Boy Scout Troop 114

      As you may know, HPCUMC is the charter organization and home to a local Boy Scout troop. But did you also know that Troop 114 is 75 years old and one of the oldest troops in Cincinnati? Church member Mike Collini is the assistant scoutmaster and a big believer in the purpose of scouting: building leaders with character. Troop 114 ranges anywhere from 36 – 45 members with ages 13 – 14 and up.

      Although assistant scout masters like Mike are important mentors to these scouts, Mike emphasizes that if he mentors correctly, it's actually the "boys who lead the boys." Mike’s son Tom has been involved with the troop and recently became an Eagle Scout along with four other young men from 114. (An impressive accomplishment !)
     Other church members have Troop 114 ties: Bill, Rita and J.L. Strubbe (Rita is the troop's charter representative); Lois and James Mosteller (Lois is treasurer) and Bob Edgecomb. (Bob, who was recently featured in a newsletter article) became involved in scouting when his son Rob (age 25) was young. Bob shares Mike’s belief that boys who stick with scouting remain on the right track throughout life.
      As for the logistics, the troop holds monthly camping events; each one includes religious services. During winter months, Troop 114 meets every Monday at 7:00 PM in Room 311; meetings are held every other week during the summer. In addition to character building and outdoor activities (like backpacking, horseback riding, biking, canoeing), our Boys Scouts also take an active role in furthering HPCUMC’s outreach programs. The young men might be found assembling and delivering Thanksgiving baskets, serving meals at Nast Trinity, or just pitching-in at the spur of the moment as community needs arise.
      This important HPCUMC ministry is not only effective, it's also diverse. Troop 114 includes students from Hyde Park, Over-the-Rhine and other neighborhoods. Mike also points out that although 18-year-olds who graduate as “Eagle Scouts” tend to move on, it is not unusual for them to come back and serve in a mentoring role later down the road. This troop is a consistently successful program; HPCUMC and all those involved are worthy of recognition.
      Scouting is just another example of one of the many ways HPCUMC mentors. For more information about how to get involved with Troop #114 or scouting, please contact Mike Collini (513) 321-6276 or mcollini@fuse.net; also, visit the troop’s website at www.troop114.net.