Boy Scout Troop 316 of Apex honored outgoing Scoutmaster Brandon Smith and welcomed a new scoutmaster, Dwight Jones, to lead the troop's 90-plus scouts during the troop's Summer Court of Honor Aug. 27. Smith, who joined Troop 316 in 2005, began serving as Scoutmaster in 2007 and helped triple Troop 316's size during his four years as its leader.

Also during Smith's tenure as Scoutmaster, Troop 316 earned the Quality Unit Award each year by meeting goals established for training, recruitment, retention, participation and advancement. Troop 316 scouts earned 812 merit badges and 256 rank advancements under his leadership, with nine of those scouts earning their Eagle rank during this time. Smith, whose son, Hunter, recently became an Eagle Scout, also earned his Wood Badge Beads and became a member of the Order of the Arrow during his time as Scoutmaster. He will remain an active leader with troop.

Troop 316's new Scoutmaster, Dwight Jones, is a member of the Order of the Arrow, a member of the Eagle Patrol of Wood Badge SR-894 and served as the Crew Advisor for Philmont Crew 628-F2 in 2011. He received the Distinguished Leadership Award two years ago, and is certified in Wilderness First Aid, CPR and other courses offered by the BSA. 

Troop 316 Honors 9/11
During his Scoutmaster Minute for Troop 316's Sept. 6 meeting, Jones talked to Troop 316's scouts about Sept. 11, 2001.

"On Sunday, as we return home from our trip, we will be stopping by a staffed fire department somewhere along our route," he told an attentive room of 80-plus scouts. "We are not going there for a tour or to look at the trucks, rather, to find the firemen who work there and say 'thank you.' We will thank them for the job they are doing, the bravery they demonstrate and the symbol they represent on this day, September 11th, 10 years later." 

And so, on Sept. 11, 2011, Troop 316 stopped at Apex Fire Department, Station 3 (near the intersection of N.C. 55 and Hunter Street) on their way home from a canoeing camping trip to say thank you to the fire men and women there for serving our community. This event made a memorable impression on the scouts.

"It was important for us to say thank you to the firefighters on Sept. 11, because so many of them gave up their lives to save others, even though they knew they couldn't save everyone," said Connor Shugg, a Troop 316 scout. "As we were about to leave, the firemen said, 'Thank you so much. We really appreciate you guys coming by.' It made us feel really good." 

Summer Court of Honor and Three More Eagle Scouts

Troop 316 Celebrated its summer Court of Honor Aug. 27, during which scouts were honored for earning 248 merit badges, 72 rank advancements and 135 special awards. Troop 316's scouts earned these badges, advancements and awards between February and August. 

Also, during the 2010-2011 scouting year, Troop 316 went on 17 camping trips and proudly welcomed three more Eagle Scouts to its ranks: Nicholas Pizzuro in March, Matt Dubois in June and Ben Klavon in September.

Troop 316's scouts and leaders also participate in community service projects throughout the year, including food drives and individual Eagle Scout projects. If you would like additional information about Troop 316, please contact Scoutmaster Dwight Jones atDJones7862@aol.com or Committee Chair Kurt Carlsen atkcarlsen@nc.rr.com. 

Photos taken by Dan Lang:

1. Dwight Jones, new Scoutmaster of Troop 316
2. Troop 316 Committee Chair Kurt Carlsen thanks former Scoutmaster Brandon Smith for his service.
3. Apex Fire Department Station 3 Firefighters, from left to right: David Cotton, Lauren Wallace and Kevin Smith.
4. Troop 316 Scouts recite the Scout Oath during the Summer Court of Honor.