WHO WE ARE / WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE

Cambridge Troop & Crew 56 is an active co-ed Scout group of 60 girls and boys, ranging in age from 6 to 20. We have weekly meetings and one outing each month throughout the school year, as well as summer trips and activities. In addition, we attend trainings, hold fundraisers, complete community service projects, and celebrate with advancement ceremonies.

Our leaders are awesome and inspiring. They encourage us to plan our activities and trips for the year. Our troop has a very "Cambridge vibe," as we are made up of boys and girls from all races, religions, sexual preferences, and socio-economic walks of life. Our emphasis is on making friends, tying knots, learning leadership skills, and roasting marshmallows, not disseminating the national headquarters' politics. We build bonds and go on amazing adventures together.

We have 24 registered leaders, 2 Co-Scoutmasters and Co-Advisors, 7 Assistant Scoutmasters, 4 Associate Advisors, and 12 Committee Members. Many of our leaders wear multiple hats.

Our Troop and Crew meet each Tuesday evening during the school year, both together and also as individual groups based on age and skill level. The younger boys are called New Scouts, they move up to Tenderfoot; the younger girls are Learning for Lifers. Cub Scouts move up to Boy Scouts; and Learning for Lifers become Venturers. Boy Scouts move up the ranks from New Scout, to Tenderfoot, to Second Class, to First Class, to Star, to Life and then finally Eagle.

OUR PRINCIPLES AND PHILOSOPHY

We believe in the values of respect for ourselves and others, honesty, and good conduct. We also believe that in order to learn, we want to include fun in our activities. We believe in learning skills that will last a lifetime, including basic outdoor skills, first aid, citizenship skills, leadership skills, and how to get along with others.

Our philosophy is to be a kid-driven group. We are guided by our adult leaders and learn from our mistakes.

Our Troop & Crew is inclusionary and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.

TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES

• Climbing 4,000-foot mountain of NH to raise a flag, as part of the "Flags on the 48" annual commemoration of those who died on 9/11.

• Scout Camporee weekend in New Hampshire with camping, races, riflery, scuba diving, horseback riding, and geocaching.

• "Turkey Roast" camping weekend.

• Trip to the Boy Scout Headquarters in Switzerland, with skiing, snowboarding, and a side trip to the Matterhorn.

• Snowshoe trip to Appalachian Mountain Club cabins in New Hampshire.

• Scuba diving weekend at Boy Scout Camp Sayre.

• Whitewater rafting in New Hampshire.

• Fishing and camping trip to Cape Cod.

• Week-long Canadian National Scout Jamboree.

• Two-week camping trip in Philmont, New Mexico with mountain-climbing, hiking, and horseback riding.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND EAGLE PROJECTS

Tano’s Eagle Project:
Tano’s Eagle Project consisted of the Friends of Alewife Reservation and City of Cambridge develop storm water brochure for local businesses and neighbors as a watershed Pilot Project, implemented and organized by local Scout troop.

Miles’ Eagle Project:
Miles’ Eagle Project consisted of rebuilding the brick walkway on the side of Grace United Methodist Church, this added to the beauty of this church.

Marcel’s Eagle Project:
Marcel’s Eagle Project consisted of planting Disease Resistant Dutch Elm trees in the Cambridge Cemetery, and in front of the Graham & Parks Public School, honoring the late Rosa Parks.

Nick’s Eagle Project:
Nick’s Eagle Project consisted of collecting used eye glasses and cases to be donated to the Lions Club.

Hannah's Ranger Project:
Hannah's Ranger Project consisted of plants plants and other flowers in Fresh Pond.

Gideon's Eagle Project:
Gideon's Eagle Project helped clean up and beautify the Armory located in Cambridge.

Community Service Projects:
National Seashore, Clean Up the Charles

FUNDRAISING

We just completed a fundraiser as part of the annual (and world-famous) Head of the Charles^® Regatta held in October. We were among the few to be allowed as a "vendor" along the river! We sold portrait and nature photographs by our talented leader, Derrick Jackson, under one tent. Next door we had bountiful tables of homemade baked goods, bottled water, and hot coffee.

Mr. Jackson also generously donates his photographs each year to benefit the Troop and Crew as part of the Cambridgeport Artists Open Studios (CAOS). CAOS is an annual presentation over a weekend in September, in the Cambridgeport neighborhood of Cambridge, where artists open their homes and studios for viewing and purchasing their artwork.

Also, each year we hold a holiday wreath and Christmas tree sale for Cambridge neighbors and friends. We take orders and then have a pick-up weekend at one of the Scout houses where we have hot cider and roast hot dogs as a holiday tradition for neighbors picking up their trees.

In the Spring, for Mother’s Day, we hold a potted plant and flower sale. We take orders from our friends and families for beautiful plants which we then purchase from a local gardening center at wholesale, with the profits going to our Troop and Crew.

Also, through a program called "Change A Light, Change the World," we began selling energy-saving light bulbs that are donated by the local electric company. One of our city councilors, Henrietta Davis, has made saving energy, with these light bulbs in particular, an important part of her work as Chair of the Public Utilities Committee. We hope the community awareness she brings us will open the door to more sales this year.

In addition, we have sponsors who value our Troop & Crew and choose to generously donate to us.

COMMUNITY DONORS

Our Troop and Crew are supported by many community-minded businesses and families. Among our donors are the Owen's Trust, the Lyons Trust and the Framer's Workshop in Brookline, MA.

HISTORY

Boy Scout Troop 56 was originally chartered in 1963. Venturing Crew 56 began in 2003.

Scoutmasters:

???? – 1990          Bill Campbell
1990 – 1993        Ellis Oglesby
1993 – 2003        Ed Henley
2003 – 2007        Derrick Jackson/Michelle Holmes
2007 – present    David English/Michelle Holmes

Written by Barby Prothro, Parent Volunteer