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Welcome to Troop 344
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Troop 344 operates in the
Falls District
of the
Occoneechee Council
of central North Carolina.
The troop was originally chartered in March of 1949.
The following fifty-plus years have generated many lasting memories for
hundreds of boys and parents. Over 80 Scouts have attained the rank of
Eagle Scout during this time. These young men have taken the values
and character development they learned to become good citizens in their
community, their state, and their country.
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Activities and Adventures
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Troop 344 plans an activity the second week of every month
during the calendar year. Our only exceptions to this occur
in a month there is a District or Council Activity.
Additionally, Troop 344 traditionally attends
summer camp the week of July 4th every year. In addition, a good number
of Troop 344 Scouts periodically attend provisional summer camp at
Camp Durant
as a group.
Through the years we have attended summer camp at
Raven Knob Scout Reservation
and
Camp Bud Schiele Scout Reservation
located in western North Carolina,
Camp Bonner
in Eastern North Carolina,
Goshen
which is located in the mountains of Virginia, as well as our own
Occoneechee Scout Reservations.
Troop 344 also travels to other camps, which include
Philmont Scout Ranch
in New Mexico &
SeaBase in Florida.
During the year, Troop 344 makes every effort to have the widest
possible variety of monthly adventures, while making
every attempt to keep trip expenses reasonable. We have been to
Kerr Lake, fishing on the North Carolina Coast, hiking in Uwharrie
National Forest, snow skiing in West Virginia, hiking Linville Gorge, canoeing at
Merchant's Millpond, caving in the Virginia Mountains, and
whitewater rafting just to name a few.
Troop 344 attempts to attend one "merit badge weekend" each year.
Over the past nine years the Troop has traveled to the
U.S Naval Academy
in Annapolis, Maryland, for their "Merit Badge Jamboree."
This is a wonderful opportunity for the young men
to earn merit badges to which they would not normally
be exposed.
Our annual visit to Annapolis is an excellent opportunity for
the boys to learn of the rich Naval History of the United States.
Troop 344 is fortunate to have our own "personal tour guide" at
The Academy in the person of one of our own Eagle Scouts - Tyson
Stahl. Tyson is our second Eagle Scout in recent history to
attend the Naval Academy, for his older brother, Hoot Stahl
also attended prior to becoming a Marine.
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In Service to Our Community
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In the spring of 1999, Troop 344 adopted Sawmill Creek,
located off Sawmill Road. The Troop visits the stream
periodically, armed with large orange trash bags, boots,
gloves, and tools with which to clean the stream.
We also serve at homeless kitchens; work at the Food Bank
of North Carolina, clean-up yards for the senior adult
members of Saint Mark's United Methodist, volunteer for Special Olympics and work at annual
fund-raising events held for Cancer Research.
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Every Scout Deserves a Trained Leader
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The majority of active Adult Scouters affiliated with
Troop 344 have completed some level of Adult Leader
Training. Our training ranges from Safe Swim Defense,
BSA Lifeguard Certification,
Rappelling Tower Certification,
Scoutmastership Fundamentals,
Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills,
Venturing Powderhorn
and Wood Badge Advanced Leader Training.
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Fund Raising
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We make every attempt at not over-burdening our Scouts
with fundraisers. However, it is necessary to
keep adequate funds in the Troop treasury and still be
reasonable with dues.
Troop 344 participates in the annual Occoneechee Council Popcorn
Sale. Periodically, Troop 344 sells hamburgers and hot dogs
in shopping centers as well as pet shows.
We are always looking for fundraising opportunities.
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