An Eagle Scout and former member of Troop 373 stands and talks about stories from his scouting days Saturday afternoon at the Troop 373 Boy Scout Lodge in Chehalis.
Bob Lund, the current Troop 373 Scout Master, stands and listens to stories Saturday afternoon during the Troop 373 Boy Scout 50th Anniversary Luncheon in Chehalis.
Brenda Lund stands in front of the Eagle Scout memorial board Saturday afternoon during the Troop 373 Boy Scout 50th Anniversary Luncheon in Chehalis.
Old photos from Troop 373's past, sit on a table Saturday afternoon during the Troop 373 Boy Scout 50th Anniversary Luncheon in Chehalis.
Brody Stidham points to dessert while standing in front of the Eagle Scout memorial board Saturday afternoon during the Troop 373 Boy Scout 50th Anniversary Luncheon in Chehalis.
A cake that reads " Welcome Eagle Scouts" sits on a table Saturday afternoon during the Troop 373 Boy Scout 50th Anniversary Luncheon in Chehalis.
Boy Scout Troop 373 in Chehalis celebrated its 50th anniversary Saturday with multiple Eagle Scouts and former members of the troop in attendance.
“This is the first time we’ve done anything like this,” said Bob Lund, the current Scoutmaster of the troop. “It’s nice to hear the stories some of these (former scouts) have to tell.”
Since the formation of the troop in 1968, 125 young men have finished as Eagle Scouts.
“It’s the highest rank achieved in boy scouting” said Jon Guyer, former scoutmaster and current volunteer for the troop. “Only 4 percent of scouts achieve the Eagle rank.”
Not only is Guyer a former scoutmaster, but he also achieved the rank of Eagle in his time with Troop 373.
“I earned my Eagle Scout through Troop 373 in 1995,” he said. “I have a lot of passion for this troop and I love being able to give back to it.”
His wife, Kendra, also noted what a big impact the troop has had on her life.
“My whole family has been a part of this troop,” she said. “It’s a wonderful thing to say you were a part of Troop 373 in Chehalis.”
The troop currently has 38 members, nine of which are Life Scouts working on obtaining their Eagle rank.
“It’s a time commitment,” said Jon Guyer. “These kids are 16 plus years old, they have all these other projects they’re already doing and they have to go above and beyond to complete this.”
Not all Boy Scout troops last forever, but the couple explained what the key components were that went into keeping Troop 373 united through the years.
“Adult volunteers and dedicated kids are what keeps this program alive,” Kendra Guyer said. “We have amazing support from our community.”
