Meet the motivator and mentor in V.S. Troop 116

Valley Stream Troop 116 has produced dozens of Boy Scouts who have earned the elite rank of Eagle Scout over the years.

They have stepped on the recognition stage during the traditional Eagle Court of Honors ceremony in Valley Stream. And during the portion of the ceremony in which mentorship pins are presented to those who’ve helped steer and assist these Scouts, dozens have pinned their gratitude on Patrick Burke.

“I wear them all on my uniform,” Burke said. “The 40-some-odd pins all have the name initials of the scout on the back. If they thought enough of me to give it to me, I’m certainly going to honor them by wearing it. And I’m certainly not done encouraging and guiding these scouts by any means.”

Burke, 52, committee chair for Troop 116 since 2013, has been an instrumental anchor and role model for the Boy Scouts for decades. He is known well in Troop 116 as a mentor who handles the young scouts with both the commanding respect of a drill sergeant and the trusted confidence of a friend.

“His Marine Corps background has some part to play in this,” said adult Scout leader Haiden Scanlan, who earned his Eagle rank under Burke’s mentorship.

“There’s enough respect between Mr. Burke and the kids that when he raises his voice, everybody stops moving,” Scanlan said. “He’s forceful when a problem needs to be fixed. You can hear him across the campsite. But he’s also an open door in case you need him for anything.”

Burke’s authority provides needed direction for the scouts, but it’s his genuine care for each one of them that pushes them further, with willingness and good cheer, into their scouting journey, even when there’s a temptation to quit.

“I know, for me at least, as I entered my high school years, it was difficult for me to stay motivated in doing the program because everything else in life just started piling on,” Scanlan said. “Classes in school get harder, you start trying to get a car, trying to get a girlfriend, trying to hang out with friends more before they go away to college.”

The task of a scout leader is to be engaged and inspire confidence in committing to scouting, which is Burke’s strength, according to Scanlan. With his voice alone, he could provide a jolt of conviction for anyone, Boy Scout leaders said.

His experience is unquestioned. Burke started out as a member of the Cub Scouts in 1979, and earned his Eagle Scout badge in 1989 at the age of 17, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who earned his in 1936.

Burke’s experience is a rare and treasured resource for all Troop 116 scouts climbing to reach the Eagle rank, especially when preparing for the Eagle community service project. The project involves multiple phases, requiring the coordination of a crew of volunteers, which leaves a lasting benefit to the community.

“Because of his experience, Mr. Burke can walk you through the whole project planning and proposal process and can show you what needs improvement, where you need to restart, everything like that,” Scanlan said.

Burke’s devotion comes from his faith in the bold, fun, and character-building experience offered by the Boy Scouts of America.

“It’s the best program in the country for leadership for youth development, to develop them into responsible adults that are going to be our future leaders,” Burke said. “If I’ve had any kind of positive effect on anyone, that’s truly the best thing that I can ever do.”

Many kids start scouting at Troop 116 as nervous campers and end it as more confident individuals, having forged priceless connections, according to Troop 116 Scoutmaster Andrew Mihalick. He added that some of these connections could last a lifetime. 

“It’s amazing to watch these kids get pulled out of their element and have the freedom to grow together and help one another develop scouting skills,” Mihalick said. “It’s great to experience that sense of camaraderie and live the Scout Oath together. It’s something you’ll never forget.”