First Baptist Elizabethton hosts Scout Troop 516 Court of Honor
Published 4:44 pm Tuesday, September 6, 2022
1 of 3
Contributed Photo With a near full capacity crowd in the fellowship hall with many new cub scout families in attendance, Den Chiefs led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Scout Pledge.
Contributed Photo Receiving awards were Jason Ingram, Logan Archambault, Sophie Guntenaar, Flynn Sheets, Walker McDaniel, Alexander Wallington, Jakob Pollitt, Mikalya Proffitt, Quin Carder, Victor Moore and Liam Seaton (not in picture or in attendance).
Contributed Photo Cubmaster Martha Pollitt called the 10 awardees to stand in front of the crowd and presented awards.
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
On Monday and Tuesday evenings of last week, Scout Troop 516 held its fall Court of Honor at First Baptist Church in Elizabethton. The event is to formally recognize both Scouts and Cubs Scouts who have advanced to the next rank, or who have earned merit badges over the summer months.
Troop 516 currently consists of Boy Scout Troop 516 and Cub Scout Pack 516. Scoutmaster Cindy Odum-Higgins and Packmaster Martha Pollitt have many years of experience and said they are excited to kick off a new year with this Court of Honor.
As stated on the BSA website, “The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. This preparation comes through scouting’s program of development, which relies heavily on goal setting, leadership training, and acquisition of a wide range of skills and knowledge. This progression of growth occurs during the regular activities of the troop and pack which includes a ‘work, learn and reward’ system of participation, merit badges and rank advancement. At a Court of Honor, the ceremony is held to honor and recognize the achievements of dedicated scouts and cubs.”
In total, the scouts were awarded 75 merit badges and 20 advancements in rank. The cubs were awarded 40 merit badges and 15 advancements in rank.
Both Cindy Higgins, Scout Master, and Martha Pollitt, Cub Master, are excited about the future of scouting in Troop 516. The Sequoyah Council recently held recruiting events at local schools and they said many new students have shown interest in both the pack and the troop. Interested youth can begin in either the cub pack or scout troop based on school grade; cubs grade 1-5 and scouts grade 6 and up.
As the Charter Organization, First Baptist Church hosts the weekly activities of the Troop 516 organization and strives to help the troop accomplish its mission for young people. Pastor Todd Hallman stated, “There is a great opportunity to share Christ with children and youth and help them develop the skills necessary to be community leaders, productive citizens, and above all — followers of Jesus Christ. Troop 516 takes its troop number from Matthew 5:16 which says, ‘Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.’ Troop 516 is focused upon shaping and developing the Christian faith and character of its members.”
Troop 516 is the only troop in Carter County and belongs to the Buffalo Mountain District of the Sequoyah Council of the BSA.
Currently, both the troop and pack have nearly 30 members each and they are seeing an increasing number of young students interested in the scouting program. If you have questions or if you have a child/youth who would like to become involved, please contact First Baptist Church (423) 543-1931 for more information.
