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Becoming part of the team
Steve Keane (left to right), Jeff Saunders, his son Matt Saunders, and Scott Mason at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico last August. Matt, 15, is working on his Eagle Scout project and the three men are assistant scoutmasters with Troop 52 in Hinsdale.
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Updated: July 15, 2012 2:25PM
Scouting “gives the boys the opportunity to interact with so many great men,” said Susan Nedza of Hinsdale, who is chairman of the committee that approves Eagle Scout projects and has a 15-tear-old son in Boy Scout Troop 52. “All the dads bring something different.”
Some of the parents have fine management skills, others may excel at the outdoor adventures, and others may be good overseeing the boys as they earn merit badges.
Nedza praises Jeff Saunders for his patience, and former Scoutmaster Steve Keane for his long-term commitment to the troop.
“Year after year, (Keane, a father of five) has shepherded” the troop on many camping and outdoor adventures, such as backpacking out West, Nedza said. In July, Keane will lead the troop on a 10-day trip to northern Minnesota.
It’s a pretty big responsibility,” Nedza said.
And Keane put in the hours before the trips, helping the boys get in shape for the strenuous outing ahead
“There are so many activities now that are focused on individual performance,” Nedza said. Even in team sports like baseball, there are a lot of individual achievements. “Boy Scouts is a real team activity and the dads become a team.”
