Welcome to Troop 3’s New Website!
Scoutmaster’s Welcome
We are glad you are here! Let me tell you about our Troop and what makes Troop 3 a special place within an outstanding youth program. Troop 3 was founded in 1912, just two years after Scouting in the United States began. Troop 3, chartered by Mill Plain Union Church, has been in continuous service to boys and their families ever since.
What is Scouting?
When a young boy joins Scouting, he enters a very safe and well-designed program that will build within him a solid moral foundation, so he learns to act ethically and live a virtuous life. Let me explain how those are not just words. In Scouting we use a challenging outdoor experience of hiking, camping, swimming, summer camp, community service, and high adventure to get the Scouts working together and helping one another succeed. The older Scouts lead the younger Scouts under qualified adult supervision and discipline. While the Scouts are helping each other to learn traditional Scouting skills and overcome challenges (learning how to “DO”), they are learning the Scout Oath and Law. Scouts learn the duties of the Scout Oath: to God, Country, Self, and Others. They learn to put into use a set of 12 standards that guide their behavior in the Scout Law. They learn to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and revenant. (learning how to “BE”)
Boys Leading Boys
While growing in the program, Scouts earn ranks by demonstrating proficiency in the skills and positions in which they develop leadership. While they grow in skills, leadership, and confidence, they also grow in their knowledge of, and ability to guide their lives by, the Scout Oath and Law. Should they ever lose their way in the woods they will know what to do. Likewise, should they ever lose their way in life, or want to help a friend who has lost theirs, they will know the way back. So they learn to live their lives morally, knowing right from wrong and choosing right. They will be ethical leaders for their families, at their jobs, and on projects, always looking out for the common good. They will know how to use their experience to live a life of virtue. They will form lifelong friendships and share a special common bond.
Join Us!
This is what we produce in Scouting and at Troop 3. I invite you to browse our website, review our Facebook posts, drop in for a visit, and I hope you join our family. Thank you!
Pictured: Scoutmaster Emeritus William T. “Bones” Meo Sr. and John Leary (Troop 3 Eagle Scout) and current Scoutmaster. John Leary joined Troop 3 as a youth in 1978 and served under Bill “Bones” Meo for over 40 years becoming Scoutmaster in 2019 upon Bones’ retirement after completion of 51 years as Troop 3 Scoutmaster.