Post 50 and Boy Scout Troop 2

Find out more about Boy Scout Troop 2 at boyscoutstroop2nh.org or facebook.com/troop2nh.

Boy Scouts Troop 2, a small all-boy troop based in Antrim, NH, is the oldest troop in New Hampshire. Originally Troop 1, it has been in existence since 1913, and continuously chartered by the American Legion Myers-Prescott-Olson Post #50 in Antrim since 1931. The troop consists of boys ages 11-17 from the towns of Antrim, Bennington, Hancock, Francestown, Deering, and Greenfield.

For over 109 years, Troop 2 has carried on the traditions and reinforced the values of the Boy Scouts of America, providing teenage boys life and leadership skills, and instilling a great sense of pride in our country and the military, and providing selfless service to the communities in which we serve. All this, while showing the boys a respect and love for all things outdoors, and guiding them on eyeopening, once-in-a-lifetime adventures throughout the country.

In just the recent past, in 2017, Troop 2 ventured out to New York City for a week long trek, exploring all the sites and history the city has to offer, while camping every night (as all Boy Scouts should) in a reservation on Staten Island. And, for the next two years, the boys fundraised enough to partake in a two-week long cross-country trip to Yellowstone National Park, visiting various landmarks in 17 different states on the way there and back. Previous to 2016, we've taken canoe trips to Beal Island in Maine, as well as trips to Philadelphia and Gettysburg, PA, and we've made two trips to the STEM Jamboree at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. Many, many adventures!

Summer camp, typically considered the highlight of any given year, has been an adventure all of its own. In 2016, we attended Hidden Valley Camp in Gilmanton, NH, and in 2017, we attending Camp Bell, also in Gilmanton. To help the Scouts experience new things and new places, we spiced things up a bit and in 2018 attended Camp Yawgoog in Rhode Island, and in 2019 Camp Wanocksett in Dublin, NH. 2020 saw camp cancelled due to COVID-19, and not letting that stop us, we went whitewater rafting in central Maine instead. In 2021, we found ourselves at Camp Hinds in Raymond, ME, sharing the camp with a Citizen's Air Patrol squadron. And, in 2022, we went to Camp Norris in Eden, VT.

Never forgetting our commitment to community service, Troop 2 provides a record number of hours of service annually. Every year, when our council holds one food drive event, dubbed 'Scouting for Food', Troop 2 holds two, on in the fall and one in the spring, which supports the Antrim-Bennington Food Pantry. Before Memorial Day each year, we partner with the American Legion Post #50 to place flags on the graves of every veteran in the 5 cemeteries located in Antrim, and we have for years planted geraniums on the graves of veterans at cemeteries located in Hancock, NH. On Memorial Day every year, with the exception of the ones cancelled for COVID-19, Troop 2 marches in parades in Antrim, Bennington, and finally in Hancock. Every year, on Veteran's Day, we march with the Legion and other civic groups at the annual Veteran's Day parade held in Francestown, NH. Annually, on Flag Day, we hold a flag retirement ceremony in concert with the Legion at Memorial Park in Antrim. Further, Troop 2 has also adopted and two mile stretch of Route 202 on the Antrim/ Bennington town line, and four times a year we perform roadside cleanup to help keep our hometowns beautiful.

The aforementioned community service does not include the service provided by our Scouts individually, typically while working to earn rank advancement, include to the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts. Nationally, only 4% of Boy Scouts earn the rank of Eagle. In 109 years, only a 25 Troop 2 boys have earned the rank of Eagle Scout, each requiring a project planned and executed by the candidate. In recent years, that has resulted in a handicap access ramp for the Congregational Church in Bennington, two different hiking trails being constructed a food donation drop box at the Antrim-Bennington Food Pantry, and a Gaga Ball pit at Memorial Park in Antrim, amongst others. Currently, one candidate is working on putting together backpacks with needed supplies to support foster children who have nothing in New Hampshire.

COVID-19 has had a drastic effect on Boy Scout troops everywhere. However, where other troops unfortunately ceased operations, lost their members, and ultimately folded, Troop 2 persevered, as it has for over a century. We adapted our schedule, and spent the pandemic hiking, canoeing, and shooting... more than normal... to stay active and stay outside, and keep the boys together.

This coming summer, many of the Boy Scouts in Troop 2 are hoping to make it to the 2023 National Jamboree at Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia, as well as summer camp. They have fundraised for this thus far by parking cars and running a food booth at the Granite State Old Truck Meet at Hawthorne-Feather Airport in Deering, NH, operating a food booth at Antrim's annual Home & Harvest Festival, and will be selling Christmas wreaths this November as the culmination of their annual fundraising efforts. Their hard work and determination will pay off, as it has in the past.

Time goes on, and so does Troop 2, as they have for over 100 years, through wars, a depression, recessions, and a pandemic. With the continued support of American Legion Post #50, chances are Boy Scout Troop 2 will continue to be active and serve our communities for the next 100 years.

Submitted by: Michael Redmond, Sr.

Back L-R Troop Committee Chair Ed Hebert (50+ years with Troop), Life Scout Hunter Redmond, Eagle Scout, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Mt. Monadnock Order of the Arrow Chapter Chief & Vigil Honors Member Michael Redmond, Jr., Tenderfoot Scout Spencer Redmond, Scout Jesse Kiblin, and Scoutmaster Michael Redmond, Sr.

Front, Center Senior Patrol Leader Cooper Redmond).