Join Our Adventure

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06c8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <B>Member of Allohak Council #618</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Charter</B></div> <div> <B>March 29, 1917</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Founder</B></div> <div> <B>Don B. Lowe</B></div> <div> <I><B>1891 - 1975</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Scoutmaster</B></div> <div> <B>Tom Dukas</B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06d8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Boy Scout Troop 3 in Parkersburg, West Virginia </B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Boy Scout Troop 3 in Parkersburg, West V"><U><I><B>Home</B></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Boy Scout Troop 3 in Parkersburg, West V"><U>Boy Scout Troop 3 in Parkersburg, West Virginia </U></A>   |   <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Schedule"><U>Schedule</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id46.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mission"><U>Mission</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Events"><U>Events</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Reunion"><U>Reunion</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Media"><U>Media</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Corporate Meeting"><U>Corporate Meeting</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Latest News"><U>Latest News</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Eagle Scouts"><U>Eagle Scouts</U></A>   |   <B>Join Our Adventure</B>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Other Recommended Sites"><U>Other Recommended Sites</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06d8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>Join Our Adventure</I></div> <bR> <div> Troop 3 – Providing 94 years of Awesome and Exciting Outdoor Adventures</div> <bR> <div> If you’re interested in Scouting, take a close look at Troop 3, because we provide the true “Out” in Scouting, </div> <div> through a year-round program filled with exciting outdoor adventures.</div> <bR> <div> First we’d like to tell you how we are organized and, then, some details about <A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What We Do"><U>what we do</U></A>!</div> <bR> <div> Troop 3 is sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church, and occupies a separate Scout Meeting House </div> <div> on the church grounds at 13th and Anne Streets.</div> <bR> <div> The troop was founded on March 29, 1917, is 94 years old, one of the oldest Boy Scout troops in the </div> <div> United States, the oldest continually active troop in the Greater Parkersburg Area, and the second </div> <div> oldest in the State of West Virginia.</div> <bR> <div> During the troop’s rich history, which includes 89 summer camps, over 1,100 young men have been </div> <div> members, with 127 having achieved the Eagle award, the highest rank in Scouting.  Troop 3 also has </div> <div> the distinction of having produced the first Eagle Scout in the State of West Virginia, in 1919.</div> <bR> <div> Tom Dukas has been Scoutmaster for the past 27 years, only the fourth in the troop’s history. Scoutmaster </div> <div> Dukas says, that the “Troop 3 Experience”, with the Scout Oath and Law as it’s foundation, is designed to </div> <div> develop confidence, self-esteem and strong personal values through an adventurous outdoor program, </div> <div> community service, and leadership in the troop.”</div> <bR> <div> Continuity of troop leadership is supported by an active Alumni organization, which owns a stone cabin, </div> <div> known as the Base, located on the beautiful Ohio River in Belpre, Ohio, plus, a 152-acre wooded wilderness </div> <div> area called “Camp Smitty”, which is situated in a remote and rugged area on the Hughes River, in </div> <div> Wirt County, WV.</div> <bR> <div> Over the years, the Alumni group has helped sustain the troop’s distinctive mission and camping style. </div> <div> Many former members often return to provide adult leadership during summer, fall, and winter outings.</div> <bR> <div> In Troop 3, we mix achievement, friendships, and an active outdoor program with supportive adult leadership. </div> <div> Then, we watch the learning produce skills that are important for a lifetime.</div> <bR> <div> Let’s now discuss the true “out” in Scouting that keeps our members constantly energized, and on the go!</div> <bR> <div> This year, unlike all the other troops, the Scouts in Troop 3 chose to paddle their canoes and kayaks, 31 </div> <div> miles by river, from the Base in Belpre, Ohio to their summer wilderness camp, on the Hughes River, at </div> <div> Camp Smitty.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> A key part of a vibrant outdoor program of exciting adventures for every season, and for Scouts and leaders </div> <div> of every age, is the true wilderness experience that Camp Smitty provides. A typical day at our summer camp </div> <div> might include one, or more of the following events; </div> <bR> <div> * A scenic river trip using the troop’s 4 canoes and 6 kayaks. Canoeing and kayaking with confidence provides </div> <div>    each of our Scouts with a unique sense of adventure and freedom. Around every bend the Hughes River </div> <div>    provides ample opportunities to observe an abundance of wildlife in its native habitat.</div> <bR> <div> * A hike to one of the areas known for interesting rock overhangs and caves. It’s always fun to cool off in a cave.</div> <bR> <div> * Rappelling on one of the nearby rock faces with a certified guide. The security of a belay rope gives Scouts the </div> <div>    confidence to challenge their limits and reach beyond what they thought was possible.</div> <bR> <div> * Skeet shooting and marksmanship contests.</div> <bR> <div> * A wildlife hike provides Scouts the opportunity to appreciate nature, and understand their surroundings.</div> <bR> <div> * Construction of a monkey bridge always presents a unique challenge to test the Scout’s wilderness </div> <div>    engineering ability and teamwork.</div> <bR> <div> * An occasional 20-mile hike, just to get the blood flowing provides a pathway to adventure and physical fitness.</div> <bR> <div> * Treasure hunts, orienteering, an adventure trail, knot trying competitions, or an athletic meet.</div> <bR> <div> * Mixing good friends with a cool, refreshing swim in our beautiful and tranquil swimming area is a recipe for</div> <div>   magnificent fun on a hot summer day.</div> <bR> <div> * Watermelon scrambles in the river promote competition and fellowship. And, best of all, the winners get to </div> <div>    snack on their “hard won” prize!</div> <bR> <div> *  Homemade boat races create lasting memories. Ingenuity, lashings, and a few odd parts go into these </div> <div>     watercraft wonders constructed at camp.</div> <bR> <div> * Building a diving tower in the river always provides a challenge, plus excitement and fun for all. </div> <bR> <div> * Morning and evening flag ceremonies. These are colorful affairs that demonstrate our solemn respect for </div> <div>    the flag of the United States, and for what it represents.</div> <bR> <div> * Pancake flipping and string-burning contests can really get the competitive juices flowing in the evening. </div> <div>   They’re a great way to burn off excess energy.</div> <bR> <div> * Then there’s the nightly campfire that shines the light of fellowship on the Scouts with laughter, singing, </div> <div>    skits, and story telling, thoroughly enjoyed, by one and all!</div> <bR> <div> While summer camp is really fun, Troop 3’s energetic outdoor activity program keeps everyone mighty </div> <div> busy during the remaining 51 weeks of the year.</div> <bR> <div> For instance:</div> <bR> <div> * There’s a fall camp weekend, where the program is more laid back as we enjoy the beautiful foliage, </div> <div>    nice weather, and some mighty tasty food. </div> <bR> <div> * Then, there’s the annual ski, and sledding, weekend where we “camp out” during January in “heated” </div> <div>    cabins at Black Water Falls State Park. The elevation of this park always provides plenty snow for </div> <div>    outdoor activities.</div> <bR> <div> * You can always count on a couple of weekend hikes in the mountains of WV. Recent destinations have </div> <div>    included: Cranberry Glades, High Falls of the Cheat River, and North Fork Mountain.</div> <bR> <div> * Year round camping enlivens Troop 3’s outdoor program with adventures for every season</div> <bR> <div> * Since Scout meeting is held during June-August at the Base in Belpre, the Ohio River always presents </div> <div>   a ready opportunity for canoeing, kayaking, or water skiing.</div> <bR> <div> * Organizing community service projects and matching tools to the tasks at hand teaches Scouts the </div> <div>    important skills of planning and leadership.</div> <bR> <div> * Weekend overnight campouts at the Base are always encouraged. </div> <bR> <div> * Practice in planning and carrying out the steps for reaching goals translates to success on a climbing </div> <div>    wall and beyond.</div> <bR> <div> * Hikes on the Appalachian Trail consistently provide a solid test of the troop’s back packing and </div> <div>    wilderness camping skills.</div> <bR> <div> * One of the highlights in the past few years was a trip to a High Adventure Base known as the </div> <div>    Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM, where the troop hiked 76 miles though breath-taking scenery </div> <div>    at elevations up to 12,300’.</div> <bR> <div> *  During this trip the Scouts: sat at the controls of a 727 jet, visited a historic fort, demonstrated their </div> <div>     superior ability to win every donkey race at Philmont, and passed the ultimate test of backpacking </div> <div>     and camping skills with “flying colors!</div> <bR> <div> * The Philmont Trip was capped off with a “victory” dinner at the High Finance restaurant atop </div> <div>    10,378’ Sandia Peak, overlooking the beautiful lights of Albuquerque, NM, over a mile below.</div> <bR> <div> I could go on, but the previous examples should give you a good idea of <B><U>how Troop 3 combines </U></B></div> <div> <B><U>adventure and excitement to produce the true “Out” in Scouting that our program so richly </U></B></div> <div> <B><U>demonstrates</U></B>. </div> <bR> <div> The troop’s ability to promote thrilling, outdoor adventures is virtually endless, and only limited by </div> <div> our imagination and the kind of things that our members like to do.</div> <bR> <div> For over 94 years, our members have been part of a very unique family, a family, known for it’s strong </div> <div> bonds, enthusiastic support for each other, and interesting, fun-filled, learning activities.</div> <bR> <div> <B>If the unique “Troop 3 Experience” we offer appeals to you, there are two ways that boys </B></div> <div> <B>11 years, or older, can “</B><A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What We Do"><U><B>check us out!</B></U></A><B>”</B></div> <bR> <div> 1. The troop meets at 7:00 PM on Thursday night, June through August, at the Base on Beach Drive </div> <div> in Belpre, Ohio. The rest of the year meetings are held at the Don B. Lowe Scout House on the </div> <div> grounds of the First Presbyterian Church, at 13th and Anne Streets. We invite you to visit one of </div> <div> these weekly meetings.</div> <bR> <div> 2. You can contact Scoutmaster Tom Dukas at <A HREF="mailto:scouting@troop3wv.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:scouting@troop3wv.org"><U>Scouting@troop3wv.org</U></A>.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Don’t delay! A program of exciting adventures awaits those who join now!!!</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>