Derby's Troop 3 marks 100th anniversary in Goshen

Troop 3 alumnus and Eagle Scout Adam Rak, with daughters Jane and Lydia, traveled from California to participate in Troop 3’s 100th anniversary family camping weekend at Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation in Goshen./ Contributed photo

DERBY – More than 100 people from Boy Scout Troop 3, Derby’s past and present participated in a camping weekend at Housatonic Council’s Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation in Goshen, to celebrate the Troop’s 100th anniversary.

Former members attended with their families from as far away as California, New York and Massachusetts.

Activities included fishing, boating, rifle shooting, archery, Wiffle ball, crafts, dutch oven cooking, campfires and hiking the camp’s 186 acres of fields and forest.  Movies from the Troop’s early years, as well as recent Scout Gang Shows and scrapbooks assisted the “old timers” in sharing Scouting stories with current Scouts.

The weekend also included a tree planting at the camp, named for late Scouting Pioneer and Troop 3 leader, Edmund D. Strang. 

The Scouts have planted 60 trees in Derby, Ansonia, Shelton and Goshen with a goal of 100 in celebration of their centennial year.  

The event was under the direction of the Troop 3 committee of leaders, parents and alumni. 

Meals were prepared in the Frank Gates Dining Hall by Assistant Scoutmasters Charles Hemstreet Sr, Chris Cafaro and others. Memorabilia from the 100th anniversary was available for sale to alumni and presented as gifts to current Troop 3 Ascouts who participated, on behalf of the Derby Second  Congregational Church. 

Founded in 1914, just four years after Scouting was organized in America, and still sponsored by the Derby Second Congregational Church, the Troop is celebrating with special events throughout the year.  

On  Sept. 27 a time capsule burial will take place on the Derby Green in conjunction with the troop’s annual Ed Strang Day, a free event to introduce Scouting to the community. 

Also coming up are an Alumni Minstrel and Scout Gang Show Oct. 25 and a celebratory banquet at The Inn at Villa Bianca in Seymour Oct. 26.

All former Troop 3 Scouts and their families are invited to participate. Contact Scoutmaster Randy Ritter, 203-732-0343 for more information.

This is a press release from Scoutmaster Randy Ritter. 

 

Housatonic Council to recognize Bassett family's generosity

Dedication of W.E. Bassett Shower House slated at Boy Scout camp

The Housatonic Council, Boy Scouts of America, will recognize the generous contribution of the William E. Bassett Family at the dedication of the W.E. Bassett Shower House at 11 a.m. June 9 at Camp Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation, 278 West Side Road, Goshen. Luncheon will be served.

The current shower house was constructed in 1962 with a donation from the Bassett family. The shower house was built to Boy Scout standards at the time, a time when “gang showers” were the norm and the Scouting program stressed “roughing it.” The shower house has served Scouting well for 50 years.

In keeping with changing society expectations, the new shower house features eight showers with private stalls, two lavatories, and one handicapped-accessible restroom offering a shower and a lavatory. In addition, a new septic system complies with local health codes and exemplifies environmentally responsible construction. The privacy afforded by the new shower house makes the camp appeal strongly to co-ed groups, including schools and church groups.

Owned and operated by the Housatonic Council, and located in the foothills of Litchfield County, Strang Scout Reservation's 187 acres of forest, fields, and streams provide an excellent backdrop to an exciting program. The Camp, now in its 51st season, has been a training ground for many Scouts who later grew to be leaders in the community. The Camp serves hundreds of boys and young adults from the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 

William Bassett is chairman of the board of W.E. Bassett Co., a family-owned business, founded in 1939 in Derby.  An active business and community leader, Bassett is chairman of the board of Birmingham Group Health Services, a founding member of the Valley Community Foundation, board member of Latex International of Shelton, a founding member of MAC Casualty as well as a founding member and past chairman of the Manufacturing Alliance of Connecticut.

“Bill Bassett is an outstanding leader not only in the Lower Naugatuck Valley, but also throughout the State of Connecticut,” said Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti, Chair of the Building Committee.  Other committee members included Dr. Gregory Egnaczyk, Royal Wells, and William McDonnell.  

The total cost of the project was $300,000.  Along with a significant contribution from the Bassett family, the Housatonic Council received major funding from the Katharine Matthies Foundation, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Bruce N. Griffing Trust, and numerous friends of the Housatonic Council.  The Council is grateful to the Fletcher Thompson Architecture and Engineering Firm, headquartered in Shelton, for their donation of the architectural design and engineering documents of the shower house.

The Primrose Construction Co. of Bridgeport was the general contractor.  President and CEO John N. Guedes was instrumental in getting the project completed and within budget.

Organized in 1920, the Housatonic Council serves the communities of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton.

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is 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.
For information, contact: Kevin Bishop, Scout Executive, 203-734-3329 ext 304, kevin.bishop@scouting.org.

The above release was contributed by Shelton resident Bob Hilliard, representing the 
Housatonic Council, BSA.