|
|
|
Geneseo’s Boy Scout Troop No. 100 has served area young men for the past half century.
“Aside from learning outdoor skills, Boy Scouts helps boys form good morals and ethics and teaches them self-leadership,” said Chris Thompson, who serves on the troop’s adult committee.
His father, Jerry, helped found the troop in 1961.
The late Jerry Thompson was among a group who approached St. Malachy’s assistant priest, Father Bob Creager, and asked if a troop could be established in the parish with St. Malachy Church as the sponsoring institution.
A request was made to the Boy Scout Council and an application was sent to the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America for final approval.
On Dec. 16, 1961, the troop’s charter became official.
“At that time, there were a number of Boy Scout troops in Geneseo,” said Thompson.
Today, Troop No. 100, along with Troop No. 131, are the only two in existence.
“We’ve been blessed with many good leaders in our community who have kept the troop thriving,” explained Thompson.
In 1992, Boy Scout Troop No. 627 of Geneseo was merged into Troop No. 100. That troop had been sponsored by the Don Cherry VFW Post No. 5083.
Today, Boy Scout Troop 100 is sponsored by both St. Malachy Church and the VFW post.
Troop No. 100 has approximately 30 members.
“To sustain a troop our size and maintain good participation has taken a lot of community and family support,” said Thompson.
Generations of the same family have often been members of the troop.
“There is a generational connection with the troop,” said Thompson.
Dr. Tom Wachtel of Geneseo was a member of Troop No. 100, as were his sons.
“I think it speaks to the commitment of the dads. We have second and third generations who are still helping with the troop,” said Wachtel.
Though Troop No. 100 has an adult committee, the boys themselves provide the ultimate leadership for the group.
“Boy Scouts is a boy-led organization. There is an expectation for the older boys to help teach the younger boys,” said Thompson. “The boys plan the year and they elect their leadership. They are the ones who make things happen.”
“The Scouts of Troop No. 100 have always been able to plan their own events, under the guidance of the committee of parents and adult advisers. The Scouts who have been in the troop awhile become responsible for running the meetings, planning the campouts and leading the troop and council-wide events,” said Mark Keplinger, a former Troop No. 100 member who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 1999.
Geneseo’s Boy Scout Troop No. 100 has served area young men for the past half century.
“Aside from learning outdoor skills, Boy Scouts helps boys form good morals and ethics and teaches them self-leadership,” said Chris Thompson, who serves on the troop’s adult committee.
His father, Jerry, helped found the troop in 1961.
The late Jerry Thompson was among a group who approached St. Malachy’s assistant priest, Father Bob Creager, and asked if a troop could be established in the parish with St. Malachy Church as the sponsoring institution.
A request was made to the Boy Scout Council and an application was sent to the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America for final approval.
On Dec. 16, 1961, the troop’s charter became official.
“At that time, there were a number of Boy Scout troops in Geneseo,” said Thompson.
Today, Troop No. 100, along with Troop No. 131, are the only two in existence.
“We’ve been blessed with many good leaders in our community who have kept the troop thriving,” explained Thompson.
In 1992, Boy Scout Troop No. 627 of Geneseo was merged into Troop No. 100. That troop had been sponsored by the Don Cherry VFW Post No. 5083.
Today, Boy Scout Troop 100 is sponsored by both St. Malachy Church and the VFW post.
Troop No. 100 has approximately 30 members.
“To sustain a troop our size and maintain good participation has taken a lot of community and family support,” said Thompson.
Generations of the same family have often been members of the troop.
“There is a generational connection with the troop,” said Thompson.
Dr. Tom Wachtel of Geneseo was a member of Troop No. 100, as were his sons.
“I think it speaks to the commitment of the dads. We have second and third generations who are still helping with the troop,” said Wachtel.
Though Troop No. 100 has an adult committee, the boys themselves provide the ultimate leadership for the group.
“Boy Scouts is a boy-led organization. There is an expectation for the older boys to help teach the younger boys,” said Thompson. “The boys plan the year and they elect their leadership. They are the ones who make things happen.”
“The Scouts of Troop No. 100 have always been able to plan their own events, under the guidance of the committee of parents and adult advisers. The Scouts who have been in the troop awhile become responsible for running the meetings, planning the campouts and leading the troop and council-wide events,” said Mark Keplinger, a former Troop No. 100 member who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 1999.
“Having talked to other scouts from a number of other troops, there isn’t a troop anywhere that allows their scouts to lead their own troop to a greater extent than Troop No. 100 does. The adult leaders are very supportive, but allow the scouts to set their own path,” explained Keplinger.
Boy Scout Troop No. 100 encompasses boys age 11 to 17.
“The troop has kept grounded in the fundamentals of the Scout oath and law,” said Thompson.
“Boy Scouts teaches skills for a boy’s entire life,” said Wachtel.
“Scouting teaches values and character and how to be a leader,” said former member Brett Barker.
Barker earned his Eagle Scout rank in 2001. “Troop No. 100 is a very strong troop with a long tradition of great leadership. As someone who moved to town as an older scout, I will always appreciate being made feel welcome.”
In its 50-year history, Troop No. 100 has produced 54 Eagle Scouts.
“Boy Scouts faces a lot of competition for a scout’s time from things like sports and extra curriculars, but we’ve found many of our Eagle Scouts are the ones who are involved in sports and extra curriculars,” said Thompson.
The self-leadership skills emphasized by Boy Scouts help the scouts manage their time.
“Hand-in-hand with leadership is responsibility,” said Keplinger. “A scout can decide what leadership position to run for, can become responsible for other scouts and is always responsible for setting a plan for continuing on the road to Eagle Scout.”
Troop No. 100 meets weekly on Thursday nights at Cole Cabin in Geneseo.
“We’re a very active troop. We try to do one outdoor camping event a month, as well as an every-other-year longer trip,” said Thompson. Every four years, troop members also participate in the National Scouting Jamboree.
In honor of the troop’s 50th anniversary, a new Web site has
been developed, www.bsatroop100.org. The site details the troop’s history and current activities.
