Piscopo Welcomes Local Cub Scout Pack to State Capitol

HARTFORD – Last week, State Representative John Piscopo (R-Thomaston) welcomed Scouts from Harwinton and Torrington who are members of Cub Scout Pack 3, Den 1 to the State Capitol. Rep. Piscopo spent the morning talking with the Scouts, who were accompanied by their Den Leader, Mike Conroy, Assistant Den Leader, Tom Ashe, and parent chaperone, Ms. Lashan Massey.

“I was so happy to meet with the Scouts and have the chance to speak with them about my role as a state legislator,” said Rep. Piscopo. “They did a fantastic job asking questions and engaging in the conversation. I hope that their time spent at the Capitol was helpful to their learning about government. I wish them all continued success on their journey and transition to the rank of Boy Scout.”

The Scouts, who are first year Webelos (a transitional rank between cub scouts and boy scouts), are working to earn their Citizen Pin, as part of the ‘Arrow of Light’ award. Per Den Leader, Mike Conroy, the significance of this award is that it is the only award that can be carried over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. To earn this pin, they chose to visit the State Capitol and speak with Rep. Piscopo.

Conroy felt it was important for the Scouts to have an understanding of how the Cub Scout motto, “Do your best” and the Boy Scout motto, “Be prepared” can be applied to their civic duty. “I believe it’s possible to combat voter apathy by getting people interested in politics at an early age,” said Conroy.  “A voter should ‘be prepared’ by understanding the issues and ‘do his best’ when voting his choice. Visiting the seat of state government not only gave the boys the opportunity to meet a legislator, but it also gave them the opportunity to visualize politics at work. I want the boys to imagine that one day, they could do this job. This trip gave them the chance to connect what they saw and experienced at the State Capitol with what we discuss in den meetings and what they see or hear in the course of a day.”

“I’ve lived in Connecticut my whole life and I’ve never been to the State Capitol so this is just as exciting for me as it is for them, said Tom Ashe, Assistant Den Leader. The boys are very excited about this trip.”

Following the meeting with Rep. Piscopo, students spent the day learning about and understanding their state government as they toured the Legislative Office Building and the State Capitol.

Pack 3 was first chartered by the Boy Scouts of America in 1946 and is based out of the Center Congregational Church in Torrington, CT.

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