A Century of Scouting
The oldest troop west of the Mississippi, La Jolla Boy Scout Troop 4, celebrated its 100th year with a birthday cake and lots of upcoming special events.
About Boy Scouts of America
• Incorporated: Feb. 8, 1910, chartered by Congress in 1916
• Purpose: To provide an educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop personal fitness.
• Councils: 300 nationwide
• Scout Motto: Be Prepared (which means you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your duty).
About Troop 4
• Meetings: 6:45 p.m. Mondays at La Jolla
Presbyterian Church, 7715 Draper Ave.
• New Members: Boys or parents interested in scouting
are welcome to drop by and see the program in action.
• Website: troop4lajolla.com
• Scoutmaster: Denis Tarakjian
• Chairman: Harry Hixon
• Centennial Committee Co-chairs: Micki Olin, Kim Alessio and Jim Rodisch
By Dave Schwab
Boy Scout Troop 4 of La Jolla — the oldest troop west of the Mississippi — celebrated its 100th anniversary with a group photo and birthday cake in La Jolla Presbyterian Church’s courtyard. where the troop meets weekly.
The actual “birth date” of Troop 4 is May 1, 1912.
According to leaders, the celebration will continue through the year with various service projects and events, and culminate Saturday, Nov. 24, with a catered dinner for past and present Scouts, and their parents.
Currently, the troop, which serves ages 11-18, has more than 40 active Scouts and numerous others, mostly Eagle Scouts, who pay dues to remain part of the fun.
“There’s a lot of history, heritage and tradition here,” said Scoutmaster Denis Tarakjian. “Boy Scouts strives to help its members develop as young men, and this troop also tries to instill civic values in its charges, so they become responsible citizens who appreciate and enjoy nature while respecting the outdoors.”
A special cake was prepared for the 100th anniversary of Boy Scout Troop 4 of La Jolla. Courtesy
To this end, Scouts, especially “Eagles”, take on service projects to help the community. Recently, the troop volunteered at the La Jolla Half Marathon race, which raises more than $200,000 annually for local charities.
At the troop’s 75th birthday, one of the original Scouts, Bert Wilber, told the group that in his day, Scouts wore old breeches and puttees, high-necked jackets and hobnail boots. He also remembered that in the early 20th century, Troop 4 camped in such “far away” places as Mount Soledad and Torrey Pines.
The modern Troop 4 is more likely to be white water rafting the Kern River, heading to summer camp in Emerald Bay on Catalina Island, and taking off for a week of high adventure camping and hiking in the Sierras.
What accounts for Troop 4’s longevity?
“I think the values that the Boy Scouts embody, and the fact that we’ve had very strong support from our sponsoring institutions, La Jolla Presbyterian Church and La Jolla Kiwanis Club,” said Troop Committee Chairman Harry Hixon, noting the organization’s values: Be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
“Those are timeless values and that’s what we stand for,” Hixon said.
Related posts:
- Troop 4 honors four new Eagle Scouts in La Jolla
- Several holiday church concerts in La Jolla this Sunday
- BEST BETS to help you plan the week ahead, Dec. 2-11
- Always on call: Hospital continues ‘Miss Ellen’s’ legacy of giving
- Lectures to ease grief, separation start on Tuesdays
Short URL: http://www.lajollalight.com/?p=63483
Posted by Susan DeMaggio
on May 10, 2012. Filed under La Jolla Life, Life.
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