The Boy Scouts of Troop 4173 from Guntersville stayed busy this year doing volunteer work for the community. They also worked hard to improve their individual ranks, represent the troop and continue to expand their scouting experiences.

The boys and their leaders spent many hours cutting, hauling and clearing debris after the tornadoes wreaked havoc on the community in April. They older scouts that had been trained were allowed to use chainsaws to help clear the debris. Younger scouts worked to haul away the chopped limbs and even used axes to do their chopping.

Summertime means a chance to relax for many kids, but the scouts spent much of their summer working to advance in rank. Camp Comer, located in Mentone, Alabama, provides a wide range of learning opportunities for the scouts and also activities that involve climbing, hiking, and other adventure sports.

Troop 4173 stood out from the crowd this year by earning honors for Cleanest Camp and also Spirit Award. Each scout earned individual merit badges and some of the scouts managed to earn up to seven merit badges - all in one week.

Meetings are held by the troop in the building that was originally part of the public pool on the location where the Guntersville Library now sits. The scouts have put in many hours to make the most of the current location but would love to be in a position to build a new facility that could house the scouts, venture crews and cub scouts all on the same site.

This active group of young people continues to make the best use of their time and energy. Whether they are working on an Eagle Scout project for a fellow scout, helping out neighbors with storm clean up, or taking a hike along many of the amazing trails around the area, these scouts get it done.

Get more information about your local scout organizations by contacting the Greater Alabama Council at www.1BSA.org or calling 1-888-490-4955.