In May, Boy Scout Trop 566, chartered to Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, made a major change in its leadership. Scout Master Sean Schwinghammer left the troop after seven years, two as Scout Master.
His motivation is simple, after his oldest son Broderick, 17, had attained the rank of Eagle Scout and is leaving for the University of Florida, while his youngest son, Aidan, 6, will begin first grade in the fall and will join Cub Scout Pack 660 chartered to Miami Lakes United Methodist Church.
“In a very real sense, I will begin again with Scouting, but there is no duplicating the wonderful time with Troop 566. I love all the boys and their families,” Schwinghammer said. “They have all immeasurably contributed to my family’s life.”
Schwinghammer was known for bringing new adventures to Troop 566 where he conceptualized and ran the first surfing camping trips (now a mainstay of the troop), backwater overnight kayaking adventures, zip-lining and horseback riding trips, and even water skiing.
He and his Scouts have been aggressive hikers, hiking the Appalachian Trail and the legendary Barefoot Mailman hike.
Through his efforts, Troop 566 was on the cover of Boy’s Life Magazine, the most circulated youth magazine in the nation.
Adriana Schwinghammer has been the troop’s Catholic Religious Education Counselor, teaching and leading boys to better understand their faith including working at homeless shelters and doing community service.
“For me, I really am proud of the visibility we have offered Scouting through town service,” Schwinghammer said. Troop 566 has been the “go-to” troop for town flag ceremonies, has worked with the Veterans Committee to create and provide bi-annual Flag Retirement Ceremonies (legal and respectful burning of American flags), and has won Best Float in a few Veteran’s Day Parades.
“Scouting has been a privilege and will always be a part of my life,” he said. His greatest joy has come from his Eagle Scouts. “Over the past few years, I have mentored six great boys to become Eagle Scouts, the highest award in Scouting. This has been wonderful for them and for me.
“I have seen that the more you challenge a boy, the better and quicker he becomes a man, and through challenge, imbued in principals, you can do great things.”
Schwinghammer is being succeeded by new Scout Master Carlos Perez, a longtime leader with Troop 566, a beloved music and history teacher at Bob Graham Education Center, and father of Star Scout Kolbe Perez.
“Mr. Perez becomes the seventh Scout Master for Troop 566. The Troop will grow and prosper because of his efforts and the fact that this 100-year-old Scouting program works, making boys into responsible men and effective leaders,” Schwinghammer said.
Boys ages 11 to 18 are welcome to join Boy Scouting and can visit Troop 566 any Tuesday between 7:30 and 9 p.m. at Our Lady of the Lakes. First- through fifth-grade boys can join Cub Scouting at Pack 566 or at Pack 660 at Miami Lakes United Methodist Church every Thursday at 7 p.m.