When members of Scouting America Troop 220 (Boys Unit) and Troop 1872 (Girls Unit) gathered at Life Church one recent evening, they expected a night of learning. What they didn’t anticipate was a powerful reminder that leadership — and giving — often begin with simply showing up for others.
Representatives from several Smyrna Scouting America Troops and Cub Scouts Packs filled the room, joined by families, volunteers, and church leaders. The Scouts listened closely as three of Smyrna’s own civic leaders shared stories from their lives of public service: Chief of Police Keith Zgonc, Deputy Fire Chief Eric Mohrmann, and City Councilman Tim Gould.
Chief Zgonc spoke about integrity and teamwork — values that guide every officer under his command. “When you put on the badge, you’re part of something bigger than yourself,” he told the Scouts, encouraging them to look out for one another both in and out of uniform.
Deputy Chief Mohrmann shared lessons learned from decades in emergency response: the importance of preparation, calm under pressure, and the steady confidence that comes from practice. “Those are things Scouting already teaches you,” he said, drawing smiles from Troop leaders who know the truth of that firsthand.
Councilman Gould’s message was simple yet powerful: leadership starts with service. “It doesn’t always look grand,” he said. “Sometimes it’s helping a neighbor, volunteering at a cleanup, or mentoring someone younger. That’s how you change a community.”
Each leader encouraged the Scouts to stay active in Scouting America and to stay involved locally — because small acts of service, repeated often, create lasting change.
As the evening came to a close, Scout leaders and families expressed gratitude to their guests for investing time in Smyrna’s youth. The Troops presented each speaker with a Scout Law Flip Spin Challenge Coin, a symbol of the twelve principles that guide every Scout. Chief Zgonc responded by presenting a Smyrna Police Department challenge coin to Silver Comet District Executive Arisha Ali — an exchange representing mutual respect and shared values.
“Having leaders like Chief Zgonc, Deputy Chief Mohrmann, and Councilman Gould take the time to speak with our Scouts was truly inspiring,” said J. Barrett Carter, Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 220. “They reminded our young people that leadership is about service, something we strive to teach in Scouting every day.”
That spirit of service — and the generosity of time and wisdom shared — made this gathering more than just an evening meeting. It was a celebration of giving back, Smyrna-style: community leaders and young Scouts learning, together, what it means to serve.
Interested in joining Scouting? Troop 220 (Boys) & Troop 1872 (Girls): Matthew Berenson 770-335-4376; amberenson@gmail.com.
Cub Scouts (Ages 5–10): Steven Jimenez 805-680-0824; Pack22smyrnaga@gmail.com.