Scouting tradition

Boy Scout Adam Flannigan (left) talks to Assistant Scoutmaster David Ulm about one of the merit badges he has earned in recent months. Boy Scout Troop 200 held a Court of Honor Monday evening. Troops 71 and 371 have combined to form the new Troop 200 in Dexter. [Click to enlarge]

There are some familiar numerals appearing on the uniform of Boy Scouts in Dexter.

Two local Boy Scout troops -- Troop 71 and Troop 371 -- and joined forces and will now be a single troop, and will use a troop number that has a long legacy in the community.

The new troop will be Troop 200, which was the number utilized for decades by a large and active Boy Scout troop in the Dexter area. The new Troop 200 gathered Monday evening for its first combined Court of Honor.

Boy Scout Greg Ulm looks at one of the six merit badges he received at the Court of Honor held by Boy Scout Troop 200 Monday evening. [Click to enlarge]

Scoutmaster Bob Martin said the process of combining the two troops began about a year ago. The troops began to do activities together and attended summer camp together this summer.

"The motivating factor behind this is what we believe is best for community of Dexter, for the youth, and for both troops," Martin said that the beginning of Monday's Court of Honor. He pointed behind him to where over 30 Boy Scouts and nearly a dozen adult leaders were seated as proof of the success of the merger.

"We think we will have a better program for this," he added.

The two troops each had different sponsors. Troop 71 was chartered by the Dexter Kiwanis Club; Troop 371 by the United Methodist Men in Dexter. Martin explained the two groups have agreed to the merger and will be co-chartered of the new Troop 200.

A Boy Scout is supposed to be trustworthy, loyal, cheerful, thrifty, courteous and kind -- but the boys in new Troop 200 have been something else. They've been busy.

At the Court of Honor over 100 merit badges were distributed to boys in the troops on topics ranging from canoeing to basket making to citizenship. Assistant Scoutmaster David Ulm pointed out to the parents gathered for the ceremony that there are generally 35-40 merit badges awarded at a Court of Honor.

As each troop member received their merit badges Ulm asked them to tell the parents a little something they learned as they earned the badge. Oftentimes the boys had to think for a moment, but all could always point out at least one lesson they learned from the experience.

"There's a lot of advancement going on," Ulm noted. "They have been doing some serious work -- we're proud of them. We're not standing still -- we're moving forward."

As the boys were awarded their new ranks, parents were asked to join their sons. The boy presented his mother with a Mother's Pin -- but he was to pin it upside down.

"That pin stays upside down until the Scout does a 'good deed'," Ulm explained. The Boy Scout slogan is "Do a Good Turn Daily"

Among the rank advancement awarded Monday were:

* 2 to Scout

* 12 to Tenderfoot

* 4 to Second Class

* 1 to Star

* 1 to Life

* 1 Eagle

Annabeth Miller may be reached via e-mail at amiller@dailystatesman.com.