From the Ranks Archives

Archive for From the Ranks

Scout in the Spotlight- Den Chief Jimmy

Posted on March 30, 2018

by Editor

When a very young quiet Jimmy came to Troop 334 our leadership had some concerns if they would be the best choice for him. After a few conversations it was decided that not only did they think they could lead Jimmy, they wanted to lead him. He may be quiet but he makes a big impact on everyone. In the few short years with the Troop Jimmy has taken on the role of Scribe, Cub Den Chief, and general “yes, I’ll be there” scout.

In his role as Troop Scribe Jimmy’s responsibilities are to attend and keep meticulous logs of patrol leaders meetings, record individual scout attendance and dues payments, and record individual scout advancement progress. He works with the troop committee member responsible for records and finance, enthusiastically and correctly wears the Scout uniform, lives by the Scout Oath and Law, and shows Scout Spirit at all times.

As a Cub Scout Den Chief Jimmy has a lot of responsibilities. He has to help Cub Scouts achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting, serve as the activities assistant at den meetings, set a good example through attitude and proper uniforming. He is to be a friend to the boys in the den; which he does very well, he helps the den in its part of the monthly pack meetings, knows the importance of the monthly theme and pack meeting plans, meets as needed with adult members of the den, pack, and troop, and attended Den Chief Training.

Jimmy has been extra helpful in special events like recruiting new scouts and collecting food for the Scouting for Hunger. Every year he is one of a few boys who attends the Haunt in the Valley to kick off the collections of non-perishable foods. This year he went one step further and dressed as a dinosaur to grab more attention of the community. Jimmy was just nominated by his peers and accepted the option to join the Order of the Arrow. While being the Scribe, advancing in his own scouting journey, and aiding in the leadership of the cubs, Jimmy has done so well in his academic career he was admitted to the high school program of his choice and is currently holding excellent grades.

Jimmy is the definition of what Troop 334 is about and is a shining example of what good parenting, good leadership and a good scout program can do to help grow a budding young boy into a successful and confident young man.

From the Ranks

Scout In the Spotlight- Scoutmaster Milestone

Posted on March 3, 2018

by Editor

David Craighead began his personal scouting journey on Sept 1, 1974 when he joined Troop 334 along with his brothers. He completed his Order of the Arrow Ordeal in 1978 and made the gradual and ultimate rise to Eagle Scout in 1981. He accepted the calling of Scoutmaster of Troop 334 on March 1, 1997. There was hesitation by the committee, as well as in the mind of Scoutmaster Norman Snyder at the time, but there was…no one better suited. David was working a full-time job, a part-time job and had just put himself through college. He just graduated with his teaching degree, got a full-time teaching position but did not let this deter him from accepting the position. As a trained and educated scout of the very troop he was to lead he used the doubts and hesitation as wind beneath his Eagle wings. Scouting taught him to have confidence in himself and his decisions, the skills to be a leader, the secret strength of the Order of the Arrow, the knowledge of many meetings and camping trips, the ability to survive…anything. He also knew that he could lean on his scout brothers to help push him and keep him moving forward for the boys. Shortly after settling into his role David was informed that Scoutmaster Snyder let the feelings in his heart show and David was presented with the District of Merit Award by Boy Scout Council. It was the validation David needed to encourage him to continue on his path as Scoutmaster. During his time in leadership David got married (to a Girl Scout) and welcomed two beautiful girls into his family. With no sons of his own David continued his dedication to all the sons of the troop. At an Eagle Court of Honor in 2011 David was presented with the President’s (of the United States) Volunteer Service Award. If you ask David, he will tell you, the position hasn’t been easy, it isn’t always fun, but it is ALWAYS worth it. To see a little boy join the group you lead and to watch him grow into a man, hopefully an Eagle, and to have that young man came back and say “Thank you Dave” “Because of you Dave” it’s all the reward one needs. You can’t buy that feeling.

Congratulations on 20 years as Scoutmaster of Troop 334 David Craighead

From the Ranks, Scoutmaster Accouncement

Scout in the Spotlight-Snyder Brothers

February 4, 2018

George Norman

Roxborough is a tight knit community. Many of the people who grow here, stay here or return here. Even more of them give back in some way to this little community in a great big city. We may not always love each but we ALWAYS take care of each other. We are the city of brotherly love. From this city we have an amazing history of two brothers.

In 1944 local twin brothers, George and Norman Snyder, joined Troop 334 just one year after it was founded. They quickly became instrumental in the growth and success of 334. They instilled many of the traditions that we still follow today and constantly fought for the longevity of the troop. For a brief time the brothers were not actively present as they served their country in the U.S. Army however, throughout their lives they held one role or another with 334 and left an indelible mark in the lives of many young men and families of the Troop. They are the reason many of the leaders we have today are here giving back.

George and Norman gave of their nights, weekends, summer vacations and more out of a solid belief that every boy deserves a safe, healthy and empowering place to learn and grow. They believed that scouting helps to develop reliable, dependable, intelligent young men and eventually excellent mature citizens in our community. George Snyder was Scoutmaster 1949-1958, Assistant Scoutmaster 1958 until his untimely young death. Norman Snyder was Sea Scout Adviser 1949-1958, Scoutmaster 1958-1998 and Committee Member 1998-until his death in 2013…40 years of service to Troop 334. Not the founder of the troop by the father of the troop!

There was a garden to honor George at Hart Scout Camp and a campsite dedicated to Norman at the now closed Treasure Island. Those memorials were well intended but didn’t carry on the dedication of George and Norm to the Troop they showed so much love. So, to honor these wonderful men a group of Friends of the troop have established a Scholarship Fund in the name of the Snyder brothers to ensure that the foundation they built stays strong in supporting the young men in our community to succeed in Troop 334. May their memory live on in our hearts and minds.

Scout In the Spotlight- Eagle #1 Edward Ketterer

Posted on September 9, 2017

by Editor

Edward R. Ketterer

Eagle Scout Number One

Where better to start our “Scout in the Spotlight” than with Troop 334 Eagle Scout Number One?

Edward R. Ketterer was awarded the very first Troop 334 Eagle Scout honor on October 2, 1945.

Edward was raised on Ridge Avenue in the Roxborough area of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. He was a graduate of Roxborough High School and obtained his undergraduate and Masters degree in Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He held many jobs pre and post graduation from Wharton School of Business UOP and eventually owned his own business. He was the husband of Muriel “Rikki” Ketterer; brother of Sigmund G. Ketterer.

Recently, one of our 334 Scout families was at a Court of Honor for an Eagle at Troop 3 in Ambler PA. They shared with us the photos below.

We couldn’t have been more surprised than to see this was from our troop and our very first Eagle. Scoutmaster David was discussing with a committee member how much he would like to have the shirt come home. It was pointed out to check out Troop 3’s website while we put together our approach to try to procure the articles. Call it fate or destiny or just plain luck, it turned out Troop 3 is where the Pastor’s son of our supporting Church, Leverington, is a scout. Scoutmaster David reached out to the Pastor to get advice and before we had the chance to take a breath, an email came from Troop 3 offering the history back to Troop 334. In a few short months we will hold a brief ceremony welcoming Edward’s articles back home to the Troop they started in. We are very grateful that the leadership of Troop 3 respects the history and is willing to gift the items to us.

We would like to get more information on Edwards scout life, sadly, Edward passed on Oct. 4, 2007 and had little family to relay his story. none the less…He will forever remain in our history as the young man who started a long line of great young men.

From the Ranks

Scout in the Spotlight

Posted on April 24, 2017

by Editor

COMING SOON!

Our young men are always doing awesome and amazing things but not everyone gets the pleasure to hear about them. It’s time to change that! Coming soon, Scout leadership, Committee and parents will be sharing some of the stories right here in the “Scout in the Spotlight”. Check back soon to see who’s up first.

From the Ranks

334 Proud

Posted on January 30, 2017

by Adrian

I am an active Pack and Troop 334 Committee member and I am also a Girl Scout Leader. While at Daniel Boone Camp (a co-ed camping weekend), that 334 was not on, I started up a conversation with the leaders of a Boy Scout Troop from the far northeast. These two young men had just jumped in to help a newly handicapped leader. They talked about dreams they had for their troop and what they hoped they could offer the boys. Myself and two other Girl Scout leaders were wearing our matching troop shirts and that started the guys on the thought of how they would like that for their boys. One of them said, “Last summer we were at Resica Falls and there was this troop that had these red shirts with a logo and matching hats with where they were from. Even the leaders had matching shirts. They looked so put together and like a troop, even in class B uniforms.” I started laughing. I described the logo and the hat and the guys said “Yes, yes that’s them!” They were talking about Troop 334. Rescia is only in the Pocono’s but the troops that camp there are from all over the USA and sometimes further. I had great pride in being able to say that was my Troop 334! Like Roberto Clemente says “When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest (wo)man on earth.”

— Mary Ann Dunn, wife, mother, and Committee Member for Boy Scout Troop 334 and Cub Scout Pack 334

From the Ranks

A Scout is Reverent and Loyal

Posted on January 30, 2017

by Adrian

When I a young scout my grandfather passed away. I was really close to him. The night of the viewing the funeral home doors opened and all of Troop 334 reverently marched in. Each scout and leader in full uniform, they processed to our family, shared their sympathies and courteously marched back out. Their loyalty and respect was so helpful at that time, they gave me the strength to make it through that heartbreak. Those moments will forever remain with me.

— Jeremy, Eagle Scout, Boy Scout Troop 334

From the Ranks

Friends for Life

Posted on January 30, 2017

by Adrian

I was in Pack and Troop 334 my entire scouting life. I became friends with many of my fellow scouts. Treasure Island was our “go to camp”. One of my fellow 334 scouts who was a few years older than me was on staff at the camp. I got a call that another scout from a different troop who was working there had to leave early and needed coverage. I jumped on the chance to be a part of TI. I packed and arrived within days, everyone was welcoming and I made friends from all over the world. The scout I was covering for returned and the three of us spent the last few days of camp together. TI is long gone but those friends remain. Over 10 years ago we met, we’ve moved on to colleges, jobs, other states and to this day we are the best of friends. All because of scouting.

— J.D.

From the Ranks

Cub Scout Pack 334 and Scouts BSA Troop 334

Cub Scouts meet every Friday at 7:00pm and Scouts BSA meet every Monday at 7:30pm
Leverington Presbyterian Church
6301 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128
Contact Us | Our Policies | Parent's Facebook Group | Directions

Cub Scout Pack 334 and Scouts BSA Troop 334 are part of the Cradle Of Liberty Council.
If we are not local to you, you can click here to find a unit in your area.