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When the First Baptist Church of Westwood celebrates Scout Sunday at its service on April 10, it will honor all branches of scouting.
In particular, this year the church will recognize Boy Scout Troop 3 Westwood for its continuing commitment to community service as well as for two recent Eagle Scout projects.
Troop 3 was chartered 53 years ago by the First Baptist Church which continues to sponsor the troop. Its projects throughout the town have included work at the Hale Reservation constructing steps up a trail and restoring a foot bridge through the nature site.
During the Christmas season, the scouts of Troop 3 participate in the Wreaths Across America program, placing wreaths on the graves of veterans in the two Westwood cemeteries.
During the past year, there have been two major Eagle Scout projects carried out on the church’s property. The outdoor Baker Chapel area has been renovated and upgraded, and a campfire circle with a fire pit and benches has been created near the church parking lot for use by all youth and adult programs sponsored by the First Baptist Church.
“First Baptist is delighted to partner with Boy and Girl Scouting groups,” said The Rev. Dr. Stephanie Salinas, pastor of the church. “Our shared work in our community has been important to the growth of all organizations involved.”
Troop 3 is regionally respected for the number of scouts who achieve the highest honor of Eagle Scout. Later this year, it is expected that three more troop members will complete the requirements for Eagle Scout.
Kenneth Shaw, the Chartered Organization Representative for Troop 3 Westwood, noted that troop members are placed on a pathway to gain at their own pace the skills and moral values of the Boy Scouts, not to just work to become Eagle Scouts.
