Edward Piesens: He's a real Troop-er

It wasn’t long before Piesens became more involved, assisting the Cubmaster and den leader at meetings.

“I got involved initially so I could spend time with my son,” said Piesens, the Troop 340 Scoutmaster. “I found it to be something I really liked doing, so I stuck with it. It’s an opportunity to give back to the community and help these boys become good citizens, which is what Scouting is about, making good productive adults.”

When Cameron decided to “cross over to the Boy Scouts, I crossed over with him,” Piesens said.

“Looking back, it would have been something I would’ve enjoyed [as a boy]. But at the time, none of my friends were involved with it and it wasn’t on my radar, so to speak.”

Piesens, of Spring Grove, has supported Troop 340 for 10 years, serving as Scoutmaster for the past five years. Cameron, now 20, reached the highest rank as an Eagle Scout, and is looking into a career in the automotive service field.

Piesens stayed on as a troop leader for the remaining Scouts, who include Ernest Varga’s 15-year-old son, Hans.

Varga, who nominated the Scoutmaster as an Everyday Hero, said Piesens sets a model example to the troop and “goes the extra mile” to make sure each member succeeds.

“Ed really takes his role seriously,” said Varga, of Richmond. “He’s not only conscientious, he makes sure the boys run the troop to teach them leadership.

“He’s put in more than a million hours to help the community and gives back more than one could ever know.”

Scouts get coached on a variety of skills, from emergency preparedness to public speaking, and learn about leadership values.

It’s most rewarding to Piesens when he sees “a Scout accomplish a task he’s been struggling with and he’s just really excited about what he’s done.”

“I definitely believe in the program. I’ve also learned and grown from it. It’s given me more confidence working with a large group, working with their parents,” Piesens said. “It has helped me as much as I’ve been able to give back.”