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Ravens... Nevermore
A
scouting legacy
As Scoutmaster of Troop 529, in the great Fireball District of South Florida
Council, I take much pride in sharing this story. I thought it important to
tell, because it is a story of what Scouting is all about.
Saturday night, May 13th, at our spring Court of Honor, the Raven Patrol
retired their patrol. Troop 529 will never again have a patrol named the
Ravens. They leave with four straight District Camporee championships. This
last one gave the troop its tenth championship, dating back to 1972.
This was a great feat. It is only a small part of the story. Five of six boys
in the Raven Patrol have earned the rank of Eagle. The sixth is currently
waiting for his Board of Review. I have no doubt he, too, will pass this
final challenge. There is a seventh boy from the troop, but always a member
of the mighty Dragon Patrol, also attained Eagle. Of the nine boys who joined
Troop 529 from 1993-1995, seven obtained their Eagle Badge. Only two boys
dropped from the program. The leaders of the troop are very proud of this
feat.
So how were seven boys so successful? Because of a well-rounded program,
committed adult leadership, caring families and a deep friendship developed
within the hearts of the seven young men. We watched as they grew from boys
to men.
They started their scouting careers like all scouts do, taking their lumps
from the older boys. They persevered. They learned their scouting skills
well. When they were young, there were intense practices in preparation for
our district Camporee. The boys grew and became good leaders as younger boys
entered the troop.
Every November, there was tree lot, our troop fund-raiser. In service to the
troop each boy is required to help set up the tree lot. This takes three,
eight hour, weekend days of hard work. Then, they are required to work forty
hours while the tree lot is open for five to six weeks. Duties include
hanging trees, keeping them watered, selling them and preparing them for pick
up or delivery. Upon closing the lot, the boys are required to put in two
more full weekend days. This shows their commitment. When others their age
are out with friends, the boys of troop 529 get busy.
For years the tree lot funded our troop sufficiently. Early on, while the
tree lot flourished, our boys were able to take summer trips to places like
Seattle, a tour of the southeastern United States, and a cruise from
Vancouver to Alaska. Several of the boys took treks at Philmont. Things
change. Our charter organization closed and we were forced to move. In our
new location the profit level from our only fund-raiser dropped dramatically.
A scout is thrifty. Instead of letting the lack of funds defeat them, the
boys adapted to a more local program. And they kept the fun level high.
While attaining the rank of Eagle, seven young men learned to be great
leaders. By following the scout Oath and Law, they became honorable
gentlemen. By understanding the scout Motto, they became winners. Our troop
song says it all.
I likes
us... Nobody likes us...
We are the gang from 529
Always a winnin'... always a grinnin'
Always a doin' fine... rah... rah... rah
You see, nobody likes us. I think they envy us. My boys won four straight
District Championships because we came "Prepared." We won our first
by taking everyone by surprise. The boys were only 13 and 14 years old.
Nobody took them seriously. The second came too easily, as both the Raven and
Dragon Patrols took first, second or third in the patrol competitions. Our
gateway and campsite were awesome. The third championship was their most
interesting. Amid charges of cheating, which were probably spawned by envy,
the boys again took the trophy. With another ample margin of victory, the
troop didn't even need the points in question. The whole incident was truly a
lack of communication and a big misunderstanding. Over-zealousness on our
part blew the issue out of proportion. Only that, are we sorry for. Something
special came from this win that showed the boys great leadership. The Cobra
Patrol took second place in Map Symbols in the whole district. They had only
crossed over! three months before.
The fourth straight was the most challenging. For our leaders it was the most
rewarding. Kudos to you 49er's, who came this year prepared to beat us. You
would have if you crossed all your t's and dotted all your i's. We won by 1/2
a point. The most amazing thing is that those seven young men took a whole
district and raised its level of expertise. The two judges who were in charge
of campsite and gateway inspections even commented on the overall improvement
from just the year before. The winners of the patrol competitions came from
different troops, not the same old ones.
Jonathan Hartwell, our first Eagle (he didn't procrastinate). His dedication
earned him Troop 529's Scout of the Year for 2001. He could have disappeared
like many young men, but he set out on a task to ready the troop for the
fourth win in a row, and did it.
Danny Davis, the SPL for our first two championships and a Junior Assistant
Scoutmaster for the second two. He showed the signs of a great leader by
coaching his young replacement to the next two wins.
Mike Ritch, Javier Ameijeiras and Danny Amaro, were too old to compete this
year. All three gave up free time to work with the younger scouts, to improve
their skills. Mike and Javy were able to schedule themselves and be there for
the Camporee.
Aaron Tecosky, my son, who saw my turmoil as scoutmaster. After the third
championship, many in my troop, including Aaron, felt I was wronged. I just
got over it easier than them. He didn't really want to compete. A scout is
loyal. His buds needed him and he was there for them.
David Rodriguez, hasn't completed his Eagle, but will shortly. He certainly
is deserving of it. He was our "spirit stick." He led the troop
when it got tough.
To all of the magnificent seven, I wish you well. Troop 529 will continue to
thrive as we accepted 16 new crossover scouts. These new boys, inspired by
the Raven Patrol, started a time capsule that the Eagles will bury at the
local Boy Scout campground, Camp Seminole. In the future, I am sure all of
you will not become strangers when your new journeys take you away from us.
This is a great program, isn't it?
Marc R. Tecosky
Scoutmaster, Troop 529
Miami Lakes, Florida
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