A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
BOY SCOUT TROOP 18
OF GASPORT, NY

HISTORY

Troop 18 was founded in 1947, receiving sponsorship from the Covenant United Church of Christ in Gasport. Since its founding, hundreds of youth from this rural town have been involved with this troop. They've participated in array of camping trips that have taken them from Maine to northern Ontario to New Mexico to California. Over the course of the troop's history, 37 scouts have earned the Eagle Award, the highest rank attainable in Scouting.

WEEKLY MEETINGS

Troop 18 meets once a week throughout the entire year. During these meetings we plan for camping trips and development of scouting skills such as first aid, orienteering, and leadership. If you are interested in joining our troop and seeing what Troop 18 has to offer, these meetings would be a perfect time to meet our scouts and leaders. These meetings are held every Wednesday from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Covenant Church on Main Street in Gasport. Enter the church through the lone door on the south side of the building. Head down the stairs to the basement.
 

TROOP 18 IN THE COMMUNITY

Scouting has in the past emphasized community service. Troop 18 is no slouch when it comes to giving a helping hand to Gasport. Here's a list of our regular community service projects...

* An Adopt-a-Trail duty on the Erie Canal towpath
* Participation in the church service on Scout Sunday
* Directing traffic at the Gasport fly-in breakfast
* Supplying "victims" to local EMS and fire training
* Gasport village clean-up
* Serving the Church's annual turkey dinner
* Chores at the Covenant Church

Our community service is highlighted by Eagle Scout service projects, for which we are consistently good for once a year. Those in recent years have been...

* Construction of a "Welcome to Gasport" and
   "upcoming events" sign at Main St and Route 31
* Building of a religious trail at St. Mary's Church
* Planting of Elm trees throughout Gasport
* Construction of railings on the trail at Royalton Ravine
   Park
* Building of a used clothes pantry for the Lockport
   Catholic churches
* Refurbishing the youth center at Middleport's
   Methodist Church

CAMPING & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Troop 18's greatest asset is its program. Few troops can boast of a program that's as varied as ours. We are strong on the Scouting tradition of making a rewarding and educational experience for scouts through outdoor action. We offer one or two one-week summer camp programs and for each month of the year we try to get in one weekend campout or major trip. Here are some of the events we have done in recent years...

* Klondike Derby
* Skiing/boarding at Swain
* A week of Summer Camp
* Wilderness Survival campouts
* Fort Niagara camp-in
* Canoe trips
* Splash Lagoon theme park
* Six Flags Darien Lake

MONTHLY FIELD TRIPS

Another unique aspect of Troop 18's program is our field trips. Once a month we replace the classroom setting of our Wednesday meetings with an evening trip of excitement. Activities we've done....

* Lasertron in Amherst
* Gym night at Gasport Elementary
* Swimming
* Softball vs. Troop 23
* Bowling
* Rock climbing
 

FUNDRAISING

Kids are involved in some many activities nowadays from soccer to little league to video games. We understand that all of these can put a burden on a parent's pocketbook. So, we do our best to help out by running a variety of fundraisers throughout the year. Among them....

* Spaghetti dinner
* Chowder sale
* Easter breakfast at the church