Inside the Jungfrau summit Left to right: Assistant Scoutmaster Mike Glaiel, Cody Glaiel, T.J. Young and Connor Driscoll (Photo submitted)
Pride Rock in the Swiss Alps Left to Right: Assistant Scoutmaster Don Mercure, Matt Mercure, Brian Mitchell, Jimmy Smith, David Smith, Chris Roy, Scoutmaster Joe Mitchell (Photo submitted)
Troop 821 and family members on top of The Eiger in the Swiss Alps (Photo submitted)
Troop 821 in front of the Kandersteg Lodge, Switzerland, July 2011 (Photo submitted)
Climbing the Alps to reach the glacier in the background. Left to right: Scoutmaster Joe Mitchell, Brian Mitchell, Assistant Scoutmaster Ron Cole, Mike Brochetti, Jake Chlastawa and Cody Glaiel (Photo submitted)
Members of Troop 821 pause for a photograph during their hike through the Swiss Alps. Left to Right: Connor Driscoll, Jake Chlastawa, Assistant Scoutmaster Don Mercure, Matt Mercure, Robert Bernardara, Jim Chlastawa, Matt Walsh, T.J. Young, Chris Roy, Mike Brochetti and Cody Glaiel (Photo submitted)
Boy Scout Troop 821, out of the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Westfield, is not your average Boy Scout Troop. They are well above average. . . in size at least. They boast of being the largest Boy Scout Troop in Western Massachusetts. Their ranks are swelling with 56 boys ranging in age from 11 to 18 years old. And why not? Boys and young men are attracted to this very active troop with huge accomplishments and even bigger dreams.
This past summer, after over 2 years of preparation and fundraising, 23 boys and 14 adults from the troop ventured across the Atlantic Ocean to spend 2 weeks at the International Scout Center located in Kandersteg Switzerland. The scouts and adults challenged themselves with hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, zip lining, swimming and exploring. “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Scoutmaster Joe Mitchell. “When are you ever going to get the chance to climb on a glacier?”
In addition to the rigorous outdoor activities, the scouts had the opportunity to experience the cultures of other scouts from around the globe while acting as good will ambassadors for the United States. Matt Mercure, 16, especially enjoyed the international viewpoint of the trip. “It was a very interesting experience to see the different aspects of scouting from around the world and to meet a variety of new people.” Said Mercure. Scouts, both boys and girls, visiting the Kandersteg Scout Center hailed from places like Brazil, Spain, Scotland, England, Portugal and Ireland.Fellowship and promoting good will are two of the basic tenets of scouting. “Scouting is about fun with a purpose,” says Mitchell. “The boys don’t realize they are learning important life skills while they are out on adventures like camping and hiking.” The boys are having fun, and the word is spreading.“The troop has seen explosive growth in the last 2 years,” said Tom Walsh, Troop 821 Committee Chairman. “We are actually experiencing what you might call growing pains.” Equipping a group of boys this size for outdoor adventure can be a challenge. The troop is saving up for a covered trailer to transport the equipment for such an enormous group to camping trips, jamborees and other outdoor activities.The youth leader of this small army is Jonathan Huntley, age 13, one of the youngest Senior Patrol Leaders in recent memory. Jonathan and the scouts of Troop 821 are hosting their annual Breakfast with Santa this Saturday from 8:00 to 11:30 at the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish Center. “It is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” says Huntley. “The little kids seem to have a really good time with Santa, his elves and all the scouts. We’ll have food, pictures with Santa and lots of fun!” All are welcome to attend this fun holiday event and tickets will be sold at the door.
