On Sunday, the Scouts and leaders of the new Boys Scouts Troop 8, Parryville, held a day of fun at the Parryville Vol. Fire Co., where awards were handed out and the new charter was officially presented.

The day also was also to give other boys in the area a chance to find out more about Boy Scouts and hopefully join the new troop.

The day also included First Aid demonstrations; a campfire with hot dogs, Dutch oven cobbler, and marshmallows; water guns; gaga ball; popcorn; and a basket raffle.

Last year, Boy Scout Troop 82 disbanded after nearly 80 years of service at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lehighton. Because of COVID-19, the church made the difficult decision to end the charter.

Theresa Chapman knew that there were Scouts who still wanted to be Scouts, and she needed to do something.

“We wanted to make sure the boys had a home,” Chapman said. “COVID made everything crazy. (Parryville Mayor) Tom Kobal was nice enough to ask the Parryville Fire Company for us to come here for a new home. We are very thankful that Parryville welcomed us.”

The Troop currently has four Scouts: Ashton Emrey, Zachary Zehner, Joe Handlovic, and Ryden Chapman.

During a ceremony in the fire hall, Teresa Chapman presented all four Scouts plus the leaders with a “Founder” patch as the first Scouts in Troop 8.

Ryden Chapman was awarded the Den Chief Service Award; was promoted to Scout 2nd class; and was awarded five merit badges: camping, fire safety, environmental science, weather and emergency preparedness.

Ryden is also working toward the rank of Eagle Scout.

Joe Handlovic was promoted to the rank of Scout.

Ed Kroboth presented compasses to Ryden and to Joe for helping move the Scouts’ property from Trinity Church to the Parryville Fire Co.

Kobal presented the new charter to Theresa Chapman and the members of Troop 8.

Troop 8 meets every Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Parryville Vol. Fire Company.

“We are looking for more boys,” Chapman added.

“When the boys reach the fifth grade, they can becomes Boy Scouts, so we take boys age 11 through 17. Once we have more boys and more adult volunteers, they can go camping, which is something they love to do.”

For more information, email parryvilletroop8@gmail.com or you can find Theresa Chapman on Facebook.