Boy Scouts Troop 397 in Coral Springs has done better than most other troops in the region, if awards and recognition are the yardsticks for success.
David Chen, scoutmaster of the troop, however, does not look at it that way.
“We expect our troops to do a good job every day,” Chen said. “In 2008, we logged more than 1,100 community hours. Those are hours contributed by the boys alone. The numbers would be much higher if we take into account the work the adults put in.”
The troup, the oldest continuously active troop in Coral Springs, has been around since 1976. “Our troop has been doing great things for the community. I think we have been successful in our efforts to train our boys to be good citizens. We teach them the value of service to others in the community.”
Chen, who was recently awarded the 2008 Scoutmaster of the Year award for the Lighthouse District of the South Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and other members of the troop were honored by the Coral Springs City Commission this week for their contributions to the community.