
By Bronxville Boy Scout Troop 5 Media Liaison
Oct. 14, 2015: On Monday, October 5, 2015, Boy Scout Troop 5 held its Court of Honor.
Twelve Scouts advanced rank, and over 100 merit badges were awarded to 24 Scouts.
In Scouting, there are seven ranks and 121 merit badges a Scout can earn. In order to advance, all candidates must participate in a Scoutmaster Conference and pass a board of review. The seven ranks are Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle.
Upon crossing over from Cub Scouts into Boy Scouts, a boy earns the rank of Scout. He must then learn basic knots, help on camping trips, and become proficient in other Scout skills in order to become a Tenderfoot. The Scouts who advanced to Tenderfoot at the Court of Honor are JP Denfeld, Michael Krajiniczyn, Marco LeVecchia, Mack Layton, Andrew Mager, and Hudson Schnier.
To earn Second Class, a Scout must learn how to use a map and compass, how, when, and where to build a campfire, and how to safely use pocketknives and wood tools. Second Class Scouts have proven their abilities in camping, first aid, swimming, and other Scout skills. The Scouts who advanced to Second Class are Tora Ozawa, Peter Vorbach, and Michael Krajniczyn.
In order to achieve First Class, Scouts must learn how to use a compass, learn about nutrition, cook for their patrol, speak with civic leaders, learn lashings and how to tie a bowline, pass the BSA swimmer test, and be prepared to administer all kinds of first aid. The Scouts who advanced to First Class are Marco Crinieri and Ben Mehler.
For Scouts who earn the rank of Star, the focus shifts from basic Scout skills to developing leadership skills and earning four merit badges of the twelve required to make Eagle Scout. They must also complete hours of community service. Star Scouts are expected to provide leadership, guidance, and inspiration to younger Scouts. The Scouts who advanced to Star are Clay Layton and Karsten Schnier.
Twenty-four members of Troop 5 earned 101 merit badges since the last Court of Honor. To earn a merit badge, a Scout picks a subject and reads the Merit Badge Book. There are many requirements that must be completed to earn a particular badge. When he is ready, a merit badge counselor tests the Scout. Scouts can earn any of 121 different merit badges in areas ranging from scuba diving, to first aid, to fire safety, to citizenship in the world. Six new badges were recently introduced by BSA: sustainability, programming, game design, search & rescue, kayaking, and welding.
At the ceremony, Scoutmaster Kevin Taylor congratulated the members of the troop on their achievements and reminded the Scouts that hard work and discipline are two of the character traits a boy needs to move ahead in Scouts. Discipline, he said, is what makes us good and great; it makes us more than just dreamers. It is the springboard to our personal goals, no matter how lofty they may be.
In 2015, Troop 5 provided many activities for its Scouts to work on to achieve rank advancement and merit badges. In the spring, there was a camping trip to Vermont, where the Scouts learned how to fly-fish at the Orvis Fly-Fishing School. In the fall, the troop went to Saratoga, NY, where it received a special permit to camp on the battlefield that proved to be the turning point in favor of the Colonialists during the Revolutionary War. In the summer, many Troop 5 Scouts spent a week or more at Camp Read in the Adirondacks, where there were numerous opportunities to earn merit badges and complete requirements for rank advancement.
Pictured here (L to R): Marco Crinieri (First Class), Clay Layton (Star), Andrew Mager (Tenderfoot), Karsten Schnier (Star), and Peter Vorbach (Second Class).
Photo by Margaret Mager
HOME & GARDEN
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not-for-profit organization administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. The mission of the BBC is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of the village of Bronxville, with an emphasis on the downtown business district.
Click here to learn more
Boulder Ledge Garden Club
Founded in 1966, the Boulder Ledge Garden Club is rooted in a mission to inspire a deeper appreciation and love for gardening and flower arranging. The club is dedicated to fostering and promoting interest and knowledge in gardening.
The Club maintains Bronxville’s Bicentennial Park and other civic gardens. In 2019–2020 the club raised $18,000 to replace trees in the village, reflecting its active role in community beautification. It also holds garden therapy projects and educational garden trips for members.
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Bronxville Giving Garden
The Bronxville Giving Garden is a community-centered garden that donates organic produce to Eastchester Community Action Partnership in Tuckahoe and Community Service Associates in Mount Vernon. The garden is also a gathering place where school children and volunteers can discover the joy of tending plants and growing food.
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Bronxville Green Committee
The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. It proposes and implements environmentally sustainable programs in our community.
You can contact them HERE.
SCOUTING
Bronxville Boy Scouts
The village of Bronxville has a long tradition of scouting. “The troops and packs of Bronxville have maintained the finest scouting organizations and have taught the boys of the Bronxville area to be leaders and outstanding members of the local, national and global communities.”
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Bronxville Girls Scouts
The Girls Scouts is “the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.” In Girl Scouts, “girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouts, they can grow courageous and strong.”
Here is more information about girl scouts.
HISTORY
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
Inspired by the highly successful Bronxville Centennial Celebration in 1998, the Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded to record and preserve Bronxville's history and life in the village today.
BRONXVILLE SCHOOL
Bronxville School Foundation
The Bronxville School Foundation, founded in 1991, is a non-profit organization independent from the school with the sole purpose of supporting the school.
The mission of the Bronxville School Foundation is to enhance the quality of public education in our community by engaging the support and energies of educators, citizens, parents, students and alumni.
The Foundation awards grants for projects
CLICK HERE to learn more.
LECTURES, EXHIBITS, CONCERTS
Bronxville Women's Club
The Bronxville Women’s Club offers lectures, exhibits and concerts. It also has a beautiful clubhouse which is available for rental for events.
135 Midland Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3252
Concordia Conservatory
Concordia Conservatory, a preeminent center for music education in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, is a welcoming community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music.
The Conservatory’s mission is to inspire, instruct, and enrich lives through music offering excellence in education and performance.
CLICK HERE for more information.
COUNSELING
Counseling Center
Founded in 1971, the mission of the Counseling Center “is to provide a wide range of psychotherapeutic and counseling services to individuals, couples and families by a staff of highly trained, experience and dedicated psychotherapists.
The Counseling Center
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-3388
www.counselingcenter.org
SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM
Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester & Tuckahoe
The mission of the Community Fund is “to support broad social services in Bronxville 10708, Eastchester and Tuckahoe through grants and technical support to local agencies and community projects. All money raised here in our community stays here in our community.”
15 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-8808
www.thecommunityfund.org
Junior League of Bronxville
The Junior League of Bronxville is “an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”
Rotary Club of Bronxville
The Rotary Club of Bronxville is part of a national network of 1.25 million problem-solvers. They see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
READING & LEARNING
Friends of the Bronxville Library
The Friends of the Bronxville Library is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to focus attention on the “Library’s services, facilities and needs” as well as sponsor projects and provide materials that are beyond the reach of the Library's regular budget and perform other services.
SENIORS
Gramatan Village
Gramatan Village is a unique community model offering programs, services and social connections that help members continue to live independently in their homes as they age. In addition, GV offers one-on-one consultations and counseling with our experienced staff to guide members through life’s transitions.
Senior Citizens of Bronxville
Senior Citizens of Bronxville is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and programs to seniors within the 10708 zip code area. “Programs cover a wide range of activities from educational seminars and cultural enrichment to community services, bridge classes and exercise.”