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What
do American business, electronics, chemistry, fire safety, space exploration,
helicopters, tents and 216 boys have in common? It's Camp Sikorsky
. DepScouts
set up tents on the front lawn of the Sikorsky Stratford
The front lawn of the Sikorsky Stratford facility was transformed into a
campground October 5-7 with scouts and troop leaders from across southwestern
Connecticut.ation.
They all took part in the first-ever Camp Sikorsky for the Housatonic and
Connecticut Yankee Councils Boy Scouts of America. Early Friday night the Scouts
pitched tents and set up camp. Each troop selected two First Class Scouts, ages
14 and older, to attend.
"This is a good cause to support the kids. And the tents look great from
the highway," said Keith Spence from Department 1100.They
all took part in the first-ever Camp Sikorsky for the Housatonic and Connecticut
Yankee Councils Boy Scouts of America. Early Friday night the Scouts
pitched tents and set up camp. Each troop selected two First Class Scouts, ages
14 and older, to attend.
"This is a good cause to support the kids. And the tents look great from
the highway," said Keith Spence from Department 1100.
The weekend program kicked off Friday evening with a welcome from Sikorsky
President Dean Borgman and Senior Vice President David Adler, followed by Doug
Krofina, Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Yankee Council.
Saturday evening the Scouts enjoyed a talk by US Army Lt. Col. William Shea, a
Black Hawk pilot, Eagle Scout and Scout leader from Mystic, Conn. "The
foundation of my career began while I was a Boy Scout," said Shea to the
group of Scouts. "I encourage each one of you to enjoy these years, and
strive for the goal of Eagle Scout."
The Boy Scouts spent Saturday attending Merit Badge sessions taught by Sikorsky
employees who volunteered for the event. The Scouts had the opportunity to earn
three merit badges in aviation, American business, electronics, computers, fire
safety and space exploration.
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Army Lt. Col. William Shea encourages scouts during spee |
the"It's
great the way people are here to observe first hand and encourage the
kids," said Ed Matusz who works in Machining and Transmission. Sikorsky
personnel turned conference rooms at Sikorsky into classrooms to teach the Merit
Badge courses. The badges are used to lead the boys to the prestigious Eagle
Scout award. On Sunday the Boy Scouts were given a tour of the facility.
"This is great. I wished Sikorsky offered this when my kids were
younger," said Sikorsky employee Gary Rapuano of Department 1100, as he
watched Scouts go off to their merit badge sessions.
Eurest
Dining Services also participated in the event. On the national level, Eurest is
a supporter of the Boy Scouts. For Camp Sikorsky, the staff in Stratford
prepared box lunches and hosted the boys in the West Dining Center for meals.
Scouting has played a role for many famous boys who went on to have notable
careers. President John F. Kennedy was the first president to be a Scout.
Earning
Eagle Scout has carries special significance. Few Boy Scouts earn the Eagle
Scout Rank, only about 4 percent. President Gerald R. Ford and Neil Armstrong,
the first man on the moon, and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld were all
Eagle Scouts.
Dave Adler, an assistant scoutmaster at Troop 963 Woodbridge and the parent of
an Eagle Scout and a Star Scout, believes the tie between Sikorsky and the Boy
Scouts is a good one.
"We at Sikorsky have always believed in and been involved with our
community," he said. "And what better organization is there that takes
young kids and turns them into great young men?"
The
leadership responsible for coordinating the event join together to
celebrate. From left Doug Krofina, Chief Executive Officer of the
Connecticut Yankee Council, Dorothy Heinrichs, Karen O'Donnell and David
Adler from Sikorsky
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a
Eagle Scout has carries special s Few Boy
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BSA
Troop 474