 | | | Photo provided | | | | | | In mid-September, the Scouts and parents of Troop 224 gathered for their fall Court of Honor, the traditional ceremony where Scouts are honored for achieving rank advancements/merit badges. The occasion is a time of celebration, and on this occasion a very special acknowledgment was made.
Earlier this year, Troop 224, based in Lafayette, was one of the first troops in the nation to welcome girls into joining the newly rebranded organization known as Scouts BSA. Although girls officially have their own troop, scoutmaster and leaders, they are, in essence, two linked troops (T224B and T224G) that share a common leadership structure and elect to share the hosting of the quarterly Court of Honor.
They have shared many adventures together, including camping at three national parks in Arizona, ski trips to Tahoe, backpacking, and summer camp on Catalina Island. For camping outings, the girls camp separately from the boys and have their own adult leaders present. They later join T224B for the day's activities. Each troop may also select activities that are done separately, but activities for the upcoming year are determined by all the Scouts. One of the most important aspects of scouting is the opportunity for leadership training and experience. Troop 224 prides itself on the youth-led focus of its troops.
During the Court of Honor ceremony, Anthony Mirabito, Senior Patrol Leader of T224B, gave a special acknowledgement to the girls of T224G for their efforts in achieving rank advancements and merit badges and how they have embraced scouting. As a tribute to the girls' accomplishments and amazing efforts, he presented a framed article to Kyra Ariker, Senior Patrol Leader of T224G, that had been published in the San Francisco Chronicle. "The Girls' Troop is doing so well, and it's really impressive. They have hit the ground running, and the whole Troop is really proud of them," said Mirabito.
Troop 224 was established in 1953 and meets at the Hut located behind Happy Valley Elementary's Gymnasium. There is an Open House planned from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Scout Hut. Pizza, games, cobbler!
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA