Boy Scout Sunday 2011

Photos by Jane Winstead

Scouting at St. Raphael Catholic Church was started 45 years ago and is still going strong. Boy Scout Troop 219 and Cub Scout Pack 219 server dozens of boys with numerous activities, including camping, community service and character development.

Boy Scout Troop 219
There are now 36 scouts in the boy scout troop. A dozen adults volunteer and leaders and committee members. Scouts elect a senior patrol leader and patrol leaders from among themselves, giving the boys experience in peer group leadership.

The boys advance through seven ranks from Scout to Eagle, earning merit badges for achieving proficiency in various skills in sports, crafts, science, trades, business and future careers. There are more than 120 merit badges from which to choose. A boy will have earned at least 21 merit badges and completed a community project by the time he reaches the rank of Eagle Scout.

Last year, five scouts in Troop 219 became Eagle Scouts. Over the 45 years since the troop was chartered, 62 young men have become Eagle Scouts.

The troop camps once a month for a weekend and takes seven- to 10-day trips twice a year.

The troop sells Christmas trees every year as a fundraiser. The troop appreciates the support of parishioners whose donations help fund the scouts' camping activities.

The troop meets Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. Boys 10-17 are invited to join the group. Please call Scoutmaster Michael McBride at (727) 525-0187, if you have questions or would like to volunteer.

Cub Scout Pack 219
The cub pack now has 37 scouts and nine leaders. Everything in Cub Scouting is designed to have the boys doing things. The boys are organized into dens according to age.

The pack has nine Tiger scouts (1st grade), nine Wolf scouts (2nd grade), eight Bear scouts (3rd grade), five Weblo I scouts (4th grade) and six Weblo II scouts (5th grade).

Cubs come from St. Raphael Catholic School, Shorecrest Preparatory School, Shore Acres Elementary and Home School.

Cub Scouts earn achievements and awards, camp out a couple times a year with their families, have a pinewood derby, sailboat regatta, biathlon races and much more.

The pack also has an annual Popcorn sale as a fundraiser. Community projects include placing food collection bags to collect food for the needy.

"Busy scouts are happy scouts," says Cubmaster Bill Condon. "The Cub Scout Motto is "Do Your Best" and our scouts work hard to live up to this motto."

The pack appreciates the support of St. Raphael Catholic Church and its parishioners.

Please call Cubmaster Bill Condon at (727) 480-5658 or Assistant Cubmaster Mike Smith at (727) 420-6327 if you have questions or would like to volunteer.