BOY SCOUT TROOP 291



BOY SCOUT TROOP 291

PLANO, TXAS

CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY

by

Richard M. Raitt

Scoutmaster 1973-1978

Preface

This history of the troop originates from many different sources of information. They are computer and hardcopy files of data, old slides, photos and movies I have in my archives, recent personal visits to Circle Ten Council, the troop’s chartered organization, namely First United Methodist Church of Plano, and the personal experiences with the many boys and adults I have come in contact within the troop. It is heartening to note that in all my world travels in and for the cause of Scouting, I have found a true Brotherhood of Scouting really does exist, not only in the United States, but on all the major continents. Are we alone in the world of Scouting? – NO, for there is that world brotherhood. Are we unique? – YES, for we are the only country in the world that has a separate organization for Girl Scouts and we are the only country in the world that does not use the Baden Powell Scouting program. However what we do have works and has worked for us for many decades. In that respect we are unique. As you read this history of the troop, you will find instances of the unique nature of the troop. As for myself, I thank the 2004-2005 leadership of the troop for giving me the opportunity to share with you all the knowledge I have which really belongs to you the troop. I have been waiting a long time for someone to come forward and ask for this history. Most importantly, it is because my predecessors have all passed on to the great camp in the heavens.

Now on with the story.

In the Beginning

It all started in 1964, when Les Kaff founded Cub Scout Pack 291 at the Meadows Elementary School in Plano. At that time , there were no Cub Scout Packs or Boy Scout Troops known to exist in Plano. For new comers living in Plano now, it would be very hard indeed to imagine how small Plano was. It was just a wide spot on highway 5, known now as Avenue K.

Actually Plano had less than 1,900 people living here and the city limits did not extend pass what is now known as Plano Parkway on the South side, Parker Road on the North side, Shiloh Road on the East side and Alma Road on the West side. There was no such place as West Plano. It was just Plano.

More recently the City of Plano has declared that area bounded by 14 th street, Jupiter Road, Parker Road and Avenue J as Old Towne. That is where the only Pack (291) and the only Troop (291) resided.

One can only guess why Les started the Pack. Perhaps he had just moved to Plano around 1964, and needed a Pack for his son to go into. That would be my guess. Assuming now that his son Eddie was already 10 years of age and a Webelo, Les thought ahead and founded Troop 291 in 1965. He was indeed the founder of the troop and the first Scoutmaster. The troop was sponsored by the First United Methodist Church and still is to this day. This would make the troop, the oldest continuously registered troop with the same original chartered organization in Plano. As of 2005, this amounts to 40 continuous years. It also makes Pack 291 the oldest Pack at 41 years, and as a Pack has graduated many Webelo Scouts into the troop, along with many of the leaders and committee members. Les held on to the Troop as Scoutmaster for 3 years, until he retired from Scouting. It is also a little known fact that Troop 291 on council records also shows up as Troop 0291 on the national records. This means that the number 0291 was first issued to this troop in Plano – i.e. it was the 291st troop chartered in the United States.

By visiting with the Commissioner of Troop 285 of St. Marks Church on Alma Road, I was astonished to find out that Troop 300 was not the 2nd oldest troop. It was in fact Troop 285. They originally chartered in December, 1965 and Troop 291 in November, 1965. So two troops actually have the right to celebrate 40 years of unbroken service with their same chartered organization in 2005.

The Second Wave

In 1969, Reynold D. Noble took over the troop as Scoutmaster, again because he had a son ready to join. Under his leadership, the Troop made their first three Eagle Scouts in 1970. One of the Eagles was Les’s son Eddie.

It was at this period of time in the history of the troop, that a lot more emphasis was placed on monthly camping and summer camp. R.D.’s philosophy was, take the boys camping as much as possible and advancement will naturally result. It was widely accepted in the seventies that the council was more interested in numbers through advancement while the volunteers concentrated on what makes those numbers happen in the first place, namely camping and having FUN.

Thus the philosophy was established that Troop 291 would be known as a camping troop. They camped every month, no matter what the weather was, went to summer camp and participated in both district camporees each year. R.D’s term as Scoutmaster, yielded three more Eagle Scouts, but he retired before the last two of the three had their ceremony.

Allow me to deviate for a moment to explain why this was the only district in the council to have two camporees every year. Long ago, Collin County was part of the North Star District. Then later, it became part of the North Trail District which included Richardson. In 1974, North Trail gave up Collin County and a new district was formed called Bois D’Arc. While we were a part of North Trail, the idea of two camporees a year was born, one being the traditional Collin County Camporee we have always had in the Fall and then the North Trail Camporee in the Spring. The Fall Camporee was just for the troops in Collin County and the Spring Camporee was for the entire district. This concept carried over into Bois D’Arc District. I understand now that when Bois D’Arc District split into Great Plains and Arrowhead Districts in 1994, the Collin County Camporee was dropped.

The Trail Continues

In 1973, the troop went to Camp Dierks in the Quachita Mountains of Oklahoma. The second day we were there, I woke up to find out that the Scoutmaster was not around. We searched everywhere including the parking lot. He was indeed gone. I then realized why everyone traveled on the troop bus while he led us in his car. His other Assistant Scoutmaster informed me that this exodus by the Scoutmaster was planned. I was told that he had left for good. You see, a tradition had started in the troop among leaders, that they don’t ever quit, they just simply retire. Both of us kept the troop going through summer camp. This was a baptism under fire for me.

When we got back to Plano, I was called to an emergency meeting of the troop committee, where I was given the choice of quitting or becoming Scoutmaster. There I was, untrained for the job. They said not so, I had been an Assistant for a year and led the troop at summer camp and now have two sons in the troop. What else did I need, they said. I said I don’t know. Their response was “so it is written, so shall it be done. The meeting was then suddenly over.

I went on to serve the troop as Scoutmaster for six years. During that time, a lot of traditions started, some still exist and some don’t. We designed a troop neckerchief , which was bright orange with an outline of the State of Texas and 291 in black on the back. Then when the new uniforms came into being, instead of the red shoulder loops we were suppose to wear, we designed our own orange ones. Later on after I left the troop, they made them half orange and half black. These were the colors of the troop. Even the seats in the troop bus were orange. The bus however was repainted white with red, white and blue stripes down each side.

I see that the bus is gone, so are the neckerchiefs and shoulder loops. I wonder if the Scout investiture log is still around and being used. Even though some of the visible traditions are gone, the ones that are important are still very much alive. That being monthly camping, high-adventure camping and most important of all, parental involvement. After visiting the troop recently, I saw the parental and adult leadership involvement, the well discipline Boy Run Program, and the jam pack schedule of outdoor activities. It felt like I never left. It indeed feels good to come home, if only briefly.

I could tell stories around the troop campfire for many nights. Perhaps that is where they should be told, instead of taking up more space in this history of the troop.

Then came the day came when I was called to a different purpose in Scouting, in the district, council and international arenas. I firmly believe to this day that the troop had been left in good hands. Troop 291 is indeed unique in all it’s endeavors and accomplishments.

May the principles of Scouting be forever planted in the minds of the young Scouts of the Troop 291 for a lifetime.

To be continued by others.

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