Hello!  I would like to introduce myself.  My name is Chris Westphal, and I became Scoutmaster of Troop 21 in June 2002.  Although new to the post, the experience has been great to date.  It is my hope to build on our successes and forge a greater bond with our charter organization since 1924, the Suffern Presbyterian Church.  We have continued with traditional Boy Scout of America activities, such as camping, hiking, and community activities.

 

            We currently have a roster of 20 boys and will grow again in February 2003 with the incoming Webelos Cub Scouts.  The year 2002 saw three scouts attain the rank of Eagle, scoutings highest honor.  I believe that we now have five boys in the program that will attain the rank of Eagle in the next one to two years.

 

            This fall I met with Pastor Allen and charted a new direction in our volunteer work for the church.  The troop has reclaimed responsibility for the west playground.  We will provide new swings and maintain the yard.  This past fall we weeded and trimmed the yard and spread out a trailer-load of woodchips.  Plans are underway to paint a portion of the basement where we generally meet.

 

            It is my belief in modern times that Scouting continues to provide the best environment for boys to be among their peers and mature into fine adults.  Although there are many demands on parents with many households having both parents working, we are able to draw committed volunteers into leadership positions within the troop.  A new trend seems to be volunteers picking and choosing the events with which they can help.  The general effect is an ongoing shortage of qualified adults to man all positions within the troop.  We are fortunate to have three or four committed adults who continue to provide the leadership and role models needed to keep the troop going.

 

            In this context please be assured that I take our commitment to provide volunteer labor to the church seriously.  However, this work must be done as time and help is available.  Please feel free to contact me at 357-2086.  I look forward to working in partnership with the church in the coming year.