Scouting at Westview

Scouting at Westview

ALL ABOUT TROOP 609

BY: TONY HIGHTOWER

For more than 100 years, scouting programs have instilled the Scout Oath and Scout Law values in the youth of America. Today, these values are just as relevant in helping young children grow to their full potential as in 1910. Scouting helps youth develop academic skills, self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills, and citizenship skills that influence their adult lives. For children with special needs and their families, these stated goals can often feel out of reach – the stress of “differences” from neuro-typical or otherwise ‘able’ youth activities can be overwhelming. Troop 609 at The Westview School aims to ensure that ALL youth can have the opportunity to achieve all of these goals.

The scouting program was introduced to Westview fourteen years ago with the founding of Cub Scout Pack 609. The Westview School founder, Jane Stewart, saw the value of the activities, skills, and peer socialization that the scouting program could bring to the Westview community.

Two years later, in 2010, Troop 609 was created to serve the needs of the boys in the Upper Elementary. Since that time, Troop 609 has been an active part of the Westview School community and the broader scouting community. From participating in the Westview Ice Cream Social, Trunk-or-Treat, and Family Fun Day to weekend campouts, service projects, winter camp, and summer camp, Troop 609 covers a vast spectrum of activities. Troop 609 meets at The Westview School on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month during the school year, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. At these meetings, camping and other activities are scheduled for the troop throughout the month.

CURRENT ACTIVE SCOUTS: 10

AGE RANGE: 11-21*

Age of eligibility is 11-18 however certain youth with special needs can apply for registration beyond the age of eligibility

TROOP 609 EAGLE SCOUTS:

Eagle Scout is the highest achievement orrank attainable in the Scouts BSA programof the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after alengthy review process. Of our 6 EagleScouts, 3 are former Westview students

SKILLS LEARNED:

First Aid, Camping, Cooking, Emergency Preparedness, PhysicalFitness, Personal Management, SocialSkills, Outdoor skills, and much more!

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Eagle Scout Projects (beneficiaries includeThe Westview School, The Houston Museum of Natural Science, ThePeriwinkle Foundation, Julian’s House Day Habilitation Center, and Katy ChristianMinistries Food Pantry), Wreaths Across America, BSA Scouting for Food

PLACES VISITED:

Houston area Council Camps (Winter Camp, Summer Camp, Weekend Camping), Texas State Parks (Goliad, Palmetto, Galveston, Brazos Bend), Out of State Summer Camps (Camp Pupukea, Oahu, Hawaii)