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Over the next nine months, two dozen Boy Scouts from Troop 2 in Summerville will be preparing to battle the elements, battle the Swamp Fox Passage of the Palmetto Trail, and battle Bladder Cancer. Last December, Troop leaders began planning a 50 mile hike for the Troop so that those participating could achieve the Boy Scout 50 Miler Award. In order to achieve this award, the boys are required to cover 50 miles over a period of at least five consecutive days and perform 10 hours of community service along the way. Their reward for accomplishing this feat is a $2.59 patch and the satisfaction of accomplishing a goal. In order to motivate the boys, Troop leaders added an extra incentive, to hike for a charitable cause.
On January 19th, the boys had their cause – Bladder Cancer Research. On that day, Beverly Justis, mother of Troop 2 Scoutmaster Glenn Justis and grandmother of Scout Joe Justis lost her battle with the disease just 5 months after losing her husband of 55 years to a heart attack and stroke. Beverly and her husband Bill were both Scout leaders for their son Glenn and supporters of Troop 2.
Inspired to make a difference, 12-year-old Joe Justis contacted the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network the day following his grandmother’s funeral to see what he could do to help. He contacted legislators and Senators Sean Bennett and Brad Hutto have co-sponsored a resolution in the South Carolina Senate to declare May 2013 as Bladder Cancer Awareness Month in South Carolina. A similar resolution in the House is also expected.
Troop 2 is planning a Bladder Cancer Awareness Rally on May 4th at Knightsville Baptist Church to coincide with the Troop’s annual BBQ fundraiser. Bladder Cancer is the 5th leading type of cancer in the U.S. but it receives very little recognition and support. Troop 2 wants to change that and has committed to spend the next nine months getting the word out and shining light on this disease.
In order to be prepared for the 50 mile hike in December, the Scouts will conduct a series of training hikes throughout the year and work on skills such as orienteering, cooking, camping, first aid, and physical fitness.
The culmination of their efforts will take place on December 26, 2013 when the boys put on their 30-35lb backpacks and travel to Awendaw, SC to start the 51.2 mile journey to Boy Scout Camp Moultrie. They will arrive six days later on December 31st. Along the way they will battle the elements and camp along the trail. While most kids will be enjoying their break from school and their newly acquired Christmas presents, the Scouts will be putting into practice the survival skills they have learned throughout the year. They will also be battling Bladder Cancer on step at a time.
For more information on Bladder Cancer, please refer to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network at www.bcan.org. For information on how you can support Troop 2’s efforts please contact Scoutmaster Glenn Justis at thedeucebsa@yahoo.com
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Boy Scout Troop 2 “The Deuce” Wraps up 2012
On November 3, Boy Scout Troop 2 sponsored an overnight camping/hiking trip to Poinsett State Park with Webelos from Pack 759 and 725. The purpose of the trip was to introduce the Webelos Scouts to the life of a Boy Scout. After arriving at Poinsett State Park in Sumter County, all the scouts donned backpacks containing all the gear necessary to survive for the weekend to include food and shelter. The scouts and their leaders hiked four miles to their campsite where they set up tents and received instruction on proper knife handling and fire building techniques. After spending the night, the Scouts hiked two more miles the next day before returning to Summerville. Preparation for the trip included the Boy Scouts conducting training with the Webelos Scouts on how to properly pack their backpacks with as little weight as possible but with all the necessities needed, like a sleeping bag, water, food, a tent, and clothing.
December 1st, the Scouts spent the weekend camping out at James Island County Park while enjoying the Holiday Festival of Lights. Besides enjoying the lights close up, the scouts worked on some orienteering skills to include practicing their compass skills and making useful gadgets with different lashings they learned how to tie. The scouts worked together to cook a variety of different recipes using cast iron Dutch Ovens. The best tasting recipes included a chicken bog and rosemary and garlic potatoes.
As the holidays approached, the scouts spent an evening Christmas caroling at The Village of Summerville Presbyterian Home where several scouts have relatives. Finally, the Troop decided to sponsor a needy family for the holidays and provided toys, gifts, and a full Christmas meal for the family.
As 2013 begins, the Troop is making preparations to receive 10 new scouts into the troop as the cross over from cub scout to boy scouts and they all start training for a 50 mile hike that they will complete next Christmas. As part of the hike, the Troop will be raising awareness and money for Bladder Cancer research. On January 19, 2013 Troop 2 lost one of their biggest supporters to the Troop, Beverly Justis, mother to Scoutmaster Glenn Justis and grandmother (and adopted grandmother) to all the boys. Beverly lost her battle to bladder cancer but the Troop hopes to help others by bringing awareness and much needed funds to the disease. Bladder Cancer is the 5th leading type of cancer yet receives very little support in terms of funding for awareness and research. Together with the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, Troop 2 hopes to make a difference in the lives of those suffering with this disease.
For more information on Boy Scout Troop 2 “The Deuce” or their efforts to combat Bladder Cancer, contact Scoutmaster Glenn Justis at thedeucebsa@yahoo.com.
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Cotter Smith/Troop Scribe
Posted: Tuesday, October 9, 2012 6:00 a.m.
UPDATED: Tuesday, October 9, 2012 2:36 p.m.
Boy Scout Troop 2 “The Deuce” chartered by Knightsville Baptist Church has had a very busy summer. In late May the Troop conducted a BBQ fundraiser in which they cooked and served over 300 meals and raised over $2,000 to support their activities.
On July 1st the Troop departed for summer camp at Camp Old Indian in the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina. During the week-long camp, the 13 scouts worked on a variety of merit badges from Leatherwork and Reptile Study to Swimming and First Aid. All and all, the boys earned 56 merit badges and 11 partial badges. The boys also hiked 6.5 miles up the mountain to a natural waterfall and took part in many camp activities along with over 300 scouts from all over the East Coast.
In August, the Troop spent a weekend camping aboard the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point. Along with touring the entire facility, the Troop took part in a Ghost Walk in downtown Charleston and conducted their very own ghost tour of the Yorktown in the late evening hours.
Finally, the Troop also conducted a campout at Givhans State Park where the boys planned and cooked all their meals, conducted swimming rescue drills in the Edisto River, and completed a nighttime land navigation course/scavenger hunt using a compass. Earlier that day they assisted their charter organization with a fund raiser to help build a nursery for the church.
Senior Patrol Leader Connor Eulo and the rest of the troop have already planned their fall activities which include Scout Night at The Citadel, a trip to the U.S. Whitewater Training Center in Charlotte, North Carolina and taking a group of Cub Scouts on a 6 mile hike and campout in Sumter County in November.
In between all of these activities the Troop is selling popcorn in September and October to support sending scouts to the 2013 National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia next summer and a 2014 Troop trip to the Grand Canyon.
If you want to know more about Troop 2, contact Scoutmaster Glenn Justis at thedeucebsa@yahoo.com.
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Cotter Smith, Troop Scribe
Posted: Friday, May 11, 2012 6:00 a.m.
UPDATED: Friday, May 11, 2012 6:13 a.m.
On April 28, Troop 2 – known as The Deuce – went canoeing on the Edisto River.
Troop 2, known as “The Deuce”, has been very busy since 11 Webelos joined the troop in February. The Troop, chartered through Knightsville Baptist Church, has been camping, canoeing, and also participated in an Honor Flight of WWII veterans.
The troop spent the weekend of March 16-18, camping at Santee State Park. The morning of March 17, the troop woke up, ate breakfast and learned how to use an ax, saw, and build a campfire. They also had a fire building challenge between the two patrols in the troop. After lunch they took a hike. Hiking for over three hours, they covered a total of 9.5 miles before returning to camp to cook dinner. During the weekend, the scouts planned and cooked all their own meals over the campfire.
Honoring WWII veterans was the order of the day on April 21, when the troop traveled to the Charleston Airport to welcome back home veterans from their visit to Washington DC to see the National WWII Memorial. The boys joined other scouts, ROTC units, military units, and others honoring “The Greatest Generation” for the sacrifices they made to protect the freedom we all enjoy. The boys waved American flags, clapped and cheered for over 15 minutes as each veteran made their way off the plane and through the airport concourse.
On Saturday, April 28, the troop went canoeing on the Edisto River. After a brief instruction about safety procedures, the troop paddled down the river, traveling from Mars Old Field Landing to Givhans State Park. After arriving at Givhans, the boys enjoyed a swim before returning to Knightsville Baptist Church to enjoy a hotdog cookout provided to them by parents and Troop Committee members.
Next up for the Troop is Scout Night at the Riverdogs baseball game, a BBQ fundraiser, and summer camp at Camp Old Indian in Traveler’s Rest. For more information on Troop 2 “The Deuce” email troop leaders at thedeucebsa@yahoo.com.
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Posted: Tuesday, March 6, 2012 6:00 a.m.
UPDATED: Tuesday, March 6, 2012 1:57 p.m.
On Saturday, Feb. 18, eleven Webelos Scouts joined Boy Scout Troop 2 “The Deuce” in a dramatic ceremony attended by 300 people. Prior to becoming official Boy Scouts the boys were awarded the highest rank in Cub Scouts, the Arrow of Light as they marked the end of a 5 year career in Cub Scouts. During the ceremony the scouts were escorted before the crowd by their parents and presented with the Arrow of Light Award and a handmade Indian arrow. Following the presentation, Senior Patrol Leader for Troop 2, Connor Eulo, called each boy’s name and they crossed over a bridge they helped to construct and were greeted by Eulo and two of his Patrol Leaders, Eric Brown and Garrett Saylor. Together the three Troop 2 Boy Scouts presented each boy with a custom made neckerchief and slide and attached green Boy Scout epaulets to their uniform.
After the ceremony, Knightsville Baptist Church, the Troop’s Chartering Organization, held a reception in their honor. In attendance were the new Boy Scouts and their families along with existing Boy Scouts and church members. During the reception a 40 minute picture slideshow depicting the boy’s journey over the last five years was shown to the audience.
Those boys earning the Arrow of Light and becoming new members of Troop 2 included William Edwards, Harmon Perry, William Kenney, Joe Justis, Cotter Smith, Tre’von Flood, Spencer Eulo, Trey Grubb, Josh Johnston, Jackson Sordillo, and Patrick Swain. The Troop is currently planning their next adventure, a canoeing trip/campout in March. Over the next seven months, the Troop is also planning a whitewater rafting trip to North Carolina, a Geocaching adventure, several service projects, multiple campouts and hikes to included a campout on the USS Yorktown and a week long summer camp at Camp Old Indian in Traveler’s Rest, SC.
Any boy who has completed the 5th grade or is at least 11 years old is eligible to join the Troop. For more information, contact Scoutmaster Glenn Justis at thedeucebsa@yahoo.com
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Scouts on the move
 Scouts from Cub Scout Pack 725, four Scouts from newly formed Boy Scout Troop 2 and adult leaders take a break during the recent “Webelos Outdoor Trek 2011.”
Sixteen Scouts from Cub Scout Pack 725 and their adult leaders gathered in the dark cool air at Knightsville Baptist Church to embark on a special trip in the early morning hours of Oct. 22.
For 12 of the 10 year-old Webelo Scouts, it would be the final test in their quest to achieve the highest rank in Cub Scouts, the Arrow of Light.
The remaining four scouts were all from newly-created Boy Scout Troop 2 “The Deuce,” chartered to Knightsville Baptist Church. It was their responsibility to challenge these young boys and introduce them to the life of a Boy Scout.
“Webelos Outdoor Trek 2011” was organized by Troop 2 Assistant Scoutmaster Rick Eulo and included a trip to Poinsett State Park in Sumter County. Once there, the boys donned 30-35 pound backpacks tents, sleeping gear, food, and even one gallon of water per boy. In short, they carried everything they would need to survive in the woods.
They began the seven-and-a-[half-mile hike to their eventual campsite, stopping on the way to enjoy the view and eat a quick lunch they brought with them on the trail. Almost five hours later, they arrived at their campsite and quickly unpacked their packs, set up their tents, and started cooking their dinner on stoves they carried in their packs.
After a well-earned rest that evening, they were awakened before dawn, cooked breakfast, and began re-packing their packs and cleaning up their campsite.
Following Scouting’s “Leave No Trace” policy, all trash was bagged and packed in their packs to be transported back with the Scouts. By 8:30 Sunday morning they were back on the trail, hiking two more miles back to their vehicles and returning back to Summerville.
Scoutmaster for Troop 2 Glenn Justis, an Eagle Scout, was impressed with the performance of the boys.
“When I mentioned to parents and fellow Scouters what these boys were in store for, many thought they were not prepared for such a challenge,” Justis said. “These boys proved them wrong.”
Through the efforts of Rick Eulo, the boys spent six weeks learning what to pack, how to pack it, and what to expect. The most important thing of all, a belief in themselves that they could take on this challenge.
On the hike back, the boys were already making plans for their next big adventure and planning to make this trip an annual rite of passage for Cub Scouts to achieve their Arrow of Light and make the transition from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.
For more information on Boy Scout Troop 2 “The Deuce” contact Scoutmaster Glenn Justis at thedeucebsa@yahoo.com.
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