Page 20 - AUG2025

Page 20 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM August 2025
Community
By Donna RhoDes
The year 2025 marks the 80th Anniversary of when Bridgewater Boy Scout Troop 50 began and the troop would like to invite all who have been a part of their organization over the years to join them for a special celebration in August.
“We’re looking forward to having some good conversa- tions between the generations; lots of reminiscing, chatting and a reunion of past scouts,” said Assistant Scoutmaster Jan Towne.
The troop was established in 1945 with six local boys who signed up to become Boy Scouts. 80 years later there are now more than 20 members, under the leadership of Jan’s husband, Scoutmaster Josiah Towne.
Boys can sign up to join Troop 50 at the age of 11, and where their scouting ex-
perience goes from there is up to them. Scouting gives them the opportunity to learn many life skills, explore the outdoors, make friends and become part of their community. Along the way they earn Merit Badges for their accomplishments. Jan Towne explained that there are seven ranks they can achieve through scouting, topping it off with their Eagle Scout Badge and finally, the honor of be- coming a Life Scout.
“It’s their own journey,” she said.
Since 1945, Troop 50 scouts have been a vibrant part of the Newfound Area through special projects and service. Recent ac- tivities have included partic- ipation in local parades and the creation of a new sign for the Bridgewater Town Clerk’s office on River Road as well as new steps for the building, where they hold their weekly meetings. Behind the town of-
Photo Courtesy
On August 9th, Bridgewater Boy Scout Troop 50 will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of when these six boys became the founding members of the troop
Bridgewater’s Old Home Day, hosting opening ceremonies to get the activities underway then raising money through their Snack Shack. At Christmas the troop also sells wreaths and in the summer they hold plant sales as a few of their other fundraisers throughout the year.
Three years ago Troop 50 was able to attend the West Point Camporee in New York state. Last year’s adventure found them teaming up with fellow scouts from Bristol Troop 59 to visit historic places such as Valley Forge, Gettysburg and Washington D.C.. Along the way they earned extra badges towards the goal of becoming an Eagle Scout.
WIth the 80th Anniversary approaching, the Towne’s old- est son Wyatt, a top achieving Life Scout who also serves as Troop Historian, came across an old log book from their predecessors. Tucked away in their cabin, the book chroni- cled activities the scouts were enjoying back in the early days. Wyatt also found some original Scout Blue Cards. These cards are used to track a scout’s Merit Badges as they earn them. Wy- att’s dad Josiah was also able to locate some old uniforms from family members of an early Boy Scout as well other mem- orabilia.
Those items and much more will be on display during their anniversary celebration.
Bridgewater Boy Scout Troop 50 will be welcoming their past Boy Scout members and Scout Leaders to the Old Bridgewater Town Hall on Sat- urday, August 9th at 11 a.m.. The building will be open so people can enjoy their many photos and displays, and hot dogs and hamburgers will also be available for their guests.
The troop hopes many of them can join in on a day set aside to reminisce about Troop 50’s rich scouting history and share some memories along the way. RSVP’s are appreci- ated and may be sent through the group’s Facebook page or by emailing bsatroop50dwc@ gmail.com.
Troop 50 80th Anniversary August 9th
fices they also have a cabin that was built by boy scouts in the 1950s, The cabin is still used several times each winter for fun and educational outdoor
experiences. Recently the cur- rent troop even added a new woodshed and flagpole for the cabin.
The scouts also take part in
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