The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 22, Milford, Kosciusko County, 28 May 1986 — Page 49

Boy Scouts strong in the 1940 s

Think of the Milford Boy Scouts as a flickering light. At the start, it has much energy. Then it dies down to almost nothing. And just when you think its through, the energy comes back. Milford had a strong Boy Scout troop when it started out in the 19405. It continued that through the 50s and early 60s. After that, it appeared interest had diminished entirely. “We had a good-sized troop when I was scoutmaster,” said Dean Troup, who held that position between 1953 and 1958. “I think we had about 30 members. Several of them won eagles’ awards.” Troup mentioned that successful and beneficial participation in the Scouts often depends on an active board of leaders.

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SCOUT CABIN DEDICATED — Pictured are members of the Milfqrd Boy Scout Troop during dedication ceremonies at the Scout Cabin on Waubee Lakes. In the first row are Scoutmaster Rev. King of the Methodist Church, Assistant Scoutmaster Harold Geiger and Duane (“Skip”) Graff. In the second row are Jon Carson Sunthimer, Gerry Graff and Jerry Graff. In the third row are Chuck Myers, Frank Stuckman and Bob Geiger. In the fourth row are Jbe Ruch, Phil Snider and Joe Sunthimer.

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NO MORE SCOUT CABIN — The Milford Scout Cabin was deliberately burned down about six years ago. The building dated back to the 19405. Now, the Boy Scouts meet at the community building on Main Street. (Mail-Journal File Photo)

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This included parent support and a few adults who made time to lead the troop. “We had much support from those areas back then,” Troup recalled. “The boys were active at that time, too.” After his stay as scoutmaster, Troup served on the Scout board five more years. “I had 10 years of Scouting altogether,” he said. “I had to make time for. It’s a lot of involvement and a lot of work, and if you don’t have a few willing adults to lead, then participation will die out. That kind of happened shortly after the early 605.” Through the work, Troup has fond memories of the Boy Scouts. “We went to camps at grounds in the Cromwell area,” recalled Troup. “We taught the kids basic camping skills a some first aide.

And what they learned, they passed it on to new members. The kids actually taught each other as well as earn their badges.” Troup urged that the Scouts need leadership more than anything else. “It takes strong organization,” he said. “Otherwise, too much of the load gets dumped on the scoutmaster. But as tough as it was to get the work done, it was a real good experience for me and the boys because we had the right kind of support.” Terry Thompson, who is the present scoutmaster, has discovered the same thing when it comes to involvement in the Boy Scouts. “Involvement kind of goes in spurts,” he said. “The main thing is keeping people interested in it.”

Wed., May 28,1986 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

Thompson is a native of Ohio and possesses Scouting r iots from the Buckeye State. His father was a scoutmaster. “There’s a lot of bookwork involved,” said Thompson. “You have to keep records on each boy and what he has earned. Right now, I have a pretty good g.voup of boys.” Presently, the Milford Boy Scout Troop has 13 members, which meet regularly at the Community building on Main Street. They are: Rick Thompson, Mark Ray, Doug Stump, Kirk Dewart,

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WHERE THEY USED TO MEET — For about 35 years, members of the Milford Boy Scout T -oop met at the Scout Cabin, located on Waubee Lake.

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Mike Duncan, Marc Evans, David Stump, Phillip Fitch, Casey Stutzman, Joe Moorehead 111, Alex Lozano, Jr., John Hite and Jason Miller. “We have two Eagle Scouts, which is, I think, the first Milford has had in about 35 years,” said Thompson, who has been scoutmaster the last three years. He added that the troop has taken a couple of camping trips to northern Michigan. Troup said his troop took a special trip to the Wisconsin Dells, which is located at the central part of the state.

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