Troop 6 History

This page serves to organize the history of Troop 6.  Many sources were used or have contributed in the preparation of this account.  Some of these sources include Chester County Council, BSA (cccbsa); The Chester County Historical Society (cchs); The Daily Local News (daily local),  J.B.Rettew's book, "The Spirit of the Horseshoe" (JBR) and Troop 6's own records (6xx).  A special thanks to Bill Waxbom (6ww), form Scoutmaster & Asst Scoutmaster of 6 for his help and encouragement.  In some cases newspaper accounts have been reproduced in the language of the day rather than paraphrased.

History Quick links:    1910-1950     1951-1970     1971-1990     1991-Present 

Scoutmasters              

Always...

Troop 6 was originally established as West Chester Troop 1 on December 10, 1910.  West Chester Troop 1's first Scoutmaster, Henry Coleman, was one of the first 1000 'certified' in the United States.

In April, 1911 Mr Coleman was named "Scout Commissioner of the City of West Chester" by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America.  His commission was signed by James E West. 

In the early years, before a local council existed, troops were numbered consecutively in each town.  West Chester had five troops, 1 - 5 along with a Troop No 6 of the Colored Boy Scouts of America.  Sometime before 1920 and not long after the Chester County Council was established, there was an effort to eliminate duplicate troop numbers in the council.  At that time West Chester Troop 1 became Troop 6.

1910 - 1950    On February 2, 1910 West Chester Troop 1 is formed, some eight years before the Boy Scouts of America chartered a local Council in Chester County.

February 9, 1918 - "Yesterday was the eighth anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.  The occasion was appropriately celebrated at the Y.M.C.A. last night by Troop 1.  Almost the entire troop was present and a jolly birthday party took place.  The meeting was conducted according to the order of business prescribed by the national headquarters for the occasion, an important feature was that at 8:15 all scouts over the country , 295,000 strong, repeated the scout oath and the pledge to the flag." (cchs/daily local)

1918 - Chester County Council is organized and West Chester Troop 1 is renamed Troop 6 in an effort to uniquely number all troops in the council.  

In 1920 John Jacob became the first member of the Troop to earn Scouting's highest rank, Eagle Scout.  It would 1926 before another member of the Troop attained this honor, and by 1950 only sixteen more scouts would become Eagle Scouts.  Years later John Jacob would land a bi-plane on the then barren flag pole hill at Camp Horseshoe. (6ww)

October 14, 1919 - "Troop 1 of West Chester had the distinction of being the first troop of the county to take up Sea Scouting.  Seascouting is a branch of the Boy Scouts of America and is planned to take care of the interests of boys who have nearly completed the land scout programme.  It requires much more brain work and manual work than landscouting.  Therefore a boy must be fifteen years of age before he can join; must be a first class scout and must weigh at least 112 pounds.  There are five classes of Seascouts, the sloop, schooner, barkentine, bark and ship.  In landscouting the work is individual but in seascouting it is team work, the unit being a crew of eight or nine.  Promotion is made by crews." (cchs/daily local)

1926 - Harold Schramm attains the rank of Eagle Scout.  Harold is one of the scouts taken to the Reynolds farm to select the site of Camp Horseshoe.  Later in life he will become Post 6's advisor (6ww).

1929 - The Council conducted a Junior Leaders' Conference in the spring this year at West Chester High School. Chairman for the event was Harold Schramm, Troop 6 West Chester. By all reports, it was one of the best of such sessions held for our leaders. Mr. William Hillcourt attended the Conference to "provide a few words of interest and to help every Scout." Mr. Hillcourt wrote the "Patrol Leaders' Handbook" and until his death in 1992 played an important role in developing other manuals for Scouts, including his popular versions of the Boy Scout Handbook and the Scout Field Book. In his later years he was probably better known to Scouts and Scouters alike as "Green Bar Bill." Following the day long conference a camp reunion took place. (JBR)

1938 - In May, a strong wind forced a fire from adjoining properties to jump the Octoraro Creek and burn through part of the Camp Horseshoe Reservation. Camps Carson, Crockett and Taylor were destroyed along with a large tract of woods. Many Scouts, hearing this news rallied and went to Camp to assist in the clean-up and to help put camp back in order for the approaching season. The Council Board reacted swiftly and secured bids for reconstructing the camps. All but the Taylor site were ready at the opening of Camp. Bob Lorgus, a Scout in West Chester 6 (and Past President of the Council) remembers that time and his trip to camp to help. Bill Sellers of Troop 50 (later a Council Board Member), who was on the 1938 Camp Staff at Handicraft, headed up a group of Scouts from his troop to aid (JBR)

1939 - Sakima Ossie Spellman, D.D.S., now Scoutmaster of West Chester Troop 6, was in charge of 1939's W.W.W. Lodge Banquet. Attending the third annual banquet were fifty Octoraro Lodge members. Dr. John R. Hart, Rector of the Valley Forge Chapel, was the speaker and gave every one something to think about. (JBR)

1944 - It was customary in the war period to include reports of our service men in the Trail Blazer. This year there were many mentions of exceptional service of our former Scouts. "Ossie" Spellman, who had been Scoutmaster of Troop 6, reported in from the service as did former Assistant Scout Executive "Danny" Dannenberg. Some reports listed our "Gold Star" Scouts and those who were wounded or missing in action.(JBR)

1946 - Dr. Elwood "Ossie" Spellman, Scoutmaster Troop 6 returned from the service. He and his wife opened our Annual Meeting of the Council leading in the singing of "America" and after dinner lead the singing of a number of songs to settle the fine dinner served by the Alert Fire Company Auxiliary. Dr. Swope presided over the business meeting and introduced Chief Lester by extending the thanks of our Council and Board for his exceptional leadership and the fine teamwork on the part of our Headquarters' Staff. An exceptional Annual Report was prepared attesting to the Council's strong leadership. It listed all of the Council's Leadership as well as that of each of the five Districts including Scout Troops and the twelve Eagle Scouts.(JBR)

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1951 - 1970    Over this twenty year period, fifty four more scouts earned the rank of Eagle Scout while in Troop 6.

1951 - Dr. Arthur A. Schuck attended the Council Annual Meeting and took place in the impressive Silver Beaver award ceremony with President Wiese, Dr. Earl F. Sykes and Dr. J. Elmer Gotwals. Paul S. Carnathan, Scoutmaster West Chester Troop 66, and George P. Orr, Council Board Member, were recognized. Paul S. Carnathan had joined Scouting in 1921 as a "Lone Scout." He became an Eagle Scout and was associated with Troop 6 and became its Scoutmaster. Later he became Scoutmaster of Troop 68. He was a Vigil Honor member of the Octoraro Lodge and served as its Secretary. Mr. Orr had served on the Council's Board since 1931. He helped in the establishment of the Council's Trust Fund and dealt with the various Community Chests in behalf of the Council. (JBR)

1952 - Scouter's Key awards were made by Edgar H. Haldeman, Chairman of the Leadership Training Committee, to Evans H. Warner, Berwyn 11 Scoutmaster, Henry W. Hennesey, Cubmaster of Pack 47 of Strafford, A. P. Breuninger, Cubmaster of Coatesville Pack 74 and Warren R. Gray, former Scoutmaster of West Chester Troop 6. Scouter's awards were presented to Forrest L. Lenker of District 2 Training Committee, Edward A. Pennington Chairman of District 2, Milton Bedford of Troop 7 and C. M. Happersett, Neighborhood Commissioner of District 1. (JBR)

1957 - "Ossie" Spellman began as a boy in Willistown Troop 27 which eventually became Troop 78. He earned the Eagle rank, served as Scoutmaster of Troop 78 and then as Scoutmaster of West Chester Troop 6 in 1939. He had served on the Camp Staff and in many capacities on the District and Council level in his nearly 30 years of Scouting experience. (JBR)

1958 - "Last Sunday afternoon a brief Memorial Service was held at Camp Horseshoe, Rising Sun, MD.  Some 100 scouts and their families gathered in the camp dining hall to dedicate a plaque erected in the memory of Robert Guerard Mackey, a former Eagle Scout of Troop 6, West Chester, who lost his life by drowning at camp on July 1, 1953." (Daily Local) Click here for the full text of the article When the accident occurred there was no telephone available in camp, as a result Troop 6 dug holes for telephone poles from the nearest phone service in Lancaster County to Camp.  A plaque was placed in headquarters commemorating this event.   

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1971 - 1990     Thirty seven members of Troop 6 attained the rank of Eagle during this period, the 100th being Bruce Ivey in 1988. The complete list includes Ted Sookiasian, Andrew Rabin, Todd Sepella, Christopher Johns, Richard T. Wong, Robert S. Grant, Douglas S. Barish, George M Haughton, John E. Jacobs, Timothy W. Hoover, Eric Muhs, Peter K Hoover, Lance W. Foss, James E O'Neill, Gerald J. Waldron, Mark S. Harootunian, John Muhs, Sanjiu Naidu, Kevin O'Neill, H. Dean Moore Jr, Jon Gregory Allen, Christopher Rubicam, Eric H. Venema, LeRoy J.C. Harris, Eric J. Pyle, Robert P. DiBella, Brian Raichle, Micheal S. McKinney, Micheal D. Warfell, Paul M. Caron, Paul J Wesson, John A Williams, Andrew K. Porter, Brooke W. Davis, Jr., Bruce Ivey, Ray Wolfgang and Justin Desporito earned the rank of Eagle Scout between 1971 and 1990.

1972 - Ossie Spellman continued his active role with his West Chester Troop 6. He came to Camp almost every summer with his boys since he was a camper and staff member in the 1930's. Dick Bennett, Council Executive, recalls this experience about Ossie:

"Ossie, when he was Stockade Leader of Boonesboro in the 1930's, would return to his cabin after dinner each evening to read a book. In the 1980's Ossie was again a Troop Leader at Camp. One evening, as he had done as a youth, he was sitting in the leader's cabin reading when two men sauntered into the Boonesboro site. As they were walking in, one remarked to the other that he had been a camper in this campsite in his youth and remembered that his Stockade leader would traditionally return and read a book after dinner each evening. What a surprise it was for that former camper to find Ossie in that familiar spot on that evening! They had a great time reminiscing."(JBR)

1975 - At the Recognition Dinner, organized by Art McGinnes, J. Lee Everett, III, President of Philadelphia Electric, was the featured speaker. Scout Executive Walt Ryan recognized the fine service of Donald Givler for the past three years as President with a statuette.  Don Givler was cited for his Scouting that began as a boy in Illinois. He had served on the Committee of West Chester Troop 6 and on the Council Board since 1965. He had been Council President from 1972 to 1975.(JBR)

1977 - Bill Waxbom, Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, was Associate Advisor of Post 6, West Chester, and then Advisor from 1958 to 1962. He was Scoutmaster of Troop 6 in 1970-1971 and then Assistant Scoutmaster from 1971 to 1976. He was involved with the Lenni-Lenape District in a number of different capacities. He was Wood Badge member; served as a Staff member at the 1957 Jamboree and at the 1973 Jamboree. (JBR)

In 1979, Ossie Spellman, Troop 6's Scoutmaster for most of the period from 1939 until 1985, is honored with the Distinguished Scoutmaster's Award, one of the six awarded annually. (6ww)

In 1981, Ossie is awarded the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. (6ww) 

1983 - The next Silver Beaver citation was for Bob Lorgus who was a Scout in West Chester Troop 6 as a boy. He counts among his Scouting activities his camping days at Horseshoe and particularly the devastating fire at Camp when he went to help in the clean up. He served as Council President and during his term we had the largest gain in membership in a decade, the largest Philmont Contingent, highest Camp attendance and the inauguration of the Computer Camp and Science Energy Camp. He took a leadership role in securing funds for the expansion and renovation of the Horseshoe Reservation. He was a Brotherhood member of the Octoraro Lodge 22. (6ww)

1985 - Eagle Scout Carl Lauffer became a Scout in 1924 in Gilead, Ohio. From 1939 to 1943 he was an Assistant Scoutmaster of a troop in Lebanon, Pennsylvania and then held the same position in a New Jersey troop. He also served as an Explorer Advisor for one of the first Explorer Posts in the Nation in 1944-45. From 1970 to 1985 Carl was an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 6 in West Chester. After a stint as Advancement Chairman for the Lenni-Lenape District, he became a Board member and Council Advancement Chairman. He has also maintained an active interest in the Council's Exploring and Career Awareness Programs. (JBR)

1990 - The Philmont expeditions rated high again for adventure in the southwestern part of the country. Meanwhile, we had two troops hit the trail for the Maine High Adventure Base at Matagamon. Both Troops 6 and 222 had a challenging trip into the Maine Wilderness and enjoyed the excitement offered on their canoe adventure (JBR)

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1991 - 2000    Troop 6 awarded twenty Eagle awards in this ten year period, including a set of three brothers - Sean, Adam & Douglas Ziegler.  John McGlade became Troop 6's 125th Eagle in 2000.

1991 - The Council had eleven crews at the Philmont Scout Ranch on a "mountain top" experience. Among the leaders were Chuck Kelly of Troop 22, Fletcher Swanson of Troop 6 and Bill Cass of Troop 21. Bill Cass had been a Staff member at Philmont for a number of years as a youth. This time, he was returning as a member of Chester County Council Expedition #730E-11 with his son, Will, at his side. Bill, upon being urged, wrote the following piece illustrating a day - "Day Four" - on the trail at Philmont:

"We are up early today since this will be one of the two toughest days of our Philmont expedition. Our ranger beckons us to follow him to Inspiration Point, a rugged outcropping above Urraca Camp. Here, we gaze out across the prairie which is punctuated with the occasional mesa. It is beautiful, and certainly in contrast to the wooded, rolling hills of Chester County. Our immediate view is dominated by the Tooth of Time to our left; four miles in front and below us Camping Headquarters reposes in the midst of this sweeping scenery.

Todd, our ranger will leave us today, and is satisfied that we are "safe" enough to be turned loose on our own. Thanks to the training given by Chester County Council, there never was any doubt about the outcome of our preparation for this adventure. Nevertheless, we listen to Todd's parting wisdom. He exhorts us to treat this special land with great care, and asks us to seal our conviction by signing the 'wilderness pledge cards' which we endorse on the spot.

Our crew chief presents Todd with a souvenir neckerchief, and then we clamber down from our rocky perch. Todd slings his pack over his shoulder, goes one way, and we another. We are immediately bound for the top of Urraca Mesa via a series of long switch backs which leave us breathless. We are not yet acclimated to the rarefied air through which we now strain at over 7000 feet above sea level.

Many of us are hoping that it won't get any tougher than what we are going through-- it could be much worse since there are some trails that go straight up without switch backs. Finally, we emerge onto the top of Urraca Mesa, and now glide along a jeep trail so rocky that it must be a true threat to the axles and wheels of all vehicles who dare try it. We step gingerly since a twisted ankle is the last thing we want to encounter.

After a half hour of easy hiking through scrub oak, we come to the edge of the great mesa, and greeted with another broad vista dominated by La Grulla Ridge in the distance. At the western quarter of the valley floor, the Rayado River tumbles out its canyon, and becomes a river of the prairie. The waters of this "river" are no broader or deeper than our beloved Octoraro or Brandywine, but they are colder, faster, and will travel much further -- to the Gulf of Mexico via Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers. But, we are wasting time.

"Is anybody not ready?" cries our point man. We heave our packs onto shoulders amidst the occasional grunt (perhaps we have some budding sumo wrestlers or weight lifters in our midst so noticeable is the verbal response to lifting 40 pounds to one's back).

We are now on a descending traverse of Urraca Mesa's southern wall. It is an enjoyable trail for not the least of which reasons is that it goes down. Our joy is short-lived as we reach Stonewall Pass. We pause briefly, not to swill water form our canteens, mop brows, or to lean on the small stone fence, but to quickly check our maps which reveal that our mettle is about to be tried.

This is indeed a nasty trail, steep. Narrow. Almost a snaking, furrow in the earth, punctuated with a small boulder here and there. This one must be a real grind in the rain.

"Stop!" our line leader gasps.

"Whew, it's about time."

"How much more of this is there?"

When can we take a break with our packs off?"

We are now into a ritual which will be repeated increasingly on this portion of the trail. We all stand close together in position of this narrow path. Almost simultaneously, half of the crew members turn their back on everybody else. We are not being rejected, but signaled to reach into the other guy's pack pocket to retrieve the canteen which is almost impossible for all but a contortionist to retrieve alone. Then the procedure is repeated for the rest of us. Several seconds of feverish "glug-glug-glug" follow, sweat is wiped from brows, canteens are replaced, and not-so-enthusiastic voice calls, "Is anybody not ready?"

After what seems like ages, we are in a deep woods marked by really large boulders, and a trail which is not so steep anymore. But, there isn't much spring left in our steps now. A crew from Arizona roars on by us. Maybe we'd roar by people too if we hadn't all been living at less than 400 feet above sea level lately.

It is around 11 o'clock, and time for a serious pack off rest break. After about ten minutes of swigging some more fluid and downing an energy bar, we are off on another trail which traverses the southern side of Fowler Mesa. No complaints on this stretch since it is essentially all level hiking and, miracle of miracles, some actual downhill. This has been a year of bountiful rain in northern New Mexico so there is a profusion of flora, especially in the little glens where the intermittent streams are now regular, babbling little brooks. Indian paintbrush is every where.

We pass Bear Caves, an unstaffed, trail camp whose bears are obviously vacationing elsewhere. Soon we reach signs o civilization: water pipe, fire rings, and campsites. We have arrived at Crater Lake Camp. We sprawl by the lodge, and start lunch, much to the delight of platoons of ground squirrels which scurry all over our packs in hopes of cornering a loose morsel.

Most of us are pretty well played out. The switch backs out of Urraca and the hard trail out of Stonewall Pass have taken their toll. But we've made it this far without problems, and the scenery is breathtaking. The sobering fact remains; we still have a long, long way to go, and most of it is UP.

More groans and clenched teeth marking the donning our burdens.

We pause for a group picture next to the lodge, and then head up the jeep trail for a couple of hundred yards to a trail sign. Dominating our view is Trail Peak which we can se above the many pines. We cannot see the top of our immediate destination, Fowler Pass, but it is there and we've got some serious climbing in front of us.

Within moments, the song of the trail starts up. There are no voices since we need our breath for other purposes. This symphony is composed of all the noises made by a crew as it hikes among the giant ponderosas and an increasing number of tall aspens. There is the occasional shower of pebbles falling to the ground as somebody stubs his foot on the trail. The creaking of pack straps, the sloshing of water in half empty canteens. Clanging of pots and pans tied to the packs. The occasional grunt. Clackety-clack of walking sticks planted on rocks in the trail. The swish of nylon brushing against tree branches along the trail. Labored breathing. Maybe a snarl after feet collide.

"Stop!" And with good reason. This is tough -- not many switch backs. This is a short break. It lasts only long enough to catch our breaths. Reach for the other guy's canteen. Give it to him. My turn. Glug-glug. Put it back. Wipe faces now slimy with a film of perspiration and trail dust.

So quickly the perspiration evaporates once we are standing still, though. And no wonder with this breeze and practically no humidity. The gentle breeze carries the warm scent of pine. How in contrast to Chester County where we can almost cut the humidity and haze with a knife.

From several hundred feet below us we hear another troop taking a break. They are from our Council, too, and hike the same itinerary. They shall not catch us. We turn and have at it again.

We're all probably thinking the same things after several hundred yards.

"Why am I doing this? This pack is killin' me, and it felt so good this morning. At least, my feet are OK -- no blisters and I'm not gonna get any either. I gotta get that pot strapped on better next time. Man, that was a weird looking blue jay we saw back there. How much more of this pass have we got to go? Lord, I can just hear my heart poundin' away. When we get to wherever we're headed, I'm just goin' to lie down flat on my back for half an hour. And then go barefoot. When's he going to call a break? I gotta have more than this lemon-lime drink, I need some food. I need some chocolate or something. We really looked sharp yesterday. Bet we showed that ranger. Got that fly and bearbags up first thing. Oh, boy, this trail is killin' me. Wonder what Mom's doing at home now. It's two in the afternoon here, so what is it at home? Noon, or is it later. Or what? Well, I don't have to carry that Trail Supper #3 after tonight, and maybe I'll get rid of the breakfast #3 too. That'll feel great. Gee, I never saw a sky any bluer than this one. Call a break, man. Cut me one will ya?

But the break didn't come. And with that came the realization that if the next crew could make it, maybe we could too.

At the top of the uppermost switch back in view there was some sort of gravel slide, which, when we got there, was revealed to be the jeep trail again. Several broad switch backs were negotiated after which we broke out on top of the pass. Homestretch, here we are! There is plenty of chatter now that we aren't fighting for every breath, and the conversation dwells upon girls, cars, movies, music, videos, and Mom's cooking.

Within half and hour, we are descending on the trail to Bonita Creek. And a few minutes later, the creek has been Bonita Creek. And a few minutes later, the creek has been crossed, pack shed, boots replace with sneaker, and our campsite at Lower Bonita is secured. Tents up. Dining fly up. Bearbags up. Water bags up. Hey, maybe time for a little frisbee.

We are almost in heaven. Well, 2000 feet higher than we were this morning, anyway. And 7 miles further into our adventure. We got it made. A level campsite in a glen, a brilliant carpet of wildflowers all around us, the sweet scent of those flowers and the pines, blue sky above, a spring with rushing, cold water, and Trail Peak soaking skyward just across the valley. Man, it just doesn't get any better than this when you're part of a Chester County Council Philmont expedition!" (JBR)

1993 - The National Jamboree was especially memorable for the six Council Troops that attended along with their leaders. This summer Philmont also shared in the High Adventure experiences for the Scouts. Troop 6 of West Chester traveled to the Sommers Canoe base in Minnesota where they canoed the waters of Banery Bay and other wilderness spots. (JBR)

1994 - "Henderson senior honored for saving a trapped woman's life"

The car of a West Whiteland Township woman, hitting a patch of ice was sent sliding into the icy water of a pond and turned over on its roof. The woman had managed to free herself of her seat belt, but she could not open the car door, which was jammed against the mud. The water was starting to come up over her head when she heard the crash of a window. An arm reached in and pulled her to safety. The person who pulled her to safety was Kevin Dougherty who happened along in a car with friends at the time of the accident. Police Officer Sandra Smith, at the accident scene, asked for help and Kevin jumped in the water to make the rescue.!

2000 marked the last year the Troop held its annual 'new scout' spring campout at Brooke Davis' farm as it was sold off for development.  The Troop sent a contingent off to the Halliburton Scout Reservation near Toronto..   

2001    Matt Whitehead, Ryan M. J. Hagerty, Henri Scott and Matt Marvin earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2001.
  The annual 'new scout' campout was moved to the Brandywine Valley Association's property south of Marshallton.  The troop numbered 55 at re-charter, with a venture crew of 6.  The activity calendar included twenty seven events between September and June including Seven camping trips, Three hikes, a backpacking trip and a whitewater trip among other events.  22 members of the troop made the trip to the 2001 Jamboree at Fort A. P. Hill along with Mr. Myhre who assumes the role of 2nd Assistant Scoutmaster.

2002    Connor Harrison assumes the role of Scoutmaster, replacing Charles Christy.  Seven young men earn the rank of Eagle this year ( Evan Scott, Kevin C Myhre, William Anderson, Thomas Murray, Dan Farrell, Tim Lair and Alex Christy ), perhaps the most in any one year in the troop's history.  Two crews made the trip to the Florida Sea Base.  Assistant Scoutmaster Chuck Christy led the effort to build a pavilion at  Boonsboro, the Troop's campsite at Camp Horseshoe.   The Venture Crew spent a week in the White Mountains in August.

2003     Jim Thompson accepts the position of Scoutmaster replacing Connor Harrison.  Two crews will set off to the Bissett Canoe base in the Northern Tier High adventure Area this year.   The Troop will return to the Haliburton Scout Reserve near Toronto as well as spend two weeks at Horsehoe.  Other program highlights include a camping / hiking trip to Gettysburg PA, the Six Flags camporee in New Jersey, Whitewater rafting and a Trip to New York City.  Kevin Toth, William Ronayne and Joshua Hartshorne earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2003.

2004     In March, former Scoutmaster Connor Harrison is awarded the district award of merit for his work in Scouting.  In addition to being active in Troop 6, Mr. Harrison has served as Popcorn chairman for the district, has worked to launch several new units simultaneously serving on the committees of those units while registered with 6.  Perhaps the first time this has occurred since Ossie was Scoutmaster for 78 & 6 at the same time!  Mr. Thompson & Mr. Barr are appointed assistant course directors for the council's wood badge course, NE-IV-163.  Two Crews (18 boys & 6 adults) set off for Philmont in July.  The trek started at Lover's Leap opposite the Tooth of Time where it would end 10 days and some 64 miles later.  Despite the Troop's 80% rule, all participants returned more or less in one piece.  Cory Harrision, Ryan Smith, Jonathan Seeley, Jeff Lair, Adrian Mauer and Eric Verbovszky earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2004.

2005    17 Troop 6 Scouts attend the National Jamboree from June 25th to August 3rd at Fort A.P. Hill in Caroline County, Virginia.  Mr. Thompson is appointed Scoutmaster of one of the council's Jamboree Troops and Mr. Westlake and Kevin Toth are appointed 2nd and 3rd assistant Scoutmasters.  The Troop bids for slots at Philmont in '06 with an interest list of 16 boys and 8 adults, we don't prevail in the lottery, but Chester County Council offers a crew of 12 so Troop 6 is heading back to Philmont in the Summer of 2006.  The Troop's 150th Eagle, James Ronayne, is joined by five others in 2005: Douglas Pittman, Richard Randall, Brandon Smith, Shaun Christy and Miles Scott

 2007    In addition to the traditional stay at Boonesboro, Troop 6 will return to the Florida Keys with three crews this summer.  We will also return to Philmont in 2008 with two crews having been confirmed by the ranch.  Justin Lehr replaced Ian Kelmartin as SPL in March.

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Scoutmasters

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Vigil Members - Octoraro Lodge #22

Paul S. Carnathan    William Waxbom    Eric Lorgus

Rodney Waters II    Elwood Spellman    Lynn Ziegler

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Silver Beaver

Paul S. Carnathan

Robert Lorgus

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