The Longhorn Council of the Boy Scouts of America is continuing its efforts to form a new boy scout troop and a cub scout pack in Mineral Wells.

Council Membership District Executive Ryan Hecker, pictured second from left, and David Rico, representing the Council's Brazos Valley District within the West Service area, spoke to Rotary Club of Mineral Wells on Wednesday.

 

Hecker said there are currently four active boy scout groups in Palo Pinto County, each capped at 25 members. The Council has a total of 43 scouting units, including 18 cub scout packs, 18 boy scout troops, six co-adventure groups and one law enforcement explorer post, with a combined membership of 932 youth.

Sixteen scouts in the Longhorn Council earned their Eagle Scout badge in 2016, providing a combined 1,885 hours of community service.

Hecker has been working with Rev. Eric Douglas, pastor of First United Methodist Church, and the Mineral Wells ISD to establish a cub scout pack at the church. There has been one organizational meeting, and another is scheduled soon, though the date has not been set.

He said he has also begun talks with Rev. Brian Nierman to establish a new boy scout troop at First Christian Church.

They pointed out that scouting not only provides an array of opportunities for youth, but also for adults through volunteering to serve with those troops and packs.

One benefit, Hecker noted, is that members of the council are allowed to use for free anytime the facilities at Worth Ranch, the Council's official scout camp located just north of Palo Pinto. They and family members can go for a weekend camping outing, for instance, costing them just their food and gas there and back.

For more information about scouting and efforts to form the new local pack and troop, contact Hecker at 254-722-8101, or email ryan.hecker@scouting.org.

Also pictured above are Douglas, far right, and at far left club President Jimmy Walker.

Rotary Club of Mineral Wells meets every Wednesday at noon at Holiday Hills Country Club for lunch, socializing, updates on club projects and a program of interest.