Scouting in the USA
The Boy Scouts of America has been offering a strong character building program since 1910 and is responsible for producing some of our nation's best and brightest leaders, scientists, and entrepreneurs.
Scouting Comes to Ascension Church
Ascension Catholic Church, valuing the physical, mental, and spiritual growth that young boys experience in the program, offered to be a chartered organization to a local troop. Boy Scout Troop 373 was started in 1963 and has continued to meet at Ascension ever since.
Under the strong leadership of parents, parishioners, and scouting enthusiasts, Troop 373 has helped over 101 young men and 3 young women reach the rank of Eagle Scout, the pinnacle of the Boy Scout program. Troop 373 has always been and remains one of the most active troops in our area both in terms of activities and advancement.
Conversion to Family Scouting
In 2018, the Boy Scouts of America announced the Boy Scout program would be changing its name to Scouts BSA and transition from a single gender program to a family scouting program. New all-girl troops could be formed or existing troops, with approval from their charter organization, could choose to be a linked troop. Linked troops would share a committee and have an all-boy troop and an all-girl troop.
Discussion within Troop 373 about the program changes were positive from the very beginning. On November 25, 2018, the troop committee voted unanimously to look into starting a linked troop with the addition of an all-girl troop. The all-girl troop would be designated as Troop 4373. Father Tobin was also supportive of the idea and offered a positive letter of recommendation from the National Catholic Committee on Scouting.
Change in Charter Organization
In 2022, all troops and packs chartered by the Catholic Church were informed that the Diocese of Orlando and Bishop Noonan had disbanded their Council for Scouting and would be severing ties with the Boy Scouts of America. Troops 373 and 4373 along with Pack 373 convened a committee to either find another local charter organization or create a limited liability company (LLC) to act as their charter organization. The committee voted to start a new LLC so the scouting program could remain at Ascension Catholic Church and have the stability needed to support our scouts.
On October 12, 2022, Scout Space, Inc. was officially regognized by the State of Florida as a not-for-profit corporation and officially took over as charter organization for both Troops and the Cub Scout Pack. We continue to proudly support Ascension Catholic Church and their ministries.
The Future of Troop 373
Starting an all-girl troop while maintaining our strong all-boy troop at Ascension Catholic Church is both challenging and exciting! Although there will be growing pains, the leadership of Troops 373 and 4373 is prepared to address any concerns that may arise. Several committee members and scout leaders have been with the troop for over a decade and have successfully negotiated many issues associated with a youth ministry. We fully ebrace family scouting and look forward to guiding our youth through the Scouts BSA program.
Get Involved!
For those of you who were scouts, parents of scouts, or past scout leaders, we encourage you to take a few minutes to read through the information on this site and get familiar with the changes being implemented. The best way for you to help grow the scout program at Ascension is to become an informed advocate for Scouts BSA. Encourage ALL of your children, grandchildren, and neighbors (both male and female) to take a serious look at the Scouts BSA program. Invite them to attend at least one troop meeting and one outdoor activity with their freinds. Help them replace texting and video games with a lifetime of experiences some can only get through scouting.
Most importantly, support our scouts and scouting programs in the community. Be an anvocate of scouting in your social circles. Replace rumors with facts. Promote the strong character building qualities that scouting instills in our youth. As history shows, these kids will be the leaders of tomorrow.