Roger Bernier and Scott Goldberg talk about their Troop12 experiences.

00:00 All right, so we are celebrating this weekend, centennial anniversary for troop Twelve in Hollis in Hampshire, founded in 1921. So we're just going to talk a little bit about our experiences today. My name is Scott Goldberg. I was a scout from roughly 2008 to 2015. I ended up, I achieved Eagle and then remained active until I had to go away to school. But I'm also joined here by Roger Bernier.

00:31 And I was an assistant scoutmaster with a troop from 1996 to approximately 2001, but maintained my membership and activities until 2008.

00:45 Right. And you were saying you worked along with planning for big trips and things and for people listening, the troop would. Every couple years, usually every two years. Right. Would try and go on a bigger trip, because a lot of stuff we do is local to New England, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, at least from my experience. I think we've mostly stuck to those two occasionally breaking out into Vermont or Maine, but every couple years that we do some bigger trips. I know I went to Utah for a trip, and I went to Alaska, but you were telling me before we started this that you would help plan where we'd be staying for some of those, correct?

01:23 For some of those, yeah. I've been on eight of the big trips with the troop, and we started off, you know, we do our regular planning. We put together a list of locations we wanted to go to put it out to the boys to try to make, narrow down the selection, and then start coordinating those. I'm retired army, got some connections in different places. So one of the things that I was asked to help with is to see if we could possibly get into a military installation arm base, air force base for either at the beginning of our trip when we first landed, or towards the tail end of the trip before we left, just to kind of give us an opportunity to settle in, relax, chill out, clean our gear up, and get stuff ready to go home. I would contact the local bases, work at the public affairs office who were putting in connection with the scout leadership contingency at that facility, and they would arrange for either barracks accommodations or a camping area such as hill Air Force Base, stay at the family campground area where they had places for us to dine and set up camp, as well as stay undercover if we needed to. They also arranged for us to be fed over at the mess halls. Right.

02:46 The kids got a kick out. Yes. You know, I mean, I never would have had that experience without being in scouting and being involved with these kind of trips. But it's cool to see that like that in the inside, kind of that. A lot of people probably don't know, see just how it is. But members on the base, too, who are still, like, we're active. It wasn't just. I don't think when we went, it wasn't just the truth. Who was in there? I think there were some people who worked on the base or were enlisted, and they were part of it, too, so it's interesting to be in that environment.

03:19 Yeah. We would just blend in with, you know, I mean, it's a military installation, you know, and the service members would have to go and have chowder in the morning or in the evening, do our thing. But they took very good care of us.

03:32 Definitely.

03:33 I would like to keep a backstage presence to organize that people would hear and. Okay. So service got a little bit better by the time we got in there.

03:48 Right.

03:49 So it was fun. And I would do this for most of our trips. So we had a good variety of location. We stayed. One of the first trips that I arranged here was a Utah trip, and it was at the beginning of the trip because we did land, it was later in the evening, and we needed to kind of relax. So the place that we stayed at was a national guard base, but they were also on active summer camp duty.

04:12 Right.

04:12 It was an aviation base, and we were parked or camped out of the airfield. So there were helicopters taken off all times of the night.

04:19 Yeah.

04:20 So it baked her interesting night sleep, but the boys got a good kick out.

04:25 Yeah. If. If you lost sleep that night, it might have been one of those nights where it's okay or it's worth it, even.

04:30 Yeah.

04:31 You're gonna be tired the next day, but you don't get that experience often, do you? Did you have a favorite big trip or trip in particular that stands out or. I know sometimes it's hard to pick for me, for big trips. Luckily, I only had the two.

04:47 Each trip brought itself different adventures. Now, pieces of the trips that we'll never forget, no matter how long we are away from it. My favorite, if I were to have to pick one, would probably be my second Utah trip.

05:08 Okay.

05:09 Like I said, they're all great. I've got favorite pieces of every.

05:12 Right. Yeah.

05:13 But the second Utah trip that we did was over to Escalante Zion, Escalante national parks, and we did some pretty interesting hikes in there. One of them, you know, like anything hiking in the desert, we got to make sure you bring it up water.

05:30 Right.

05:31 Okay. And we never knew where or when we were going to find opportunities to filter through and refill our campsite.

05:38 Right. And you don't want to find out too late that the spot you thought you could go to, was it able to be used or something?

05:46 Yeah. So we had left out one morning, don't remember the exact name of the hike, but we were hiking a dry riverbed, and according to the hiking directions that we got, there was a spot that when we got to it, there was a trail and a small skirmish up the hill to get to the, and then cross country across back to the cars. We started about 06:00 a.m. got to our spot location, started hiking in. By the time we had gotten to the location where we needed to scramble up and get out of there, we're staring at a 20 to 30 foot wall. Just came up like, yeah, this is not happening. We looked around, couldn't find it, picked up the map, and we saw, okay, well, this really, the riverbed goes all the way out down, but it added an extra six or 7 miles on our height. And now we're concerned about water by the time, I mean, we certainly discovered through that entire riverbed stopping every 30 minutes or so to catch up and, you know, replenish and do what we need to do. Got a little harrowing. Made sure that everything, we were on track. We weren't diverging anywhere else, but we made it out about 09:00 at night. Yeah, a couple of guys, Dave April, I think, John Dow, maybe one other, I think Tim Westburg, they were able to find a spot, and they went cross country. They made it to get to the cars to come and pick us up. Yeah, you would think by the time we saw that, vehicles coming over to us, you know, we won the Olympics or something.

07:20 Yeah.

07:23 It was, it was a very nice trip. But again, we have bits and pieces of trips of that type of stories from each trip.

07:31 Definitely.

07:31 We had to use our ingenuity to overcome some obstacles.

07:35 Right? Yeah, yeah, anticipate. But I know, it's funny, when you said when I was in Utah on a different trip, we had, I don't remember, I don't think at the time we were concerned about water, necessarily. I don't remember either exactly where it was, but I know it was, it was a loop hike or something. It was, I think, I want to say 7 miles. And we got to a point where we're probably less than a mile away, but we were at the top of a 20 foot drop, and they had, I think, a rope, but it didn't look like a well maintained or like anything official looked like someone might have tied a rope that they brought with them around it. And we had a group of 30, 40 scouts, and we knew that wasn't going to be okay. So if we had been able to get it past there, the cars were like less than a mile away. Instead, we had to walk 6 miles back and around because there was no way forward. And so that was, it ended up being fun. And afterwards, it was one of those funny, it was one of those things where in the moment it didn't feel that funny. But then a day or two later, we're all laughing about it now, Mister Lewis tried to see if, oh, can we scale this wall going sideways? And then he's halfway down, he's holding scouts with packs and no. So that was tough. But it's interesting to hear what crazy said that we have these different things from different trips, and you never really know as well as you can plantain. You still have to be prepared for things that might come up that you didn't plan for. Utah, for me, stood out too, because I know Alaska was incredible, but Utah was unlike anything I'd ever done before, whereas in Alaska a lot of it was similar. I thought some of the hiking that we would do out here, but I had never been to the desert or in canyons before, so that was the one that really stood out for me because I was very different than what we have here in New England. But I know that was one that really stuck out for me for all my trips, really. But then I know in Alaska it was really cool to be hiking on the glaciers, and I think that was one of our first things we did. Like, we landed, we got to where we were going, and then it's like, all right, we have to go for a hike today. And then a few hours later, you're on top of the glacier looking out, and it's. That was another. I haven't seen this before ever. Don't know if I will again unless I get back up there. But that was one that stood out.

10:12 One of the things that I loved about our troop. And it didn't matter what big trip, what year we went, we knew the leadership there would get us through any obstacles that came in.

10:21 Definitely.

10:22 I mean, there weren't very often anything.

10:24 That we couldn't handle right.

10:26 It was a challenge. We all worked together. There was no, no arguments, no one fighting. We're here for the better good of the boys. Yes, we love what we did. We love being there. I was very fortunate in my time with true twelve to watch about 36 boys make Eagle Scout.

10:45 That's awesome.

10:46 And it wasn't because we were an eagle factory push apart, because the leadership was mostly retired military or military service, anywhere from marine, navy, army, and all with different levels of experience. We took what we've learned through our years and careers to bring forth and help these boys advance, and we made it work for what they had.

11:08 Nothing with a gimme, definitely. Yeah. As someone who went through it, I never felt as if it was a gimme, but it was nice having the support and like you said, like being able to learn those skills and the things that we can put to use in order to achieve that. And it was really helpful to have that environment. And I know, like, after scouting, things I learned from being in troop twelve and being involved have, are still impacting my life at this point. And it's not only with scouting or camping related things. It'll be, things will come up at work or when I was in school, and it would always all of a sudden thinking, oh, well, I remember when I was in scouts, this kind of thing would be helpful. So have you found that? I'm sure, like you said, having that military background and being able to bring it here, was there anything from scouting that you thought changed or impacted you that you brought out of it?

12:02 Absolutely. I mean, I got my Eagle Scout in 76. My troop is troop one just celebrated their 100th anniversary eight years ago. So the history and what I learned from the leadership there and the boys there, one was working together, collaborating, doing what we need to do to get a job done right. There wasn't a me me mentality that there is today in a lot of organizations. We were there for the greater good. I went right from there into the military, 20 years later, out of the military, back into the Boy Scout program. So what I learned from the scouting, you know, learning how to march in parades, learning how to do my left turn, right turn, attention. When I got the basic training, you know, it accelerated. I already had the discipline I needed to succeed.

13:02 Right. Yeah, I know. One of the things I like or that I have taken away from a lot is when you are a leader, I know the leaders who I have found to be good or effective are the ones who are also in there with you doing the things. And so I think that's something I try to carry forward when I'm doing something scouting related or at work or something, I know I respond better to the ones who are involved with it, who aren't just saying, you go do this, I'm going to sit here. No, wait till you're done, and then I'll give you your next task at the one to work in it with you. And now it's something I definitely picked up from scouting. And having talked about the different things you might run into on a trail or an extra didn't anticipate, I think it also helped build that kind of self reliance, but then that also that ability to adapt and kind of problem solve, because you might not know what you run into until you're in it, and then it's just, what do you do now? Like, you have to use what you know for this new thing that he didn't plan on, he didn't anticipate. And even though for work, I work at the University of South Carolina, I don't often run into trails where I'm concerned about running out of water. But I know I have situations all the time where we're planning, we're planning, we're planning. We got this all set up, and then something happens that suddenly changed the whole landscape. And then it's like, all right, we need to change something today, right now. Go. And so I think Scouting has helped me in that sense, too, just to be able to try to analyze and use what you have available and figure out how to get through that problem or whatever it might be.

14:36 I think I was in a pretty unique position when I was here. I didn't have any kids in scouting. I wasn't married. I was the cool singles. Since the scout mass relayed a little bit more, got a little more trouble with problems, we made it funny because it made them open up to me a lot more. They could talk to me about different things. So for me, what I took out of this group is just how amazing these kids are already, and just a little bit of guidance just to push them in the right direction, which is amazing, just to watch them succeed. And the lovely conversations that I've had.

15:14 With some of the boys, definitely, I think that was something I liked, too, a lot, was that you were treated with that maturity and respect. I know for something people, kids are doing one thing, adults are doing one thing, but in scouts, it really seemed to blend. And, of course, when it needed to be, you knew there was, the adult leaders were the primary. They were the ones in charge and take their lead and everything thing, but it was cool. Like you said, you'd be talking with those guys, talking with the leaders, and I know, like, when I was doing it, we would have. A lot of scouts would be like, when we're on a campsite, we've been playing games together, doing whatever, but then I started noticing like, wait, the adult is playing cribbage. I know how to play cribbage. And so then all of a sudden it's me, ten years old, playing against Mister Coulter in cribbage. I lost, I'm sure, immediately, but it was cool to be able to interact like that, but then still to like have those relationships now. So I know after I finished high school, I went away to South Carolina for a few years where I went to school and worked and lived, but then to come back to Hollis now and move back home, and the people who I'm talking to, the people who I'm engaging with and active with, are the ones who I knew from scavenging, so which is cool to see, and then just how it extends that. So I know you're talking about the relationship with the leaders. I know a lot of people who like, I have a lot of good friends, but their parents I don't really have a relationship with because I knew them from school. That's where I would see them and hang out after. But with scouting, I know, like when I've been through things where I know my scoutmaster for the majority of my time maybe was Mister St. Miller, and then he ended up helping me out college recommendations and getting ready for things like that. And when I came back into town and I had my accident, he was coming by and so it was cool to have that relationship. And a lot of that got established in scouting. Some of it started in Cub Scouts, but I think Boy Scouting and troop twelve is really what kind of solidified it. But that's, that's been a really great thing. It's cool. I think it's interesting too, to talk to. I know when I was at school I found out, like, my roommate was also an Eagle scout. One of our frenchmen down the hall was invoiced scouts too, and it was interesting to hear like what troops at Charleston were doing. And one of my friends recently, I didn't find out until like a week ago that he was a scout in Philly growing up. And so then it's interesting to hear what the different troops from different areas are doing. And I really liked true twelve's approach. I thought we had a good variety, but I really liked that camping and hiking, which primary focus, which makes sense, of course, being in New England, especially to being in a rural town, but versus someone who grew up in Philadelphia and their troop looked a lot different than ours did. So I think I was a big fan of that, too.

18:13 I grew up in a car camping troop. When I got troops. Well, it was a backpack troop.

18:18 Yeah.

18:18 I'll take backpacking any day over the car camping is fine, but it's certainly not the same as getting out in the wilderness. The adventures we've been on, the sites we've seen, the camaraderie we've built.

18:29 Yeah, yeah. I had a mix. I was a fan of the car camping. Some of the backpacking was fun, and I definitely. I appreciated the, like you said, the things you get out of it, the camaraderie sometimes the challenge of it, and then being able to get some of those areas that you can't really car camp at because there's nothing a place to park at, so you have to walk in anyway. And I know that's helped me, too. Like, in the future, I have plans that I want to. I know I want to go hiking in Greece. That's not the place I saw where I want to go. It's like, oh, you have to backpack it. There's no other way. Well, good thing that I was in a backpacking troop, so I won't be coming into this, like, blind, not knowing what to do.

19:15 I live down in Georgia, and I'm probably 30 minutes from the beginning of the appalachian trail.

19:21 Yeah.

19:21 You know, and I go to that park a lot, and we've done some two hikes and haven't quite made it to the beginning of it yet, you know, but my son's old enough now. We can go and do that one day. Just take a nice overnight hike up there.

19:36 Definitely. Yeah, that's. That's a cool thing to connect with people. I think a few troop members that I know of have done the at, and I know some will break it up, but that's a cool thing to be able to be like, oh, Miss guy, you're like, oh, have you done such and such trail or this or that? So it's an interesting, like, I don't want to say icebreaker, but it's a good. It's a good connection point, I think scouting overall, is there anything else you'd want to tell us about troop twelve or.

20:08 I.

20:08 Your experience? I know I have an overall very positive experience, and I absolutely hope when I fit someday that they will be involved somehow in scouting. I would definitely be encouraging them to do it. You said your Sunday, so is there anything else that you'd want to share or anything that stands out to you?

20:30 I would just encourage anyone who's considering scouting in the Hollis national area to come and take a look at true twelve, the way they operate.

20:38 Yeah.

20:38 Before making any decisions. The leadership here throughout the years has not changed. You know, we have a system here, a curriculum that works right. Is a voice run troop. We'd like to encourage that. This is how they learn leadership skills.

20:55 Right.

20:56 By all means, war three ranks, but take your time and enjoy it. Take a step back, look at what you're doing, what you're accomplishing. Don't rush through.

21:05 Right. Don't just check the box off and be done with it.

21:09 Managing time between school, between part time job, between girls and scouting.

21:13 Yeah.

21:14 You know, it is an important level. And right there, an Eagle scout, even if you don't make it that journey along the way, right?

21:23 Absolutely.

21:24 Yeah. You should be saying whatever you learn between now and first best guy, you've learned everything you need to know to get by and survival skills. And that is so true. Everything above that is going to be career oriented goals. You know, try different things, learn, see what you like and then pursue that. You know, I look back some of the galls that I went through and they started with America and turned that into the career. They're traveling the world.

21:47 Right.

21:47 As a photojournalist, you know.

21:49 Yeah. It's just because they did the photographer badge.

21:52 Yeah.

21:52 And then to get it started.

21:54 But I wish anybody who comes in and joins truth swell the best and not even wanting to experience, to work through, listen and learn.

22:06 Absolutely. Thank you very much. I think Churchill, like you said, I think it stands out and I know each troop will have their own thing to offer, but like you said, the leadership is astounding. And I, even as leaders, my individual leaders might come and go. The leadership style and like you said, the boy run troop aspect of it I thought has persisted through my time at least. And like you said, that's a great thing. I would definitely encourage people to check out troop twelve specifically or it may be someone listening in California, find their own local for twelve or that equivalent.

22:46 Absolutely. Thank you. Cool.

22:55 Excellent. Would like a.