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For almost 100 years boys and dads (and some moms) have been gathering in a "Sooner log cabin" in the basement of First Presbyterian Church to learn knot-tying, plan camping trips and to recite the oath " On my honor I promise to do my best..." |
Troop 1 is the oldest troop in the Indian Nations Council and one of the oldest in the nation. The Boy Scouts of America was founded on February 8, 1910. On May 10 that year, a Sunday School class at First Christian Church formed a Scout troop. Fred Bossard became its first Scoutmaster, but unable to convince the Sunday School superintendent that Scouting was not a military organization, the Troop was moved to First Presbyterian Church in early 1911. Our Scout Room was built in 1925 and looks much the same as it did after a remodel in 1933 when many of the Scouting symbols you still see on its walls and beams were wood burned. The history of Troop 1 - and Tulsa itself - is written on the knotty-pine walls of our meeting room. Pictures of campouts and ribbons and awards from hundreds of scouting events tell of our rich tradition. Countless names are penciled and wood burned on the rough-sawn wood, including one of our newest names, Former Gov. Frank Keating.
Community service has been a hallmark of Scouting and Troop 1 from the beginning. In addition to hundreds of service projects led by Eagle Scouts over the years, the Troop distinguished itself during World War I by scouting walnut groves for the Army to make propeller blades, harvesting a peach crop in Perry, OK, and helping build an "Arch of Triumph" for a downtown parade for returning soldiers. Troop 1 provided the Guard of Honor when General John J. Pershing visited Tulsa in 1921. Troop 1 joined other Tulsa troops to help register African American citizens for food and clothing following the race riot in 1921. More recently, Eagle projects rendered service to public schools, homeless and disadvantaged children, the Tulsa animal shelter, the Red Cross, churches and the handicapped.
Of course, camping has always been a focus in Scouting. In the early years, Troop 1 camped in many of the same places we now camp: Camp Euchee, NE of Sand Springs (near what is now John Zink Ranch), Camp Parthenia (now Camp Loughridge) and, since 1925, Camp Garland. In 1937 Troop 1 attended the first National Jamboree in Washington, D.C. In the summer of 1997 and 2001 Troop 1 attended the National Jamborees at Ft. A.P. Hill near Washington, D.C., and is currently planning its trip to the 2010 Centennial Jamboree. Today, our campouts include weekend camping each month of the year at numerous locations in the region, canoeing, and backpacking treks in the Rocky mountains as well as Summer Camp at Hale Scout Reservation.
Today, Troop 1 has 100+ registered Scouts and 50+ adult leaders, making it one of the largest troops in Indian Nations Council. We meet every Monday night and camp once a month.
As we begin a new century, Troop 1 intends to both honor and continue the tradition of excellence, leadership and Scouting principals established so many years ago.
1950 Scrapbook - 40th Anniversary Celebration
Recollections of Troop 1 1947-1953