Troop 50 celebrates its 50th anniversary

— Photo by Don Hesler

Standing proud: Guilderland's Boy Scout Troop 50 celebrated its 50th anniversary with some notable fans: Congressman Paul Tonko, far left; Guilderland Councilwoman Patricia Slavik, next to him; Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy, far right; and Jean Cataldo, next to him.

GUILDERLAND — Troop 50 of the Boy Scouts of America celebrated our 50th year of scouting with a special dinner party on Saturday, June 21, at the parish center of our sponsor of 50 years, St. Madeleine Sophie Church.

Approximately 100 people attended the event. The evening included a buffet-style dinner generously provided by the On Tap Restaurant (Holiday Inn Express-Latham) and US Foods. The event was attended by Boy Scouts past and present, and their families, and included several local dignitaries who spoke at the event.

The speakers included Patricia Slavick, Guilderland town councilwoman; Daniel McCoy, Albany County executive), Father James Belogi, pastor of Saint Madeleine Sophie Church; and United States Congressman Paul Tonko.

The speakers highlighted the benefits of scouting and offered congratulations to the troop on its 50th anniversary.  Proclamations from Albany County and the United States Congress were presented to the troop.

Scouting provides many benefits for boys. Scouts participate in many outdoor activities throughout the year.  Along with these activities they develop outdoor and leadership skills, character, self- discipline, and self-confidence.

They learn to work together as a team and work for others in their community, but Boy Scouts also grow and mature as individuals. The life skills they acquire in scouting help boys grow into the men they will one day become.

Through the years, Troop 50 has served more than 500 boys.  The troop has always been a very active group of boys and leaders, with at least 10 outdoor events every year.  These include camping, hiking, skiing, and paddling trips in the Adirondack and Catskill mountains.

BSA Troop 50 is also very involved in our community. Every year on Scouting Sunday, we help with a special Mass at St. Madeleine Sophie Church. We have volunteered on several community projects in our area.

Annually, we sort food at the Northeastern New York Regional Food Bank.  We also gather non-perishable food and toiletry items for the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry, collecting an average of 3,000 items each year.

In addition, Troop 50 assists the Town of Guilderland with trail maintenance at Tawasentha Park.

Troop 50 will continue to provide skills, camping and leadership opportunities to the young men of Guilderland. Troop 50 serves boys from 11 to 17 years of age.  All are welcome.

The Troop meets Wednesdays from 6:45 to 8 p.m. at the St. Madeleine Sophie Parish Center on Carman Road.  For more information, contact Scoutmaster Sam Dikeman at 577-0434.

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