By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
Tucker County High School teacher Chris Wilson appeared before the Tucker County Commission July 8th to request funding for a new Cub Scout Troop. Wilson said he was appearing with no affiliation with the school, but rather as a Scout Master, in the hopes of bringing a Cub Scout Troop to Tucker County.
“I’m starting off a Cub Scout Troop. It is going to be headquarted up in Canaan Valley,” Wilson said. “It will serve youth throughout the County.”
Wilson said there hasn’t been an active troop in Tucker County for at least a decade. He said the goal was to start up a troop that once started will have enough fundraising efforts to be self sustaining in the future.
“But for now we just need some money to get off the ground,” Wilson said.
Wilson said there is a cost for equipment that would be owned collectively by the troop, rather than the individual scout members such as; tents, ropes, backpacks, etc.
“I wouldn’t necessarily be asking new members to be buying that stuff if they aren’t long-term members, it wouldn’t be fair,” Wilson said.
Wilson said the goal of the Troop is to help the children to learn hands on skills, build community and friendships outside their existing circles.
Wilson said that the Troop has solicited funds from the Tucker Community Foundation and Mountain Trials in Davis has donated equipment.
The Commission approved $500 of the Troop’s $1,111 request with the caveat that after the Troop receives word from the other agencies that Wilson has solicited funds from, if the Troop still needs funding, he can come back to the Commission for a further request.
“I think that Scouts is a wonderful things,” Tucker County Commission President Mike Rosenau said. “Just the history of it in our County. I’m glad you’re starting it up.”
The Troop’s first meeting is September 3h. Wilson said that seven Scouts have already signed up and the there is room for 12 in the Troop. Yearly registration is $85, but scholarships are available if needed. Membership is open to boys and girls.
For more information on the Cub Scout Troop or to donate contact Chris Wilson at [email protected].
