By TESA STRASSER

The Press-News

Boy Scouts of America is a national icon that has been providing meaningful activities and making boyhood memories for millions of young men since 1910. This year it is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

This year's motto, "100 years of Scouting! Celebrating the adventure. Continuing the journey," is proudly displayed on the BSA web site along with a countdown to the 2010 National Jamboree, which will be held July 26 through Aug. 4 at Ft. A.P. Hill, Virginia. Scouts and leaders will celebrate with activities such as rappelling, discovering scuba, kayaking, rafting, sailing, trap shooting, archery, bikeathlons, buckskin games, confidence courses and conservation trail.

In the area, Boy Scout Troop 203 meets on Monday evenings at Peace Lutheran Church on Cleveland Avenue South. The members of this troop are Dimitri Kress, Ty McKinney, Kent Ring, C.J. Heim, Nathan Lee, Daniel Durst, Tony Balsley, Adam Criswell, Gary Otremsky and Tim Neff.

Leaders of this troop, including Scouts that have reached their 18th birthday, are Rick Wessels, Bill Kress, John Ring, John Cross, Travis Secrest and Dustin House.

When asked their favorite part of scouting, the answer was without a doubt, "Camping" The opportunity to hang out with guys and tackle new tasks with friends was especially alluring to the boys.

Each month an activity is planned. When it is not camping, it might be swimming or visiting the Wilderness Center to work on the astronomy merit badge.

Service is strongly emphasized in scouting. Among other things, this troop mans the parking patrol and table set up at the annual Jr. Guild craft show and helps with Men's Club dinners and the live nativity scene at their host church each year. The boys also work with the AmVets to perform official flag retirement ceremonies.

Camping trips are held at Boy Scout Camps Tuscazoar or Seven Ranges and at Oak Hill Crossing on Briggle Avenue, where a shelter and renovated caboose are designated for their use.

Scout Master Rick Wessels has been asked by Buckeye Council, a six-county council of Scouts, to lead a trip to Philmont High Adventure Camp in Cimarron, New Mexico. Nine leaders and Scouts will travel to the training center in mid-June.
training center in mid-June. Eden Church Troop 250 Scout Ricky Duncan, East Sparta Scout Michael Hair and Committeeman Chris Domer will join six from troop 203 to make the trip.

Philmont Scout Ranch is the BSA's oldest national high-adventure base. It has 34 staffed camps and 55 trail camps. It is steeped in history having once been a famous stop on the Santa Fe Trail, a prospecting community, and a working cattle ranch.

This once-in -a-lifetime trip is going to cost $7,000. Watch for information on Scout days at some of your favorite restaurants including Dairy Queen, Applebee's, Fazoli's, and Grinder's. On set days, the troop will receive a percentage of your bill a when a scout coupon is presented. See a scout or leader to get these coupons. The Applebees donation day is Wednesday, Feb. 10, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Watch for details on such days at other establishments.

Peace Lutheran Church, the host church for this troop, is generously donating 20 percent of the profit from their annual six Friday evenings of fish dinners held during lent. There will be a Scotch doubles bowling night on March 13 with proceeds designated for the Philmont trip.

Individuals and businesses are welcome to make donations to this cause. Checks made out to Troop 203/Philmont contingent can be sent in care of Rick Wessels, 1625 53rd St. S. W. Canton, 44706.

Other Boy Scout Troops in the area are;

* troop #36 meets at Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church,

* troop #38 meets at East Sparta United Methodist Church,

* troop #250 meets at Eden Church on Richville Drive and

* troop #157 meets at the Magnolia Lion's Club.

According to its web site, the goal of The Boy Scouts of America is to "provide a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness." For more information, go to www.scouting. org