CLARKSVILLE, IN (July 25, 2023) – The Town of Clarksville is taking new steps to help develop local teens into the next leaders of our small community. Many residents may not be aware that the Town took over as the Charter Organization for Boy Scouts of America’s Troop 4010 last year (known simply as Troop 10).
Troop 10 Scoutmaster Garry Nokes.
“Chartering organizations provide support for Scouting units in many ways,” said Troop 10 Scoutmaster Garry Nokes. “They formally approve that the adults who work with youth are the best leaders for the units’ members. They often provide other resources, such as meeting places and equipment storage. In essence, chartering organizations use the Scouting program to help them fulfill their own vision of supporting youth in the community.”
The Troop had previously been chartered by St. Anthony’s Church, but the Archdiocese of Indianapolis recently decided to end its program of allowing parishes to sponsor Scouting units due to the legal liability involved. With the Troop’s Charter coming to a close at St. Anthony’s, the Scouts needed to work to find a new Charter organization quickly. Fortunately for the Troop, they already had a relationship with the Town in Clarksville Fire Chief Brandon Skaggs, who was an Assistant Scoutmaster for the Troop. Skaggs and his son Garrett had been members of Troop 10 for several years.
“He (Skaggs) felt strongly that our mission closely coincided with that of the Town and that we could have a great partnership,” said Nokes. “Thanks to the formal approval given by the town, we now enjoy the best of both worlds; support by our former chartering organization at St. Anthony and support from the citizens of Clarksville.”
St. Anthony’s Church still serves as host for Troop 10’s meetings every Monday night from 7:00-8:30pm, but the Town of Clarksville is the Troop’s official Charter Organization. Nokes says the Troop does the best it can to return the blessing by performing service projects and other work for both organizations. Since being chartered by the Town, Troop 10 has completed several projects in the area including a Flag Retirement space at Town Hall’s Veterans Place Memorial, as well as a new fountain at the Falls of the Ohio State Park. Troop members often assist Town officials in the hosting of special events such as our Memorial Day ceremony and Veterans Day celebrations. The next project in the works is being planned by Life Scout Gabe Ellnor, who plans to update the flag poles at Clarksville’s Lewis and Clark Park.
at Camp Crooked Creek (June 2023)
Troop 10 is hoping to capitalize on the new partnership with the Town by getting the word out about all of the wonderful activities and educational opportunities available with the Troop. Working with Town officials, the Troop plans to launch a new recruiting push across Town and within Clarksville Schools this fall.
“We are the only Scouts BSA units within the town at this point so we would hope that families would be proud to call our units home as they do the town,” said Nokes. “Scouting offers a structured program of character and leadership development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.”
Troop 10 is made up two units: Scouts BSA Boy Troop 4010 (boys ages 11 through 17) and Scouts BSA Girl Troop 4010 (girls ages 11 through 17). Although the boys and girls Troops meet separately, they often hold joint events. Scouting programs are also available for younger children in the area. Cub Scout Pack 4048 is open to boys and girls from Kindergarten through fifth grade, with many of those scouts going on to join Troop 10 when they reach the minimum age requirement. Scholarships are also available to local families who would like their child to participate in Scouts, but may not be able to cover the costs associated with the program. Leaders say they try to make it clear that no child who wants to participate in Scouts will ever be turned away by Troop 10 due to lack of financial support.
“We see ourselves as Clarksville’s very own troop and we would hope that any family in this town would be happy placing their trust in us to deliver the Scouting program to them,” said Nokes.
To learn more about Troop 10 and how to get your child involved, email btscoutmaster@onmyhonor.info for more info. For Cub Scouts, email cubmaster@onmyhonor.info for more information on meeting dates/times. You can also learn more at www.Troop10.com.
