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2023 Year in Review – Eagle Scouts

In 2023, Troop 6 continued to build upon our rich history in the West Chester Community with 5 Scouts achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Collin Krasnai, Jack Messaros, Jimmy Blair, Branton Pratt, and Harry McAnulla have earned the rank of Eagle Scout and we are so proud of them. Troop 6 has 229 Scouts who have achieved the rank of Eagle in the last 100 years.

Troop 6 Eagle Projects can be experienced all over chester county. Eagle projects create positive impact on their communities and teach the scouts leadership skills that will last a lifetime. Each pin on the map represents a recent Troop 6 Eagle Project in the Community.

2023 Troop 6 Eagle Projects: Oakland Friends Cemetery was the recipient of two Eagle Projects this year. The first project focused on improving the usability and look of the cemetery by building and installing heavy duty long-lasting benches. The second project focused on digitizing the 100 year old cemetery record book and logging/documenting each of the grave sites in a database. Brandywine Red Clay Alliance has been a site of several past Troop 6 Eagle Projects and 2023 continued that trend. The Eagle Scout project focused on building and installing Duck Boxes to assist ducklings in the safe hatching process. Mount Bradford Reserve received an upgrade with a Scout Project focused on building and installing benches strategically located on the reserve. Whether visitors are playing Disc Golf or just taking in the wonders of nature, they’ll be able to take a comfortable break because of this project. The final Scout Project completed in 2023 involved restoring and installing signs at the entrance of the Bala Farms neighborhood. Not only did this project benefit the overall look of the neighborhood entrance for all of the residents and visitors but the well lit and readable signs allow for drivers to safely identify the neighborhood in the dark.

2023 Eagles Scouts

Fred Pratt

Fred works as the Chief Client Partner at Radancy. He helps world leading organizations build relationships with candidates and employees to recruit and retain top talent. Fred currently serves as the Scoutmaster for Troop 6.

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United States Naval Academy – Scout Day Camporee 2021

In November of 2021, Troop 6 attended the USNA Scout Day Camporee at Camp Barrett in Annapolis, MD. Our troop had the privilege to not only attend the Camporee but also to tour the United States Naval Academy with a Cadet and catch the Navy Football team play Eastern Carolina University.

November, 2021 A part of Troop 6, Chester County Council: Branton Pratt, Mac Oehler, Jack Masseros, Colin O’Brien, Jimmy Blair take part in the USNA Scout Day Camporee

There are many components to making a BSA Troop thrive. One of the most critical, and rewarding, is adult participation. People talk about how this time goes so fast in their young lives, and it is so true. Believe me, the Scouts know it too.

I volunteered to take the Scouts to the two day 2021 USNA Scout Day Camporee. In all, over 4000 Scouts and adult leaders attended this Camporee which included the Naval Academy Midshipmen v. Eastern Carolina University Football game, and a flyover by Blue Angels: one of my sons “top three highlights” of the trip.

The drive down, I expected to hear normal teenage conversations and was prepared to remain silent and just listen. To my total and complete surprise, the conversation was adult, reflective, funny and at times serious about their future career thoughts. They were excited about this outing even if only a small number of the Scouts attended. Upon arrival, I was amazed at how efficient they were in setting up camp. Once they finished, there were swings at the campsite where they continued their banter.

The next day started with “breakfast” by the Elks. I use quotes as my only requirement was hot coffee. The Scouts had danishes and cereal.

Then Ethan Gamble, Plebe at the Academy and an Eagle Scout himself, took us on a two hour tour of the Academy. Some of the highlights being: John Paul Jones crypt; Vice Admiral Stockdale’s Statue and triumph of his POW ordeal; and the markers of where the speed of light was first measured.

While the boys voted unanimously to end the trip an evening early due to the extreme cold, the trip was one they will not forget! No matter how prepared you are, 27° temperatures is not something to take lightly or can be called “fun”. In time, however, they will remember their tour of the Naval Academy, seeing John Paul Jones crypt below the Chapel, the Midshipmen parading onto the field, the Blue Angel Flyover, the NAVY v ECU football game and, yes, the frigid cold they had to contend with. All in 24 hours!

John Oehler
John Oehler

John is the Director of Underwriting (Specialty Lines) at Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited. John serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 6.

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Court of Honor – Fall 2021

Troop 6 conducted our Fall 2021 Court of Honor on 10/25 at the beautiful new Scout facility – “PARC” – Program Activity Resource Campus in Exton, PA.

Troop 6 troop holds a court of honor twice a year. This is a formal recognition with families, friends, and the public in attendance. All Scouts who have moved up to any rank except Eagle Scout, or who have earned merit badges since the last court of honor, will be recognized.

Court of Honor Opening

Troop 6 Fall Court of Honor: On 10/25, at the beautiful new Scout Program Activity Resource Campus (PARC) in Exton, PA, Troop 6 celebrated our Fall Court of Honor. Family, friends, and fellow scouts were in attendance to witness the Scouts achievements of Rank Advancement, Merit Badge Awards, and highlights from some of some of the community service projects and trips this year. In total 7 Scouts received rank advancement and 53 Merit Badges were awarded in areas such as Animation, Athletics, Crime Prevention, Swimming, Shotgun Shooting, Emergency Preparedness, and more . Prior to the meeting, Troop 6 voted in the next Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), Patrol Leaders, Troop Guide, Scribe, Quartermaster and more. Two distinguished Scouts earned the highest rank in Scouting – Eagle Scout. That momentous achievement will be celebrated in a special Eagle Scout Court of Honor in the future. Congratulations to all the Scouts for persevering thru the pandemic and continuing to focus on Scouting. A huge thank you to all the parents and adult leaders that help these Scouts achieve their goals.

  • Court of Honor Service Project Talk
    Court of Honor Service Project Talk
  • Court of Honor Swearing In
    Court of Honor Swearing In
  • Leadership Position Change
    Leadership Position Change

Fred Pratt
Fred Pratt

Fred is the Chief Client Partner at Radancy. He helps the world leading organizations build relationships with candidates and employees to recruit and retain top talent. Fred serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 6.

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Troop 6 Color Guard

Troop 6 Color Guard attended the Chester County Council, BSA’s 2021 Distinguished Citizen Award & VISTA Leadership Megastars Event on September 14th, 2021

Troop 6 Color Guard with Ed Herr, Chairman & CEO of Herr Foods, who was one of the 12 Megastars that were honored at the Chester County Council, BSA’s 2021 Distinguished Citizen Award & VISTA Leadership Megastars on September 14, 2021.

Troop 6 Color Guard – Photos by David DeBalko

More about this event: VISTA Today has joined forces with the Chester County Council, Boy Scouts of America to launch VISTA Leadership Megastars, a new initiative that will recognize 12 leaders who are shaping Chester County’s future through their character, service, vision, courage, passion, and humility.

Through Scouting, youth develop leadership and citizenship skills that influence their lives as adults. Scouting offers programs and activities that allow youth to try new things, provide service to others, build self-confidence, and reinforce ethical standards, preparing them for lives of leadership and helping to develop life-long habits of service to our community.

VISTA Leadership Megastars embody the 12 principles of the Scout Law:

  • Trustworthy
  • Courteous
  • Thrifty
  • Loyal
  • Kind
  • Brave
  • Helpful
  • Obedient
  • Clean
  • Friendly
  • Cheerful
  • Reverent

A committee evaluated the nominations and select the VISTA Leadership Megastars based on the following criteria:

  • Leadership (public profile, reputation)
  • Business success (financial results, career milestones)
  • Community involvement (volunteer work, advocacy)
  • Influence (impact on their community, company, industry, or on Chester County’s overall quality of place)

In addition to the VISTA Leadership Megastars, the Chester County Council, BSA honored one individual with its Distinguished Citizen Award. This award goes to someone who has wide influence in the professional community and who has provided significant and enduring contributions to society.

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Philmont Summer 2021

Philmont Scout Ranch, the Boy Scouts of America’s premier High Adventure™ base, challenges Scouts and Venturers with more than 214 square miles of rugged northern New Mexico wilderness. Backpacking treks, horseback cavalcades, and training and service programs offer young people many ways to experience this legendary country. Troop 6 Scouts took on the adventure of Philmont in the Summer of 2021 and made the recap video below. Check it out!