By Stephen Appezzato
FAIR HAVEN – To mark the 100-year milestone of Fair Haven Scouting, the Borough of Fair Haven passed a proclamation at its Dec. 19 meeting, declaring Dec. 6, 2022, Fair Haven’s 100th Scouting Anniversary Day.
As the Scouting movement rapidly grew in popularity around the world in the early part of the 20th century, the borough’s first Scout troop was organized in 1922 by Dr. E.F. Stewart and Alfred Marcellus under the greater Boy Scouts of America (BSA) organization. BSA was incorporated in 1910 with the mission “to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law,” according to the organization’s website.
The inception of global Scouting can be traced back to 1908, when Lord Robert Baden-Powell, a lieutenant-general in the British military, published his instructional book “Scouting for Boys,” which detailed games, drills and techniques that he used to train his cavalry troops throughout his service in the Second Boer War. Baden-Powell’s book quickly gained popularity among British adolescents, leading to the organization of youths who were interested in practicing the techniques he promoted. Baden-Powell is credited with being the first Chief Scout and founder of the global Scout movement.
In Fair Haven, Scouts have been honoring the mission of BSA since Dec. 6, 1922, through troop activities, trips and community service. Over the years, local Scout troops have dedicated countless hours assisting with town projects and charitable organizations such as the popular “Be A Good Neighbor” snow removal for seniors program, and the Toys for Tots toy drive. Activities like these instill the spirit of volunteerism and benevolence in young Scouts.
“It’s great to see that there is a continuity and tradition of Scouting in town which allows us to teach kids leadership and life skills through all the activities that we do,” explained Christopher Rodriguez, Fair Haven Council president and the Scoutmaster of Fair Haven Troop 125. An Eagle Scout, Rodriguez became the leader of Troop 125 following the resurgence in Fair Haven Scouting after COVID-19 restrictions eased. Prior, he served as a den leader for Fair Haven’s Cub Scouts, the division of Scouts typically for those below fifth grade.
“We want to give an opportunity to both boys and girls to learn life skills through the outdoor method, and use all the Scout values and tools to give them an outlet other than school and sports to learn things,” he added.
In light of its centennial milestone, Fair Haven Scouting reaffirms its commitment to guiding young Scouts and hopes to continue serving its community for generations to come.
The article originally appeared in the December 22 – 28, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
