By Carol Britton Meyer

The mission of the volunteer Friends of Hull Scouting, founded in 1998, was to rehabilitate and maintain the Hull Scout House on Nantasket Avenue as a vital resource for the town’s Boy Scout, Cub Scout, and Girl Scout organizations. While that effort was successful and the building continues to provide a comfortable, safe, and fun space for the scouts who use the facility, the Friends group is struggling to keep up with the increasing everyday costs associated with its continued use in addition to completing necessary repairs.

**GOOD SCOUTS.** The current Hull Girl Scout troop recently posed in front of the historic fireplace inside the Scout House at Kenberma. The Friends of Hull Scouting is seeking donations to help maintain the clubhouse and is looking to expand membership. [Photo courtesy of Kerrie Kraus]

The current goal is to continue fundraising efforts that came to a halt during the pandemic, with the help of local veterans under the leadership of American Legion Post #140 Commander Jim Richman, who Friends president Kerrie Kraus told The Hull Times have been “wonderful.”

Kraus is also seeking the support of the town, which owns the Scout House at 435 Nantasket Ave., next to the Kenberma Playground, in bringing a current grant opportunity to reality, although this is in the early stages. The facility operates under a long-term lease under which the Friends pay for the utilities and other expenses.

Potential grant on hold

Through the efforts of state Sen. Patrick O’Connor right after the pandemic, a $25,000 grant was awarded to repair the Scout House as part of a COVID19 relief bill. As it turned out, though, after submitting the paperwork and with a contract in place, the Friends learned “after all that hard work” that it was a grant that needed to be reimbursed, so could not immediately be put to good use, according to Kraus.

The historic Scout House is at 435 Nantasket Avenue, next to the Kenberma Playground.

“We are in an urgent place right now, trying to keep the building alive and to help grow Hull’s Boy and Girl Scout programs in the coming years,” she said. “When you don’t have money in your account, a grant like this is impossible for us.”

While the Scout House is basically solid, the grant money would be helpful in accomplishing necessary repairs and other work, including an electrical system upgrade.

Kraus continues to be the driving force behind the Friends, with support from a few other community members.

Due to the dwindling number of Boy Scouts as a result of growing bored with virtual meetings during the pandemic, Kraus is hoping to revitalize the interest in first, Cub Scouts, and then Boy Scouts in Hull – with participation in Girl Scouts currently stronger than in Boy Scouts.

In the meantime, both boys’ groups have joined with the Cohasset Boy and Cub Scouts, including one of her sons. Kraus is an assistant Scoutmaster.

Kraus has been involved with Scouts in some way since 2009, when she served as co-leader for her oldest son’s Cub Scout den. She was also active in her daughter’s Girl Scout troop.

Kraus’ involvement with Scouts ramped up with her youngest son’s Cub Scout den around 2016. She assumed the role of Cubmaster in 2017, along with a lead position as treasurer of the Friends group.

“The rest is history,” she said. “We have been keeping the lights on ever since, mostly with Election Day bake sales and another fundraiser just before the pandemic. COVID hit both the Scout House and scouting hard, both in Hull and everywhere really.”

Kraus expressed appreciation for Hull resident Arthur Augenstern, calling him “a man with a mission who I understand to be the driving force behind keeping the old Boy Scout house from being condemned [years ago] and building it up to what it is today.”

Augenstern told The Hull Times that the rehabilitation project was “a huge community effort” starting in 1998 and spanning many years.

“I was involved in Hull Scouting for almost 20 years, along with tremendous community support,” he said. “Unfortunately, many of the continuous contributors are no longer involved for various reasons.”

Augenstern noted that he has “a big birthday [80th] coming up in early October, and I would be honored and delighted if people would donate to the Friends of Hull Scouting [for this occasion] so that the Scout House stays in good repair for future Scouters.”

‘We would like to preserve scouting for Hull kids’

Scouting is a valuable resource for boys and girls, especially those who may not be involved in team sports, according to Kraus. Activities include camping, hiking, and other adventures as well as earning merit badges that introduce them to new areas of interest – such as architecture, photography, and emergency preparations – that could eventually lead to careers in those fields along with bolstering their self-confidence.

“Scouting is getting a little lost here, and we would like to help preserve it for Hull kids,” Kraus said.

More volunteers are needed to keep Hull scouting and the Scout House vibrant.

To volunteer or make a donation. go the Friends of Hull Scouting Facebook page. Donations of any size are appreciated and may be mailed to Friends of Hull Scouting, P.O. Box 14, Hull, MA 02045.

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion on this issue? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.