Milford Scouts host troop from Scotland
By Patricia A. Russell / Daily News Correspondent
Friday, October 14, 2005

MILFORD -- Boy Scouts welcomed their compatriots from Scotland with Hands Across the Sea last night, a celebration of what has become an informal relationship between Milford's Troop 2 Boy Scouts of America and the 3rd Inverness (Crown) Scout Group.
It started in 2000 when Scotland troop leader Stephen Maddison did a Web search of East Coast American Boy Scout troops.
"I wanted the Scouts to know that there are other Scouts outside the U.K. and this gives them a better awareness of global Scouting," he said.
After looking at Milford's Web site, he liked what he saw and contacted Ralph Ferraro, who was the leader of the local troop at the time. He suggested to Ferraro that the two troops "link up, swap badges and e-mail each other."
Eventually, the troops decided to meet and it was arranged that the Scotland troop would come to Milford in October 2001. Those plans were cancelled because of the terror attacks of events of Sept. 11, 2001.
Maddison then invited Troop 2 to Scotland in 2003. The local troop accepted the invitation and stayed in the homes of the Scottish troop members.
"Hospitality is an important part of this international Scouting," said Maddison, who said he wanted the Scouts to get a taste of what it is like to live in another Scout's home. "Living with another family is where a lot of learning can really take place."
"We always talk about the brotherhood of Scouting and this (international relationship) reinforces it," said Jack Armata, the current leader of Troop 2.
This year, the Milford troop extended an invitation to the Scottish troop.
Monday, five adult Scottish leaders and 13 Scouts ages 11 to 17 arrived and met their host families. While members of the Milford troop have been in school, the Scottish Scouts visited Mystic, Conn., and Boston and toured Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall and the Prudential Center.
A formal reception held last night included remarks from state Rep. Marie Parente, D-Milford. Parente said she was pleased to see the two Scout troops learning from each other.
"It is important more than ever that we hold our young people to high standards," said Parente, who presented the Scottish troop with a citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Following the benediction, the Scouts filled their plates and conversation flowed.
While the Scottish troop participates in many of the same programs as American Scouts do, there were some noticeable differences between the troops.
"We always wear kilts at formal occasions," said Henry Allen, adding that at regular meetings, Scouts wear navy blue trousers and green shirts.
Asked if he missed school, Allen explained that he and the other Scouts were "on holiday." School vacations in Scotland differ from those here, he noted.
Another difference: boys and girls are in the troop.
"I think that would probably be an improvement," said Dan Schettler, 16, of Milford, who said he liked the idea of having girls in the troop.
Elena Grant, 14, of Scotland, said she has been a Scout for seven years and said she was having a good time. She's looking forward to the troop's upcoming jaunt to New York City before they head back home and back to school.
While Scouts here become can become Eagle Scouts (Scouting's highest award), Scouts in Scotland earn Queen Scouting Awards, said Fraser Duff, 16, who is in his fifth year of high school (equivalent to the junior year of high school in American schools) at Millburn Academy in Inverness.
Ethan Messenger, 15, of Milford, said the relationship that's developed and grown between the troops gives the Scouts a chance to see each other's cultures.
The troop departs to Scotland on Wednesday.

James Frasier, 14, a 3rd Iverness (Crown) Scout Group member from Scotland, laughs with Milford Troop 2 Scout Dan Scheffer, 16, (not shown) during a dinner banquet yesterday. (John Thornton photo)Herald Interactive http://www.milforddailynews.com/loca...rticleid=79476

Sherry