PALMER – Boy Scout Troop 164 is hosting their “Empties are Full of Opportunities” Bottle and Can Drive on June 11 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the parking lot of Divine Mercy Parish on Main Street in Three Rivers. All bottles and cans with a five-cent Massachusetts deposit will be accepted.

The youth members of Troop 164 will collect, count, sort and bag the bottles and cans before bringing them to a redemption center in Springfield.

“This is a fundraiser that the youth members will be able to earn money toward scouting expenses, the biggest one is summer camp,” said Jennifer Traugh, committee chairperson.

The troop hosted a bottle and can drive back in April, which Traugh said was very successful. They are now looking at hosting these events on an alternating monthly schedule.

“It’s a great way for them to chip away at that cost so their families don’t have to pay quite so much,” said Traugh.

In the fall, the Boy Scouts have a national fundraiser where they sell popcorn to friends, family and the community. Traugh said other fundraisers and activities throughout the year are decided upon by the youth members.

“So at some point this summer you may see them out doing a car wash, if the youth decide that’s what they want to do,” she said.
Troop 164 currently has 22 members. They gained a total of three new members in the month of May.

“That’s always exciting when we have new kids come and check us out and they fall in love with it and join,” said Traugh.

They continue to welcome new members at all times of the year, she said. Youth members must be in Grade 5 and at least 10 ½ years old to join and can stay in the program until they turn 18.

“Whenever they are ready to start learning about the outdoors, leadership, citizenship and getting into scout activities… any time, any month of the year, any day,” said Traugh.

Traugh said that during summer camp the youth members learn about cooking, pioneering and life-saving, which includes first aid and emergency preparedness. They participate in water activities, hiking, rock climbing and shooting sports where they learn about proper and safe handling of rifles, shotguns, bows and arrows.

“Youth who go to summer camp stay in the program longer and they get more enjoyment and benefit out of it. That is important because Boy Scouts of America is helping to take youth and make them into the leaders of tomorrow. We’re teaching them important life skills, outdoor skills, teamwork, leadership, citizenship and personal fitness both in your body and in your mind, which are really what the future is going to be built on,” said Traugh.

She encouraged residents to support the troop in this bottle and can drive to help this continue.

“We are really giving them the basic skills: Taking care of yourself and taking care of others,” she said.

Those interested in joining or learning more about Troop 164 are able to contact them through their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Troop164Palmer, email troop164bulldogs@gmail.com or contact Scout Master William Mullens at 478-8780.