Westborough – The Boy Scout motto is “Be Prepared,” and the Westborough Scouts have prepared an outstanding year of fun events as well as important service projects.
Unlike many clubs or sport programs, scouting offers a year round program. There is a saying that “Three-quarters of Scouting is Outing” and monthly trips are one of the main attractions of scouting. This year, Westborough troops will be camping throughout New England: climbing Mt. Greylock; bicycling on Cape Cod; winter camping in the White Mountains of New Hampshire; deep sea fishing off the New England coast; whitewater rafting on the Deerfield River; and exploring Purgatory Chasm in Whitinsville. Next summer about 25 Westborough Scouts and five adult leaders will attend the National Jamboree being held at the newest Boy Scout high adventure base in West Virginia. The Jamboree typically draws 30,000 to 40,000 attendees from all over the U.S. and many foreign countries.
While camping and outdoor activities are the main features of Boy Scouts, Scouts also try to live their part of the oath which states, “To help other people at all times” through a variety of community projects. Scouts regularly participate in conservation projects, provide services to their chartering organizations, help with microphone duties at Town Meetings and of course contribute to the community through many Eagle projects.
A major event is the annual Scouting for Food Drive held every November and is one of the largest good deeds the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts perform. This food drive is done in conjunction with Scout troops throughout the U.S. and is coordinated through the local council. Westborough is part of the Knox Trail Council, which serves 21 towns in the Metrowest area. The council's goal this year is to collect over 100 tons of food for local food pantries. If that goal is reached then the Scouts will have collected over 4,000,000 pounds of food for local pantries in the 25 year history of this event.
Westborough has always been a “Scouting Town.” In addition to the Boy Scout troops it hosts an award winning Explorer Post, a co-ed High Adventure Crew and two Cub Scout Packs. It has one of the highest youth participation rates in the 21 council towns and is one of the most generous in supporting scouting.
Over the years, the town has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to support Boy Scouting through the annual Good Scout Dinner. The dinner is an opportunity to recognize a member of the community who has demonstrated the values and character traits promoted by scouting. This year's Good Scout Dinner Nov. 7 will honor Ryan Maloney, the owner of Julio's Liquors, who has generously supported youth and family programs in our area. To attend this dinner to honor Maloney or to support scouting through a donation, go to www.ktc-bsa.org/goodscout.htm for more information.
