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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Becky Wall, Great Trail Council board member and CFO of Youngstown’s Dearing Compressor and Pump, served as keynote speaker at Canfield Scouts BSA Troop 8115 Founders Sign-Up Night on Feb. 4. .
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.A Lord Baden Powell reenactor spoke to new troop members at Canfield Scouts BSA Troop 8115 Founders Sign-Up Night on Feb. 4. Powell was the man who founded the Scout movement more than 100 years ago.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Members of Canfield Scouts BSA Troop 8115 attended a Founders Sign-Up Night celebration for its all-girl members and their leaders in the Family Life Center of St. Michael’s Church on Feb. 4. .Pictured are Delaney Pallo, Gabi Calderon, Emily Mashqbeh, Hannah Kelly, Kate Kadilak, Paige Christoff, Abigail Natasi, Liv Weber.Frankie Di Tomasso, Sydney McClean, Charlie Masters, Sophie Kadilak and Scoutmaster Steph Kelly.
By ABBY SLANKER
Canfield Scouts BSA Troop 8115 hosted a Founders Sign-Up Night celebration for its all-girl members and their leaders in the Family Life Center of St. Michael’s Church on Feb. 4. Troop 8115 is one of the Mahoning Valley’s only all-girl troops joining Scouts BSA fun, adventure and youth leadership program.
Troop 8115 has 12 new members from Canfield and Poland and is open to members from all towns in the Mahoning Valley. Steph Kelly will serve as Scoutmaster.
Canfield Scouts BSA Troop 8115 Founders Sign-Up Night marked the official beginning of the troop as it welcomed girls who are excited to start their scouting adventure and lead their lives following The Scout Oath and Law. Troop 8115 will be one of three all-girl Troops in the Mahoning Valley, joining thousands of others across the country.
“Boy Scout Troops across the country will now be called Scouts BSA Troops, Scouts BSA Troops will now be either all-boy troops or all-girl member troops and for the first time in over 100 years, Canfield Scouts BSA Troop 8115, right here in Canfield, is one of the first all-girl troops in the nation,” Kelly said.
Canfield Scouts BSA Troop 8115 Founders Sign-Up Night began with an opening ceremony, followed by a Benediction by Maureen Hall. The troop and their families were welcomed with the Scout Investiture, followed by the introduction of new scouts and introduction of scout patrols.
Next, Kelly introduced a special guest, a Lord Baden Powell reenactor. Powell was the man who founded the Scout movement more than 100 years ago.
Kelly then introduced the troop adults.
“We have several adults who are here to help our troop members. This program would not be possible without adult association. The Key Three Leaders are charter organization rep Dr. Jack Le Brun, who is a champion of our program, committee chair Pat Kelly and me as Scoutmaster. Our committee consists of advancement chair Cassie Calderon, recording secretary Stef Williams and at large members Janina Gaisor and Cindy Christoff. Our Scoutmaster Corps, which will help with camping experiences and outings, includes Anthony Di Tommasi, Dave Michaelc and Craig Williams. Thank you for all your supervision. You make a world of difference,” Kelly said.
Kelly moved on to introduce keynote speaker Becky Wall, Great Trail Council board member and CFO of Youngstown’s Dearing Compressor and Pump.
“How lucky am I to be here tonight? You are bold young women who are passionate leaders. You are blazing a trail. The wait is over, there are good things on the horizon,” Wall said.
Wall encouraged the troop members to seek greatness and see greatness in others.
“I encourage you to seek greatness. But what I really want you to do is look for greatness in other people. That is truly where success is. You will test yourself beyond your wildest dreams. You will spend your time with people who truly and genuinely support you,” Wall said.
Wall told the members their day has arrived.
“I want you to reach. And I want you to keep stretching and keep that spark out in front of you. Go find your voice. Your day has arrived and opportunity is laying at your feet. It has been my honor to share this night with you. I am energized to share my ideas with you. I can’t wait to hear your stories, so keep in touch,” Wall said.
Kelly made her final remarks and closed the program with inviting troop members and their families to enjoy cake as a celebration of the evening.
Scouts BSA Troop 8115 is a year-round program for girls in fifth grade through high school that provides fun, adventure, learning, challenge and responsibility to help them become the best version of themselves.
“We are a year-round organization and anyone can join at anytime. Troop members can take their own path. There is no defined timeline for members, except for the Eagle Scout rank. There is a natural end to that rank at age 18 and our members will set their own goals to achieve that rank,” Kelly said.
Scouts BSA Troop 8115 will continue to welcome girls age 11 and up throughout the year. Girls and their families are welcome to attend any meeting. Troop 8115 will be meeting every Monday at 7 p.m. at the Family Life Center at St. Michael Parish.
Kelly said members of Scouts BSA Troop 8115 will be held to the same criteria and rules as the Boy Scouts have been since 1910.
“Our program is the exact same as the Boy Scouts program established in 1910. There are no different rules or criteria for the girls. Girls can do it,” Kelly said.
According to Kelly, the troop is ready to roll.
“By April, the adult leaders will have led the all-girl troop members through an initial Leadership Training, and will be supporting and guiding the girls to plan their annual calendar and pick their own monthly adventure in camping, hiking, travel, canoeing and more,” Kelly said.
Parents or guardians of any girl age 11-17 interested in learning more about the Scouts BSA Troop 8115 all-girl program may reach out to Scoutmaster Kelly at canfieldscouts@gmail.com or 330.550.0584. Sign up to join a meeting or receive more information at http://bit.ly/ScoutMeIn8115.