Boy Scout Troop 159
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== BOY SCOUT TROOP 159 WOODSTOCK, IL 60098 ==
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Introduction
Troop 159 is the oldest continuously chartered* Boy Scout Troop in the USA, having been chartered by the First United Methodist Church of Woodstock, IL prior to 1916.
The Troop has a long history of lots of activities: biking, canoeing, hiking, caving, climbing, and we have great scouts and volunteers. Though currently small in size, (about 27 boys) we are still a very active troop and have a high ratio of registered volunteers (23) to boys (32), giving us a well rounded program. The troop does about a campout a month, participates in a number of day trips, summer camp (2 camps in 2002 & 2003!) & service projects, as well as district activities and training events. We meet on Monday nights from 7 pm to 8:30 at the Church thru the school year, and on Monday nights (same time) in Emricson Park throughout the summer.
* The Church burned to the ground in 1923, and the district also had a fire in its early years, destroying the original troop records- so we don't have the actual original charter of the troop. The first charter we have is from 1916 so that's what the council records as our original charter date. Though we are positive from other records that it was chartered in 1911 when Boy Scouting first came to America. There was no local council in the early years and we were chartered to the National Organization directly. The troop even existed prior to that, as there were many 'free-lance' scouting organizations. Our troop was actually started in the church around 1907. There may be other troops that are recognised by National as being older than Troop 159 Woodstock, but their chartered organization sponsorship has changed one or more times, or the troop # has been inactive for a few years. Troop 159 Woodstock has been continuously active under the sponsorship of the First United Methodist Church of Woodstock for over 99 years, in many different forms - and still going strong!
[edit] Troop 159 History
Troop #
- Not Official 1910-1916 No Council
- Troop 1 1916-1930 McHenry County Council
- Troop 52 1931-1933 Beloit Council
- Troop 159 1933-Present Blackhawk Area Council
The Three Councils
In 1923 Rev. Schneider, Fred Ferris, Herbert Megran, Samuel Marsh, Dr. Beckett, Ed Lyons, of Woodstock, Harvard, Crystal Lke and Hebron formed the McHenry County Council. The first camp was held north of McHenry on the river, using army surplus material for supplies. Later land was purchased near Elkhorn, Wisconsin on Pleasant Lake for a camp site. Two years later they merged with Beloit Council and three years later, in 1934 they joined the Blackhawk Area Council. In 1971 Blackhawk merged with the US Grant Council.
Scoutmasters
- 1910-1916 George Robinson
- 1917-1935 J.W. Moore
- 1936-1937 Ed Dibler
- 1938-1942 Forrest Brown
- 1943-1945 Basil Colburn
- 1946-1947 Ed Weiss
- 1948-1951 Basile Colburn
- 1952-1961 Horace Sears
- 1964-1966 Mark Englehardt
- 1967-1969 Elmer Short
- 1970-1976 Marc Englehardt
- 1977-1993 Chris Specht
- 1993-2000 Bill Betlinski
- 2000-2002 Roger Thomas
- 2002-2006 Paul McKay
- 2006-Now Brent Johnson
George Robinson Biography
Organized what he called Boy Scouts in the First United Methodist Church of Woodstock in November 1910. Meetings were held in an old barn. He continued to serve until 1917 when he was called into service. On his return in 1920 he helped the scouting program until 1922 when he became a Scout Executive. Later he worked for the United States government, Methodist Church General Board of Alcoholic problems, and as a Director of Field Work for Boys.
Chris Specht Biography
Chris Specht was Scoutmaster of Troop 159 Woodstock, Illinois for 20 years. Troop 159 is one of the oldest and longest running chartered scout troops in the nation. Under Mr. Specht’s leadership, more than forty Scouts earned their Eagle rank. Mr. Specht was a member of the Order of the Arrow, and was a holder of the Silver Beaver Award and Wood Badge beads.
Chris Specht served on local and district scouting committees and also served as Webelos leader and Packmaster for Pack 350, Woodstock, Illinois.
Under his leadership, Troop 159 adopted and rebuilt the Ranger campsite and volunteered their help in building and improving many of the buildings, trails, and sites at Camp Lowden.
He led his troop on many high adventure trips to places such as canoeing in Quetico Provincial Park-Canada, back packing in the Colorado Rockies, and canoeing the Current River in Missouri.
Chris Specht is remembered as a father, a friend, and a great leader.
Kevin Stebbins Biography
Kevin Stebbins was appointed to intrim Scoutmaster after Roger Thomas stepped down to help start Venture Crew 159. Under Kevin's direction and supervision the troop was reformed to reflect a more true to the program scout troop.
Before the appointment of Kevin to the position the Troop Committee, Patrol Leader's Council, and Scoutmaster Corps was one unit. The Scoutmaster chaired the meetings of the Troop Committee and the meetings were known as the Scoutmasters Meeting. The position of Committee Chairman was simply a honoary position.
Kevin started reforming the troop by requesting that a new Committee Chairman be appointed and trained. Shortly thereafter the first Scout Elections were held and the first Patrol Leader Council meetings held.
Another issue Kevin tackled was the improper uniforming that had become troop practive. Each scout leader had been originaly given different color shoulder tabs and wore his position patch on the pocket in a badge holder. Kevin removed the shoulder tabs from use and encouraged scouts to sew the patches on correctly.
Kevin helped to ensure that the scouts in the troop would gain the leadership abilities that Boy Scouts sets out to teach.
[edit] Troop 159 Adult Leadership
Chartered Organization Represenative: Mr. Kevin Stebbins
Mr. Kevin Stebbins earned the rank of Eagle in 1984 as a member of Troop 169. In the beginning part of the 2000's Kevin joined Scout Troop 159 as an Assistant Scoutmaster. Kevin has also served the troop as Activities Coordinator, Tent Rental Coordinator, Advancement Chairman, Scoutmaster, and Life to Eagle Coordinator.
Committee Chairman: Mr. Bill Kreznor
Mr. Bill Kreznor joined the troop as a parent of a scout. He began as Advancement Coordinator later serving as Troop Treasurer. When Mr. Greg Wisinski resigned as Committee Chairman Mr. Bill Kreznor was appointed to the position.
Scoutmaster: Mr. Brent Johnson
Mr. Brent Johnson joined the troop in 2006. He served as an Assistant Scoutmaster while his son was in the new scout patrol. Brent was appointed to Intrim Scoutmaster when Mr. Paul McKay past away unexpectly. In September of 2006 Brent was appointed to Scoutmaster by the Troop 159 Committee.
