Medway Boy Scout Troop 367 faced a cancelled summer camp at Camp Squanto this year, so Troop Leaders created a bonding experience with the help of local venues, like Idylbrook Park in Medway.

Medway Boy Scout Troop 367 might not have gotten to enjoy Camp Squanto Boy Scouts Reservation this year thanks to Covid-19, but Troop leaders got creative, adding some outdoor fun and skill-building for Scouts after an otherwise pared-down summer season. In mid-August, Medway Boy Scouts donned their masks, minded their social distance and enjoyed a series of activities, including biking, canoeing, camping, and learning emergency preparedness from a member of the Medway Police Department. 

“We’ve created a series of events this week to replicate what they’d find at Camp Squanto,” said Fred Hopke, in mid-August, who worked with troop leaders Greg Green, Dave Bennett and Walter Greene in putting the events together, at local venues. Many of the activities were part of earning particular achievements, but the socialization was the real goal, said leaders.

 Medway Police Officer Anthony Nigro helped the Troop work on its emergency preparedness. 

In fact, the event included some shooting and a campout at Millis’ Fin, Fur & Feather Club, after which the boys, from 6th grade to age 18, broke camp and Scouts headed by canoe to Rocky Narrows, in Sherborn. After the canoe trip, Troop 367 headed to the Milford Bike Trail for a 10-mile ride, after which they built and shot their own rockets at Idylbrook Park in Medway, followed by working on emergency preparedness with Medway Police’s Officer Nigro, himself an Eagle Scout. Hiking and swimming at Hale Reservation was the boys’ next step, followed by a couple nights at Nobscot Scout Reservation.

“The older boys teaching the younger ones is really the secret sauce of the troop,” said Troop 367 Scoutmaster David Bennett. The week gave the boys, in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, “the chance to come and hang out, the social emotional learning educators say the kids’ need,” said Bennett.

The four adults put the plan together for the Scouts in mid-July. Bennett explains that just as the younger Scouts learn from the older ones, some of the more experienced leaders, such as Walter Greene, were great resources for their counterparts new to leading a troop. The week included some changes to the Boy Scouts’ usual routine, including masks and social distancing, which extended to Scouts sleeping alone, rather than with a buddy, in their own tents. 

“We’ve been pretty successful keeping them apart and with masks and got them to socialize, being able to be with the other boys again,” said Bennett. On the trip, the Scouts themselves prepared all meals, with some challenges such as cooking one meal over the fire pit, and set up and broke down camp. Bennett explains that the troop is “boy-led down to a granular level. The boys believe they’re in charge – and they really are.” The main ingredient for each activity chosen – that it be fun, says Bennett.

Outside of pandemic times, Troop 367 meets every Monday at 7 p.m. at the Christ Episcopal Church, 14 School St., Medway, at 7 p.m. If you’re interested in joining, contact Greg Green, [email protected] or David Bennett at [email protected]. Find Troop 367 online at http://troop367.us, on Facebook at “Troop367 Medway, MA on Facebook” or @Troop367MedwayMa on Twitter.