Hopkinton’s Boy Scouts Troop 4 hosted a 50th anniversary kickoff celebration on Thursday night at St. John the Evangelist Parish.
As part of the event, Troop 4 founders Mike Boelsen and Mike Lareau and original Scout Tom Pratt were on hand to share stories about the early days of the troop, which was organized in 1972.
“They shared some stories and talked about how the troop came about,” said Kul Thapa, one of the current Troop 4 leaders. “They shared some old patches with us, which we will bring to all of our events this year, and we created a box with recent patches that we presented to Mike Boelson, who was very appreciative.”
Tom Pratt, Mike Lareau and Mike Boelsen hold a framed box of Troop 4 souvenirs. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO
Mike Lareau checks out the souvenirs. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO
Cupcakes are formed to look like an American flag. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO
Life Scout Thomas Donahue, who is a member of the Ice Dragon Patrol, speaks to the group. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO
Current Troop 4 leaders applaud a speaker. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO
It was so great to make connections with leaders and scouts that paved the way. Their stories resonates with the values core values of scouting that provide the foundation for lifelong skills, service to others, older scouts teaching younger ones and having fun in the outdoors. I ran into Mike Boelsen, the 1st Scoutmaster of Troop 4, picking up litter in Central Trail. He does that all over the town of Hopkinton. The lineage that is Troop 4 is proud to celebrate this event with these legendary leaders.