By Al Benson
New England Congregational Church in Aurora resumed as the event site an annual fundraiser for its historic Boy Scout Troop Sunday, March 6.
After Covid-19 canceled its 2021 pancake breakfast, Troop 3 at New England returned its popular moneymaker from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday in Friendship Hall. Following the Scout motto “Be prepared,” Scouts and leaders prepared pancakes with scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage, coffee and juice for about 100 patrons.
The breakfast featured homemade snacks for sale and raffles for a quilt and a Mike Ditka-signed Chicago Bears replica jersey. Proceeds will benefit Troop 3 programs.
Patrons included John McKee who commuted from Batavia to support the Scouts. A former Aurora resident and business executive, McKee said he was an active Troop 3 Scout from 1948 to 1952. He went on to become a Scout leader and serves as a board member emeritus at Aurora University.
Founded in 1910 by New England, Troop 3 is known as the Bob’s Hill Troop. With 55 boys and 50 adult leaders, the troop meets on Monday evenings in the Scout room at the church. The Troop’s meeting place was refurbished in the 1940’s and dedicated as Norton Hall, named after Charles H. Norton, a New England Sunday school teacher and first Troop 3 scoutmaster.
During Summer 1910, Norton formed Troop 3’s first patrol of boys from his Sunday school class. Formally recognized by BSA’s national office in September 1910, the troop’s first official charter was issued in 1914.
Monthly camping outings and special small-group meetings are part of the Scouting program at New England. Additionally, Troop 3 takes part in Snow Base High Adventure each February and plans a High Adventure for Scouts to attend each summer as well as Three Fires Council activities.