By Jason Brown, Asst. Scoutmaster, Troop 44G
(August 8, 2023) — Haddam’s own Scouts BSA Troop 44 spent the last week of July having a great time at summer camp. Every year the troop attends “Week 4” at Mattatuck Scout reservation. This year, 21 scouts, ranging in age from 11 to 17, enjoyed the week of fun and games. We swam, canoed, climbed a climbing tower, shot rifles and archery, tossed eggs off the climbing tower, built campfires, sailed, sang songs, did a ton of walking, got mosquito bites, marveled at the power of some very strong thunderstorms, and wouldn’t change any of it.
The troop had many individual and collective successes earning more than sixty-five merit badges along with many rank advancement requirements completed. The troop had the most participants in years complete the Mile Swim with AJ Frank, Jaden Frank, Dr. Rick Frank, Colin Mitchell, and Liam Sikora. Mason Weems won the “Largest Fish” competition. Owen Rizzo won the “Largest Frog” competition. AJ Frank won the “Largest Bug” competition. Ryan McCue won the “Fastest BMX Circuit” for age 13 and up.
The Troop also took 1st place in the highly competitive Water Carnival (photo above, Soren Tassmer with trophy) with 1st place in the OUTer relay, Scoutmaster paddleboard yoga, and Swimmers Relay,
with 2nd place in the cardboard boat race (photo above), and Alpha Ducks (a rubber duck collection and spelling race). Lastly, the Scoutmasters came through and held the highest scores for rifle and archery with scores of 45 and 49 respectively.
Aside from participating in regular scouting programs, the troop noticed a need for help in the kitchen following breakfast and dinner and arranged work parties to augment the short kitchen staff. This was a terrific eye-opening experience for many of the scouts.
Now with summer winding down, the troops, 44 (boys) and 44G (girls), are looking forward to our first meeting of the new school year which will be held on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at the First Congregational Church of Haddam fellowship hall (905 Saybrook Road) from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. All boys and girls age 11 to 17 are invited to come and see what the fun is all about. It doesn’t matter if the youth didn’t attend Cub Scouts or knows nothing about Scouting. All that matters is that they try scouting out. Both troops camp out once a month right in town.
For more information on troop 44 (Boys), feel free to reach out to Mark Pach at markcp571@gmail.com or for 44G (Girls), contact Kathy Brown at kjbrown92@aol.com.
Come join the fun!
For information regarding Cub Scouts, Haddam’s Pack 40, for youth 6-10 years of age contact Kate Rizzo at 203-868-5536.
Photos by Kirt Tassmer and Lisa Lawrence
