August 4, 2025 Submitted by Jamee Downes
On Monday, June 16, Hingham Middle School was filled with pride and applause as Boy Scout Troop 4, under the seasoned leadership of Scoutmaster Mark Turnak, held its annual Court of Honor—an evening dedicated to celebrating the scouts’ many accomplishments over the past year.
Among the highlights of the night were twelve scouts advancing in rank, a significant milestone in their scouting journey. The evening’s highest honor went to Nick Anderson, who was officially recognized as Troop 4’s newest Eagle Scout—a prestigious achievement that represents years of dedication, leadership, and service.
Collectively, the troop earned over 70 merit badges, thanks in large part to their enthusiastic participation at Camp Squanto during the summer and their involvement in a Merit Badge University hosted in nearby Cohasset. These badges represent much more than participation—they require scouts to demonstrate mastery of new skills, contribute to their communities, and explore diverse interests ranging from aviation and photography to fishing and first aid.
Troop 4 remains deeply rooted in the Hingham community, exemplifying the Scout slogan of “Do a Good Turn Daily.” Over the past year, the troop organized fall yard cleanups, spearheaded a food drive benefiting the Hingham Food Pantry, and took part in a 10-hour first aid course hosted by a generous Hingham resident. They also completed the D.A.R.E. program with the Hingham Police Department, demonstrating their commitment to safety, responsibility, and citizenship.
Of course, no scouting year would be complete without unforgettable outdoor adventures. Troop 4 explored the rugged trails of the White Mountains, went white-water rafting in the Berkshires, and scaled the climbing walls at New England Base Camp in the Blue Hills. In all, the scouts spent more than ten nights camping—building fires, cooking meals, pitching tents, and learning critical survival skills.
As the year closes, Troop 4 extends a warm welcome to new faces. If you have a son currently in 5th, 6th or 7th grade who is curious about the world of scouting, adventure, and leadership, Troop 4 encourages you to reach out to parent representative Jim Downes to learn more jamespdownes@gmail.com.
The Troop meets Monday nights during the school year and attends summer camp in July.
Congratulations to the Scouts and their dedicated leaders! Many years have passed since our sons and daughters were involved in scouting. Please continue to keep our community informed about all the good things happening.