Who Are Our Leaders
All of our parent-leaders of Newburyport, MA Troop 21 are un-paid volunteers. We are a blend of folks; that have had extensive Scout Leader training from our local Spirit of Adventure Council - Scouts BSA and who have lend organizing assistance to the troop.
Meet Our Leaders
Boy Troop Scout Master Len Wallace IV
Boy Troop Assistant Scout Master Jenn Troisi
Boy Troop Assistant Scout Master L.B. Wallace V
Girl Troop Scout Master Dr. Michelle LaFlemme
Executive Officer Fr. Timothy Harrison
Charter Org. Rep. Chris Cody
Boy Troop Committee Chair Richard Jean
Girl Troop Committee Chair L.B. Wallace V
Secretary-Treasurer Rosemary Blouin
Advancement Chair Melissa Cody
Meet Our Committee Members
Boy Committee Member Michael Torisi
Boy Committee Member Tom Haywood
Boy Committee Member Bruce Menin
Boy Committee Member Kim Spinney
Boy Committee Member Neal Spinney
Boy Committee Member Carol Wallace
Boy Committee Member Bill Woodbury
Boy Committee Member Robert Ciampitti
Boy Committee Member Chris Cody
Girl Committee Member Lauren Kanigher
Girl Committee Member Carol Wallace
Expectations Of Our Adults
Adults in roles of responsibility are expected to regularly attend monthly committee meetings, and perform the duties of their roles in an ethical and professional manner. Troop parents, with roles or not, are expected to regularly attend full troop meetings and events to monitor and assist their sons as needed. Parents should not consider the monthly troop meetings as “drop-off” events. Further, troop parents are encouraged to attend camp-outs, and venue based trips, even if they are not on the troop committee.
Our Troop Meeting Schedule
There is no formal published calendar format at this time, though we would like to explore the best way to do this. Regularly scheduled activities include:
-
Monthly Troop Committee Meetings: 1st Sunday of each month, Sept-Jun, in the I.C. Church basement
-
Monthly full Troop Meetings: 3rd Sunday of each month, Sept-Jun, in the I.C. Church basement
-
Hidden Valley Scout Camp: 1 week overnight-camp in Gilmanton, NH, usually late June
-
Court of Honor : Usually 1 COH in fall, and 1 in spring
-
Various Troop Activities Including: Weekend camping; visits to state & historic sites; sports venues; etc.
Why all the paperwork to join?
As mentioned below, some paperwork exists to accurately document each boy’s accomplishments as a Scout. Additionally, there is extensive paperwork and training from the national organization that ensures the safety of all participants, at a wide variety of scout related events.
As a scout makes their way through the Boy Scout program they have the opportunity to achieve a series of ranks: Tenderfoot, First-Class, Second-Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. Furthermore a series of Merit Badge achievements parallels the rank progression, with 11 named badges required plus 11 elective badges to qualify as an Eagle Scout. The Blue Cards are a 3-part form that ensures a record of Merit Badge completion for the Scout, for the Merit Badge Counselor, and for the Troop & local Scout Council. The card tracks partial completion of a badge when needed, allowing a badge to be completed over time.
How Our Adults &
Scouts Give Back
In addition to our leadership roster, many of our parents have volunteered, and have been trained as Merit Badge counselors. They impart skill, hobby, and vocational knowledge to our scouts about an extensive list of Scouts BSA required and elective Merit Badges. Our parents also with the aid of older scouts help new scouts with small group organization around a “patrol” theme.
Along with our adults, our older scouts give back through teaching the new scouts elements from their handbook during troop meetings or on camping trips. They also are the backbone of our community volunteer work by showing our younger members what to do wether it be running blood packs at a Red Cross Blood Drive or how to properly assemble a park bench during an Eagle Scout project.
Our Troop Philosophy
Newburyport, MA Troop 21 recognizes the very busy, lives of our members and their parents. We focus on Eagle attainment via traditional rank and merit badge advancement. Within this framework there are opportunities to lead and volunteer for scouts and their parents. Parents who can give some of their time to the troop are encouraged to seek out a leader listed above. Scouts, who come to the troop seeking Eagle Scout attainment, must be ready to undertake the multi-year effort for all 21 required Merit badges and the 5 ranks prior to Eagle. We are proud to say that Troop 21’s support for such scouts has resulted in the troop with one of the highest Eagle Scout attainment rate within the local Spirit of Adventure council.
The Troop's Demographics
There is no formal survey data that defines our troop. Anecdotally, our scout members range in age from 12 – 18 years old, (scouts age out at 18). Around 90% of the scouts have had Cub Scout experience, and then “crossed-over” to Boy Scouts. About 80% live in Newburyport, the rest in neighboring communities, (residency not required). Around 60% attend Newburyport public schools, 40% attend parochial or private schools, or are home-schooled. Parental income levels, marital status, and ethnicity, are varied; all are welcome.
