A Brief (and incomplete) History of Boy Scout Troop 667 1975 – 2013 December 20, 2010 Updated October 7, 2013 A Brief History of Boy Scout Troop 667 1975 - 2013 by Eric Morgan [email protected] For any errors contained herein, I apologize – they are unintended. Please let me know of any errors or omissions you find. This is a work in progress. December 2010, October 2013 Troop 667 History Troop 667 was founded in 1975 by a group of The Scoutmasters who have led and inspired the Thomson Elementary School parents who’s Cub Scouts of Troop 667 are: Scouts had crossed over into Boy Scouts, only to discover that there were no Scout troops in their Rich McDowell immediate area. So this group of parents decided Harry Fenz to form their own Troop. Dick Wildrick Pete Valentine With the help of an advisor provided by the local Dave Randall Council, the “Thomson Parents” received a Fred Binkley Charter from the Boy Scouts of America, and Wayne Gines Troop 667 was born. The new troop met at John Marx Thomson Elementary School, with just fifteen Fred Binkley scouts and five adult leaders. One of those adult Robert Gorecki leaders was Mr. Dick Stanley, who is still Mike Graves registered with Troop 667 today. Rob Zerr Over the next ten years, the troop struggled to find Troop 667 Scouts have participated in over 400 a permanent home, and in addition to Thomson camping trips as well as many summer camps, Elementary, met at Hackberry Hill Elementary, jamborees, shooting sports, family campouts, North Arvada Junior High School, Spirit of Christ winter campouts, ski trips, high adventures, rock Catholic Church and, at times, even private climbing, hiking, swimming, fishing, sailing, homes. Finally, in 1985, a member of Trinity canoeing, river rafting, bike riding, overnight Presbyterian Church, Mr. Bob Shaw – himself a lock-ins, video arcades, airplane and space flight former Boy Scout and life-long supporter of simulations, rocket launching, family picnics, Scouting – helped get the troop’s charter Halloween parties, Christmas parties, hay rides, transferred to Trinity Presbyterian. He became our Rockies games and numerous other fun and Chartered Organization Representative, a position exciting activities. he proudly holds to this day. Our Scouts have also donated untold hours and In the nearly 40 year history of Troop 667, in energy to performing service projects, Eagle addition to more than 1000 Scouts, seventy eight Projects, trail cleanups, flag ceremonies, Cub Scouts have reached the highest rank in Scouting, Scout activity staffing, summer camp and high that of Eagle Scout. To make the program work adventure staffing, underprivileged children’s for all these Scouts, the Troop has had 12 party staffing, Christmas caroling, snow Scoutmasters and over 500 other devoted adult shoveling, food drives, toy drives, assistance to the leaders. elderly, tree planting, landscaping, painting, national park maintenance, city park maintenance and many other community service activities. 1 Troop 667 History Below is a summary of each year for which information is available. This history is incomplete. Apologies for that, we are still attempting to gather this information. 1975 to 1978 – Scoutmaster: Mr. Rich McDowell 1979 to 1981 – Scoutmaster: Mr. Harry Fenz 1982 to 1984 – Scoutmaster: Mr. Dick Wildrick (The date ranges above are best guesses.) 1985 – Scoutmaster: Mr. Dick Wildrick 1986 to 1987 – Scoutmaster: Mr. Pete Valentine 1988 – Scoutmaster: Mr. Dave Randall 1989 – Scoutmaster: Mr. Fred Binkley 2 Troop 667 History 1990 – Scoutmaster: Mr. Fred Binkley wear on a lanyard attached to their belts. It was easy to see how much a Scout was The adult patrol was called the Ghost Patrol . participating in Troop activities by glancing at the beads hanging from his belt! The Troop had no storage shed, but stored all its equipment in the garage of one of the adult August 21 - The August Court of Honor was th leaders. held at Prospect Park (44 & Robb in Wheat Ridge), following a pot luck dinner. In July, a few Troop 667 Scouts visited the Soviet Union. The Troop Committee was seeking a Troop logo to use on hats, clothing, documents and Starting in September, Troop meetings were patches, so new parent Connie Morgan changed from Tuesday evenings to volunteered her husband, Eric, to design a logo Wednesday evenings. for the Committee to consider. Although not yet a member of the Troop, he came up with Scout dues of $3 were collected from each three alternatives, including the design finally Scout at the beginning of every month. Scouts chosen by the Committee (three arrows who were behind in paying dues more than forming the letter “A” for “Arvada”). Connie two months became ineligible to attend soon volunteered Eric, who had avoided even campouts or receive awards. Adult dues of $3 visiting the Troop, to write the monthly Troop were optional. newsletter, so he finally relented and registered with the Troop. PLC meetings were held at 7pm on the second Monday of each month. Attendance was The Troop produced a monthly newsletter that required for Patrol Leaders. If the patrol leader was mailed to every member of the Troop. could not attend, he was required to make sure someone from his patrol attended in his place! September 25 – The Troop Committee Here was the official rule: “If your patrol approved the creation of a new “honor patrol” misses one PLC meeting, you will be given a to be called “The Aleek-Chea-Ahoosh Clan.” warning. If your patrol misses a second PLC Aleek-Chea-Ahoosh was a Crow Indian, born meeting, you will be removed as patrol in Montana in 1848, who became Chief of the leader.” Crow in 1875. Chief Aleek-Chea-Ahoosh (which means many achievements) formed an The Troop Committee had a permanent alliance with the white settlers when he transportation position, that of Troop learned that the Sioux and Cheyenne, longtime Transportation Coordinator. This person enemies of the Crow, opposed the settlers. He arranged transportation for all outings where was known to the white settlers as Plenty the Troop provided transportation, soliciting Coups, the English translation of his name. He drivers and assigning riders to each driver. remained leader of the Crow until shortly before his death in 1932. If a Scout could not attend a meeting, he was expected to call his patrol leader before the October 7 – The adult leadership retreat was meeting to let him know, and then call him held from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm. afterwards to find out what he missed. After three unexcused absences in a row, a Scout November 14 – A silent auction was held at was considered no longer active. the Court of Honor as a Troop fundraiser. The Troop issued colored beads at every event, December 9 – The Troop joined Trinity including Troop meetings, which Scouts could Presbyterian Church, its chartering 3 Troop 667 History organization, in celebrated the church’s 20 th There were two outings in June: a campout at birthday. Wellington Lake and a Yampa River canoeing adventure. December 19 – The Troop rented a flatbed trailer, covered it with hay, and went caroling In June, Connie Morgan took over as in the neighborhood. Committee Chair from Carolyn Young. 1991 – Scoutmaster: Mr. Fred Binkley July 12 to 14 – The first annual Aleek-Chea- Ahoosh new member induction campout was Parents’ Committee Meetings were held from held. 7:30 to 9:00 pm on Tuesdays. July 27 to August 7 – Troop 667 Scouts February 6 – Recharter night – Fees were as attended Philmont Scout Ranch follows: Scout/Scouter registration: $6.50 With over 100 registered Scouts, the Troop Boy’s Life: $7.00 sponsored two summer camps and allowed Troop Insurance: $1.50 Scouts to choose the one they preferred: SME* Donation: $10.00 (optional) July 21 to 27 – Summer Camp at Ben *Sustained Membership Enrollment, or SME, Delatour. was an annual fund drive to support the or Gateway District and Denver area Council. August 11 to 17 – Summer Camp at Peaceful The Troop raised funds this way rather Valley (Camp Chris Dobbins) conducting a pledge drive at the Court of Honor. August 16 to 17 – 14er campout for Scouts who did not attend summer camp in August. Denver area Council sent a representative to Philmont to take a week-long BSA The Troop purchased 15 new two-man tents introduction to a new program called "Ethics for a total of 25. The Troop encouraged all in Action," which was later adopted Council- Scouts to use troop tents instead of personal wide. To represent the Denver Area Council, tents on campouts. they selected Fred Binkley, Scoutmaster of Troop 667, one of the most highly respected In September, Scouts sold Gold “C” books as troops in the entire council. a fundraiser. Every patrol in Troop 667 was assigned a The Troop regularly provided a short article to specific assistant scoutmaster to mentor scouts the church for publication in their monthly in that patrol. newsletter. The article for September, 1991 included the following: “This summer, well May 17 to 19 – The annual Family Campout over half our boys attended one or another of was held on a private ranch near Agate in three summer scout camps, which was a great eastern Colorado. As usual, this was a experience for all. Our scouts also climbed a shooting sports campout, with .22 rifles, 14,000 foot mountain, took a 54 mile trip shotguns, black powder and archery. down the Yampa river in canoes, went swimming twice, played miniature golf, had a June 19 – Troop pizza party and Putt-Putt golf. pizza party, and went on several weekend Scouts were expected to wear their Class “A” campouts.