Local Scoutmaster celebrates 50 years

The Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI)
February 10, 2010
Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

This year, Boy Scouts of America celebrates its 100th anniversary, for a century of brining to boys all over the country a sense of participation and achievement at a time of critical development.  Local Scoutmaster Tim Conway has been doing the same for half that time the Boy Scouts have been in existence, and considering the level of commitment, he still enjoys giving Thorp Boy Scouts from Troop 27 say it’s time for a party.
 
Conway joined Boy Scouts in 1966, at the tender age of 11.  He was then living in Racine, Wisconsin, and chose to join the nationally recognized boys’ organization for his love of camping.  Tim attained the rank of Eagle Scout by age 15, with President Richard Nixon signing his recognition. Back then, there were no international trips on sailing ships to draw interest, fancy clothes covered with scout insignia, no rip-stop waterproof tents to protect from the weather; there was simply the fun generated by a group of boys out for a good time that happened to include a lot of life education.
 
Thanks to Conway, the fun and education still holds true today for Troop 27. Boys are challenged to reach for their potential.  While some troops raise money by ordering pre-made goods to sell door to door. Tim takes his group out in the woods to cut pine boughs every year in October so that by December, the scouts are gathering in his basement to hand-make close to 200 Christmas Wreaths for sale around the area.  Helping the boys complete such a project from start to finish is very satisfying for Tim, let alone for the many scouts he has served over the years.
 
Conway became a scout leader early on, at the age of 18.  His personal inspiration was his own Order of the Arrow lodge chief.  “He made being a Scout cool,” Tim explained.  “He was young and made sure Scouting was always fun.”  Tim remembers the leader amazing the boys with magic tricks while sitting around the campfire.
 
Campfire traditions continue today.  Conway subtly encourages the continuation of simple fun and life skills education for Troop 27, for which he has served as Scoutmaster since 1986.  Camping trips always include camaraderie around the campfire and a group decision about what to make for supper in the Dutch oven.  Boys rally for who gets to ride with Tim to any event, knowing that the laughter will be constant as he leads them in bawdy Irish ballads. The Scouts learn at every step: from construction to disaster preparedness, first aid to plant identification, citizenship to swimming.
 
Because of the Boy Scouts, Tim Conway has backpacked 50 miles across a national park and most recently as a crew member on a week-long sailing trip in the Bahamas.  But, he has gained his greatest satisfaction from something simple:  “It’s most satisfying for me when we can plan a trip and everything works out, nobody gets hurt and every Scout returns home safe and saying that they had lots of fun.”
 
It’s been 50 years, and many less hardy Scoutmasters would feel it’s time to turn in the pup tent and retire to a life of free weekend and peaceful quietude.  Not Conway.  Now in his late 50’s he’s still raring to go.  “Scouting teaches discipline,” he says.  “It gives boys an opportunity to do things and meet people they’d never get to meet otherwise.”  Scoutmaster Conway still wants to help Thorp Boys Scouts follow along that path and find success.
 
Thorp Boy Scout 27 will be honoring their Scoutmaster on Saturday, February 20, at the Thorp Legion Hall when they celebrate Scoutings’ 100th years’ anniversary.  They encourage past Scouts, friends, and family to join them in honoring the man who has led Thorp Boy Scouts for the past 24 years and has been a scout himself for the past 50.  Honors begin at the Thorp Legion Hall at 2:30 p.m., with a social hour and dinner to follow.  More information and tickets are available by contacting scout parent Diane Sather at 715-669-5704.