. “It was a dream come true,” said Kate Lama, President of the Venture Crew.
Stanley Congregational Church announced earlier this year that it will be closing after an extraordinary history of serving Chatham and the surroundings since 1867. Richard Olmsted, who has been associated with Troop 28 as a Scout or Adult Leader since joining Boy Scouts in 1957, said, “We’re very grateful to Stanley. They’ve always been there for us. Without the parish and its members, Troop 28 couldn’t have thrived all these years.”
Boy Scout Troop 28 meets on Monday nights at 7:00 p.m. and conducts many weekend and summertime Scouting adventures. Venture Crew 28 meets one Thursday per month at 7:30 p.m. and goes on a different outdoor adventure each month. BSA Troop 280 meets 2-3 Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. during the school year and conducts many weekend and summertime Scouting adventures. To learn more, please contact the unit’s leader.
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations, providing programs for young people that build character and skills for life.
(above) BSA Troop 280 maneuvers a canoe over a fulcrum at a 2019 Jersey Jamboree obstacle course.
(above) Troop 28 is still thriving since its founding in 1936.
