Boy Scout Troop 62 marks 50th anniversary

February 05, 2006|By ALICIA NOTARIANNI

CHEWSVILLE -

Glen Davis dangled a wiggling rubber snake in the air.

"This is the very snake I put in Neil Herchenrother's sleeping bag ... in the summer of 1967," Davis recalled. "He got out of there very fast."

The young Boy Scouts of Troop 62 had been at Camp Sinoquipe near Mercersburg, Pa.

Davis, 53, who grew up in Hagerstown and now lives in Fredericksburg, Va., joined past and present Scouts, area dignitaries and community members on Saturday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Boy Scout Troop 62 at the Chewsville Community Center.

Rob Storer, 57, of Hagerstown, whose son, Josiah Storer, is part of the 42-member troop, coordinated the event. Features included a silent auction with new and antique scouting gear; a slide show depicting troop activities throughout the decades; a "then-and-now" camping exhibit comparing a 1950s campsite - complete with a 48-star U.S. flag - with a modern-day site; and displays of Troop 62 memorabilia, including pictures, badges, patches and equipment.

Adam Dieterich, 62, one of the six original members of the troop, attended the celebration. Dieterich was raised in Chewsville and now lives in Clear Spring.

"Our Scoutmaster always had fun stuff to keep us occupied," Dieterich said.

Assistant Scoutmaster Rodney Purdham, 59, of Chewsville, sought out the early members and made an announcement introducing them to the crowd.

"They were members back when this was a fledgling troop. Not the monster that it is today," Purdham said.

Purdham noted that over the course of 50 years, Troop 62 has had only six Scoutmasters. One leader, Bob Harden, stayed with the group from 1958 to 1991.

Josiah Storer, 17, an Eagle Scout who compiled a two-volume history of Troop 62, said he believes it is such dedicated leadership that has kept the group strong.

"Our Scoutmasters help us to get motivated and stick with it," he said.

Ed Marfut, 46, of Hagerstown, has been Troop 62 Scoutmaster for about a year and a half. Marfut said the program gives young men opportunities to participate in unusual and high adventure activities that engage them. Last year, some members of the troop went on a sailing adventure in Florida. This summer, Marfut said they are planning a 10-day hiking trip in New Mexico.

Sen. Donald F. Munson presented Troop 62 with a resolution from the Maryland State Senate.

"The Boy Scout movement has had a great impact in Washington County," Munson said. "It's about education, and learning ethics and maturity. This impacts the quality of life and the future of these kids."

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