Scouting and Freemasonry: Ever Together

By Rt. Wor. Tom McClintock, PDDGM 7^th District

You, yes, this means your lodge, York Rite and, or Scottish Rite body can help grow the next generation of Masons through active involvement including time, talent and treasure for DeMolay and Scouting-America youth groups. Many Lodges sponsor or host Scouting units (Troops, Packs, Crews, Ships), providing meeting spaces, chartered organization support, and sometimes direct involvement from Masons who are Scouters. Specific examples include in Lincoln (Troop 127), Holyoke (Ship 235), Bedford (Troop 114), and Pittsfield (Pack 8/Troop 8).

Examples of Masonic Lodge & Scout Partnerships:

• Lincoln: Troop 127 meets at the Lincoln Masonic Lodge.
• Holyoke: Sea Scout Ship 235 meets at the Mount Tom Masonic Lodge.
• Bedford: Frank W. Thompson Lodge sponsors Boy Scout Troop 114.
• St. Alban’s Lodge , Foxborough supports Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts with free facilities.
• New Moon Lodge (Pittsfield): Sponsors Cub Scout Pack 8 and Scouts Troop 8.
• Frank W. Thompson Lodge (Waltham): Sponsors local Boy Scout troops and offers CPR/AED training as part of its community service.
• Siloam Lodge (Westborough): Has a history of supporting community events, including past involvement with Boy Scout Councils.

The Scouters Lodge (A.F. & A.M.):

• A special Masonic Lodge for Freemasons who are Eagle Scouts or hold other high Scouting awards (Silver Beaver, Antelope, Buffalo, or Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award).

How Lodges Support Scouting:

• Roots: Chartering Organizations: Some lodges serve as the official chartering body for Scout troops, aligning their missions. Without roots, there are no branches.
• Branches: Meeting Locations: Lodges provide meeting places and adult leaders.
• Financial & Program Support: Masonic groups offer scholarships, run Pinewood Derbies, and support local councils.

Major Scouting-America (previously Boy Scouts of America) Councils in Massachusetts

• Spirit of Adventure Council: Covers the Greater Boston area and Northeast Massachusetts.
• Mayflower Council: Serves the South Shore, MetroWest, and Plymouth areas.
• Heart of New England Council: Worcester County and central Massachusetts.
• Western Massachusetts Council: Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden counties.
• Cape Cod and the Islands Council: Cape Cod and the islands.
• Narragansett Council: Serves parts of Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Councils manage local Scouting units, camps, and programs, adhering to the values of the chartering organization and the Scout Oath and Law for youth development.

To find a lodge near you and your lodge that supports Scouting, you can use the Massachusetts Freemasons lodge locator (massfreemasonry.org) and inquire about their local community programs and Scout affiliations.