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.
