Boy Scouts of America

History of Troop 653

October 21, 2012

Table of Contents History of Scouting ......................................................... 2

History of Troop 653 ....................................................... 4

Troop Traditions ............................................................. 6

Adult Leaders ................................................................. 8

Scout Leaders .............................................................. 10

Advancement ............................................................... 12

Eagle Scouts ................................................................ 14

In Memory .................................................................... 17

Order of the Arrow ........................................................ 18

Camp Geronimo ........................................................... 20

High Adventures ........................................................... 26

Backpacking Trips ........................................................ 32

Car Camp Trips ............................................................ 35

Day Trips ...................................................................... 39

Camp Geronimo

2000

1

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America

is to prepare young people to make ethical

and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the

values of the Scout Oath and Law.

2

History of Scouting

In 1907 Baden Powell formed the Boy Scouts in England. He

had previously been in the English Military and he used those

skills to teach young men.

The first scout camp was held at Brown Sea Island.

The following year, Baden Powell wrote a series of magazines

called Scouting for Boys.

William D. Boyce was an American newspaper man.

According to legend, he was lost on a foggy street in London

when an unknown Scout came to his aid, guiding him back to

his destination. The boy then refused Boyce's tip, explaining

that he was merely doing his duty as a Boy Scout.

Immediately afterwards, Boyce met with General Robert

Baden-Powell, who was the head of the Boy Scout Association

at that time. Boyce returned to America, and, four months

later, founded the Boy Scouts of America. – Wikipedia

In 1910 the Boy Scouts was founded in the United States.

Scouting grew rapidly throughout the United States. It

eventually became the largest youth organization in the country

Robert Baden-Powell

was founder of the

scouting movement in

England in 1907

3

“In all of this, it is the spirit that matters. Our Scout law and Promise, when we really put them into

practice, take away all occasion for wars and strife among nations.” Baden Powell

Scout Oath

Scout Law

Scout Motto

Be Prepared

Scout Slogan

Do a good turn daily

William D. Boyce

organized scouting

in America. In

1910 it was

officially

incorporated.

4

History of Troop 653

In 1966, Troop 653 was formed in Mesa, Arizona.

They first met at Central Christian Church at the

Hobson Street Campus at 315 N. Hobson.

The Troop was originally part of the Theodore

Roosevelt Council.

Eventually Central Christian Church outgrew their

campus on Hobson and they started meeting at

Mountain View High School.

When the Church started meeting at the High

School, the Boy Scout Troop found it difficult to

meet. They couldn’t really use the facilities during

the week. In the late 70’s the troop died off.

In 1987 the Troop was reconstituted at the new

Central Christian campus at Lindsay Road and

Adobe in Mesa.

The current charter date for the Troop is February

1st, 1987.

The Troop has attended Camp Geronimo since

1987. The scouts have earned Big G Gold every

year since then.

In 1970, 1972 and 1973 the Troop earned First

Awards at Scout-o-rama.

The Troop earned the National Camping Award in

1996 and 1998.

The Troop has excelled in prior Maverick

Camporees. In 2002 they earned the President’s

Award and the coveted None Better Award. In

2003 they earned second place.

Troop 653 at Camp

Geronimo in 1987

5

Camporee 1987 Camporee 1987

Camporee 1987

Webelos Weekend 1988

Geronimo 1996

Scout O Rama 1998

6

Troop Traditions

Troop 653 has a long standing tradition of outdoor

activity. The troop holds at least one camping

activity every month.

At every Camporee the Troop cooks the infamous

“Turkey in a Box”. This dinner has delighted many

a boy scout and senior Webelos. In addition, many

guests have been invited to feast at the table of 653.

District commissioners, scout executives, council

representatives, and even a group of Civil War re-

enactors have eaten turkey dinners.

In 2002 the Troop went to Philmont National Scout

Base. Every year since, the troop has had a high

adventure for the older scouts.

The Troop has attended Camp Geronimo since

1987. The Big G award is a program designed to

build cohesive troops at camp. It has become a long

standing tradition that the Troop earn the highest

award given to troops – Big G Gold.

A special tradition with the Troop is the Golden

Rock Award. This is an award given to a scout that

demonstrates the Scout Oath or Scout Law in a

special way.

The Troop wears black hats and neckerchiefs. This

tradition dates back to 1987 when the troop was

reformed. Scouts in the first Court of Honor

received the black hats and neckerchiefs. They have

been wearing them ever since.

The Memorial Day weekend campout to Black

River has become a long standing tradition. This

has been named the favorite campout by many a

scout and leader.

Troop 653 is known for good cooking. Leaders and

older scouts teach younger scouts to cook on stoves,

charcoal, and the open fire. Dutch oven deserts

such as pineapple up-side down cake, peach

cobbler, and pumpkin pie are among the favorites.

Troop 653 has a tradition of service. Service to the

community, to the scouts and to others.

1987

Scouts receiving

black hat and

neckerchief

7

Black River 2005

Golden Rock

Big G Gold Service Project

First Turkey in a Box

2002 Philmont Crew Camp Geronimo 2000

8

Adult Leaders

Scoutmasters

1966 Dave Seagraves

1988 Drew Rosholm

1989 Gary Reems

1990 Bob Ewald

2004 Tim Wolfe

2011 Mark Knowles

Committee Chairman

2000 Bob Rooney

2006 Bill Meacham

2008 Mike Lentz

2011 Cole Eberson

Charter Organization Representative

Joe Mayes

Wayne Churchman

2002 Brad Klingaman

2010 Rick Wagner

Advancement Chairman

1999 Tom and Barb Walker

2006 Jill Falkenberg

“The

Scoutmaster

teaches boys to

play the game by

doing so

himself.”

Baden Powell Squirrelly, Squirrelly, Squirrelly 2001

Scoutmaster Gary Reems

9

Other Leaders

Adams, Sr., Rich

Barnes, Brian

Bausher, Jamie

Blair, Jennifer

Blodgett, Keith

Bowman, Kari

Bruneau, David

Burlison, Ernest

Capper, Lisa

Churchman, Dan

Collinsworth, Martin

Currier, Byron

D'Luzansky, John

Defeo, Don

Defeo, Mattie

Denomie, Kevin

Dorsey, Sherry

Douglas, Glenn

Dunne, Donald

Eder, Lon

Ewald, James

Flahive, Dan

Forrest, Michael

Hagar, David

Hanaoka, Alan

Harris, Jason

Hays, Timothy

Holmes, Jim

Hope, Steven

Hyland, Steve

Hyneman, Laura

Jeffery, Bob

Klenk, Mike

Klingaman, Brian

Knowles, Lisa

Knudson, Pete

Lentz, Mike

McDaniels, Gene

McGinnity, Joe

Meacham, Kathy

Miller, Gregory

Mulhern, Tom

Nichol, Richard

Nusser, Gary

Nusser, JoAnn

Olson, David

Olson, Doug

Olson, Robert

Patterson, John

Pfeister, Charles

Pfeister, Darita

Rasmussen, Jim

Richards, Glenn

Reed, Jason

Rudow, Jim

Salem, Ralph

Schneck, Chris

Sharpy, Paul

Simpson, Kenneth

Sexton, Blake

Strader, Robert

Straub, Frederick

Thompson, Scott

Tijerino, Roberto

Vaughan, Larry

Wagner, Angela

Weiland, Cynthia

White, Scott

Wilbrink, Berwyn

“Success in

training the boy

depends largely

on the

Scoutmaster's

own personal

example.”-

Baden Powell

10

Scout Leaders

“Scouting is a game for boys under the

leadership of boys under the direction of a

man.” – Baden Powell

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) program

offer’s our young men the strongest program

for developing core leadership values in our

Nation. In a truly Boy Led Troop (BLT), our

youth are provided a +6 year program in hands

on leadership, communications, ethical

decision making and team work learning

opportunity which is unmatched by any other

youth program today. It teaches "principle

over tactics, character over personality and

service over recognition" (Haines 2008).

Troop 653 develops young men into leaders by

allowing the scouts to lead the Troop and its

operations.

“The object of the

patrol method is not

so much saving the

Scoutmaster trouble

as to give

responsibility to the

boy.” – Baden

Powell Senior Patrol Leader 2001

11

Date Senior Patrol Leader Assistant Senior Patrol Leader

Fall ‘12 Ian Carver Johnathan D’Luzansky/Justin Knudson

Spring ‘12 Nicholas Green Ian Carver/Johnathan

D’Luzansky/Justin Knudson

Fall ‘11 Austin Miller Ian Blodgett

Spring ‘11 Erik Blodgett Austin Miller/Ian Blodgett

Fall ‘10 Josh Lentz Erik Blodgett

Spring ‘10 Zach Flahive Josh Lenz/Erik Blodgett

Fall ‘09 Kyle Dorsey Zac Flahive/Daniel Sharpy

Spring ‘09 Daniel Sharpy Kyle Dorsey/Zac Flahive

Fall ‘08 Kevin Burlison Sam Eder

Spring ‘08 Sam Eder Kevin Burlison

Fall ‘07 Kyle Patterson Cole Bausher

Spring ‘07 Cole Bausher Kyle Patterson

Fall ‘06 Tyler Klingaman Anthony Woolsey

Spring ‘06 Anthony Woolsey Tyler Klingaman

Fall ‘05 David Wolfe Tyler Lentz

Spring ‘05 Tyler Lentz David Wolfe

Fall ‘04 Chris Sexton Chris Lentz

Spring ‘04 Chris Lentz Chris Sexton

Fall ‘03 Pat Garrett Brandon Klingaman

Spring ‘03 Brandon Klingaman Pat Garrett

Fall ‘02 Scott Olson Nathan Wolfe

Spring ‘02 Nathan Wolfe Scott Olson

Fall ‘01 Danny Flahive Robert Walker

Spring ‘01 Robert Walker Danny Flahive

Fall ‘00 Byron Currier Michael Tiller

Spring ‘00 Michael Tiller Byron Currier

Fall ‘99 Brad Sanders Darren Rausch

Spring ‘99 Darren Rausch Brad Sanders

Fall ‘90 Jason Alofs Doug Smith

Spring ‘90 Eric Schultz Jason Alofs

Fall ‘89 David Paap Eric Schultz

Spring ‘89 Andrew Brady

Fall ‘87 Jeff Bird/Derek France David Goyette

Spring ‘87 Aaron Bradford

12

Advancement Advancement is the process by which youth members of the Boy Scouts of America progress from rank to

rank.

“Every Scouting activity moves boys toward three basic aims: character development, citizenship training,

and mental and physical fitness.” – Scoutmaster Handbook

“Advancement is one of the eight methods used by Scout leaders to help boys fulfill the aims of the BSA.” –

Scoutmaster Handbook

Troop 653 stresses rank advancement. Below is a chart showing the advancement of scouts by year that they

joined. Between 1999 and 2005 almost half of all the boys that joined Troop 653 obtained the rank of First

Class and over 1/3 of all the scouts obtained the rank of Eagle. .

year new

scouts 1st

class % 1st class eagle

% eagle

still active

% active

1999 23 14 61% 11 48% 0 0%

2000 13 8 62% 7 54% 0 0%

2001 17 7 41% 6 35% 0 0%

2002 14 3 21% 1 7% 0 0%

2003 10 6 60% 5 50% 0 0%

2004 15 7 47% 7 47% 0 0%

2005 15 5 33% 4 27% 0 0%

2006 24 11 46% 4 17% 5 21%

2007 8 7 88% 2 25% 6 75%

2008 11 5 45% 0 0% 3 27%

2009 25 18 72% 0 0% 15 60%

2010 23 6 26% 0 0% 11 48%

2011 21 1 5% 0 0% 17 81%

2012 16 1 6% 0 0% 16 100%

Total 235 99 42% 47 20% 73 31%

'99 to '05 107 50 47% 41 38% 0 0%

Geronimo 2006 Geronimo 2008

13

"The only thing

wrong with the

Boy Scout's is

there aren't

enough of

them"......Will

Rogers

1987 Court of Honor

14

Eagle Scouts

The Eagle Scout Award is the highest award

available to youth members of the Boy Scouts of

America. It is a recognition by the National Court

of Honor, presented through the local council and

a local court of honor.

It represents many years of dedicated effort, and

the successful completion of a long process which

started when the young man became a Boy Scout.

It is a demonstration of how people, working

together, can truly help mold a young man with a

solid sense of leadership, citizenship, and

responsibility.

Not every boy, nor every Scout, qualifies for the

high rank of Eagle.

1. The physical requirements are strenuous, as set

forth in the required merit badges.

2. Mental requirements are unusual and require

much more than average intelligence.

3. Perhaps an even more difficult and more

important requirement for the Eagle rank is the

personal character of the Scout as reflected in his

right attitudes toward God and the ideals of

Scouting, as reflected in his cooperation and

service to others in church, the home, school and

community.

The attainment of the Eagle Scout Rank is indeed

the highest honor that a Scout may achieve. Only

about 5% of all boys that join scouting earn the

rank of Eagle.

The Eagle Rank is

the highest rank in

scouting. Only

5% of all scouts

make it to Eagle.

Bahamas 2007

Camp Geronimo 2006

15

Troop 653 Eagle Scouts

Austin Miller (9/10/2012)

Nathan Diemer (6/11/12)

Chris Meacham (5/21/12)

Mark Jeffery (3/23/12)

Thomas Kemp (11/28/11)

Josh Lentz (8/22/11)

Zac Flahive (6/20/11)

Daniel Sharpy (11/1/10)

Kyle Patterson (9/27/10)

Zack Winton (8/30/10)

Parker Falkenberg (4/5/10)

Dylan Rasmussen (3/29/10)

Riley Klingaman (3/22/10)

Jay Hanaoka (3/8/10)

Andrew Ogle (3/1/10)

Kevin Burlison (02/08/10)

Jacob McDaniel (11/23/09)

Sam Eder (09/16/09)

Ben Wolfe (02/23/09)

Jacob Sexton (10/13/08)

Taylor Falkenberg (06/09/08)

Nathan Meacham (04/28/08)

Tyler Klingaman (03/03/08)

Sean Holmes (01/14/08)

David Wolfe (06/19/07)

Joshua Flahive (10/09/06)

Anthony Woolsey (10/09/06)

Tyler Lentz (04/10/06)

Austin Steele (04/10/06)

Richard Adams (03/27/06)

Nick Bourassa (03/27/06)

Peter Hamstra (01/23/06)

Michael Straub (12/12/05)

Peter Jeffery (09/26/05)

Chris Sexton (09/26/05)

Scott Olson (08/15/05)

Davis Vaughn (02/21/05)

Steve Hyland (12/13/04)

Nathan Wolfe (10/18/04)

Chris Lentz (08/16/04)

Andrew Knudson (04/05/04)

Danny Flahive (09/29/03)

Brandon Klingaman (09/29/03)

Eric Straub (09/15/03)

Paul Jeffery (02/24/03)

Brad Sanders (08/05/03)

Byron Currier (10/21/02)

James Mulhern (08/01/01)

Jonathan Rudow (07/02/01)

Cody Reints (05/28/01)

Michael Tiller (04/30/01)

Danny Hageman (05/21/01)

Josh Bedson (9/29/00)

Brian White (3/14/00)

Darren Rausch (2/21/00)

Matt Sinclair (4/5/99)

James Ewald (6/30/96)

David Wheeler (6/1/96)

Brandon Joplin (3/15/95)

John Trainor (3/6/95)

Jason Henry (9/26/94)

David Paap (11/29/93)

Chad Brossman (11/29/93)

Derrick France (5/27/91)

Jeffrey Bird (3/24/88)

Bahamas 2007

Geronimo 2001

“It is risky to

order a boy not to

do something; it

immediately

opens to him the

adventure of

doing it” Baden

Powell Highline 50 miler (7 of 8 became Eagles)

16

17

In Memory

Paul Jeffery August 25, 1985

February 28, 2004

Davis Vaughn November 17th, 1988

April 3rd, 2012

18

Order of the Arrow

Order of the Arrow – Adults

Vigil

Paul Sharpy (12)

Dave Bruneau (07)

Gene McDaniels (05)

Bob Ewald (04)

Brad Klingaman (03)

Tim Wolfe (03)

Bob Rooney (02)

Mattie Defeo (01)

Don Defeo (00)

Jim Rudow (66)

Brotherhood

Keith Blodgett (09)

Tom Mulhern (09)

Ernie Burlison (08)

Jim Rasmussen (07)

Byron Currier (03)

Ordeal

John D’Luzansky (11)

Jill Falkenberg (11)

Rick Wagner (09)

Lon Eder (08)

Alan Hanaoka (07)

Steve Hyland (01)

Pete Knudson (01)

Dan Churchman (97)

Don Dunnne (83)

Jamie Bausher (83)

Order of the

Arrow is an

Honor Society

based on

camping and

service Tucson Conclave 2001

Camp Geronimo 2001

19

Order of the Arrow - Youth

Vigil

Daniel Sharpy (12)

Taylor Falkenberg (08)

Nathan Meacham (08)

Tyler Klingaman (07)

Tyler Lentz (06)

Peter Hamstra (06)

Chris Lentz (06)

Chris Sexton (05)

Steve Hyland (04)

Brandon Klingaman (04)

Jon Rudow (04)

Nathan Wolfe (04)

Brotherhood

Ian Carver(12)

Eric Schneck (12)

Garrett Dedalis (11)

Austin Miller (11)

Ian Blodgett (11)

Tyler Pooley (08)

Kyle Dorsey (08)

Sam Eder (08)

Kevin Burlison (08)

Zac Winton (08)

Ben Wolfe (07)

Cole Bausher (07)

Jay Hanaoka (07)

Kyle Patterson (07)

Dylan Rasmussen (07)

Riley Klingaman (06)

Parker Falkenberg (06)

Jacob McDaniel (06)

Jacob Sexton (05)

Davis Vaughan (05)

Daniel Hyneman (05)

David Wolfe (05)

Anthony Woolsey (05)

Ian McGinnity (05)

Ordeal

Hale McBride (12)

Jonathan D’Luzansky (11)

Nathaniel Diemer (11)

Erick Knowles (11)

Connor Lavery (11)

Trevor Marske (11)

Joshua Lentz (09)

Jared Dorsey (09)

Connor Wagner (09)

Erik Blodgett (09)

Keean Sexton (08)

Brian Carlberg (08)

Grady Allen (08)

Zac Flahive (07)

Chris Meacham( 07)

Tanner Price (07)

Jean-Luc Walker (07)

Joshua Weiland (07)

National

Order of the

Arrow

Conclave 2002

20

Camp Geronimo Troop 653 has attended summer camp at Camp Geronimo since 1987. Camp Geronimo is located

north of Payson in the shadows of the magnificent Mogollon Rim on nearly 200 acres of forest and

meadows. Surrounded by over 5,000 acres of ponderosa pine forest, trails lead from camp to the top of

the rim where Scouts can stand at the very edge of the Colorado Plateau.

Scouts have a week of adventure and exploration at one of the most beautiful places in the Country.

Geronimo Late 1990’s

Spade Ranch 2002

Geronimo Late 1990’s

21

Dining Hall 2001

Geronimo Tent 2002

Rowing 2002 Archery 2002

Camp Geronimo

22

KP Duty 2003 Balance Rock 2000

Polar Bear 1998 Cooking 2005

Troop Photo 2006 Inspiration Point 2006

23

Fire Ring 2008 Visit from US Army

Cave and Dunk 2008 Cave and Dunk 2008

Evening Campfire 2008 Polar Bear 2008

24

25

Knot Tying 2010

Metal Working 2012 Leatherworking 2012

Swimming 2012 Climbing Tower 2012

Rifle Range 2011

26

High Adventures “Where is there a boy to whom the call of the wild and the open road does not appeal” - Baden Powell

Boundary Waters 2005, 2010

Catalina Island 2002, 2003

Florida Sea Base 2004, 2007

Havasupai 1991, 1992, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010

Highline 50 miler 2004

Kings Canyon 2011

Maine 2008

Nat. Order of the Arrow Conclave 2002

Philmont 2002, 2003, 2006, 2009

Ragbrai, Iowa Bike Trip 2012

2002 Philmont Crew Havasupai 2000

Ragbrai 2012

27

Catalina Island 2002

Catalina Island 2002 Catalina Island 2002

Havasupai 2000

Havasupai 1991 Havasupai 1991

28

Philmont 2003 Philmont 2003

Highline 50 miler 2004 Highline 50 miler 2004

Philmont 2003 Philmont 2003

29

Bahamas 2007

Bahamas 2007 Bahamas 2007

Bahamas 2007

Boundary Water 2005 Boundary Water 2005

30

Maine 2008

Boundary Water 2010

Maine 2008 Boundary Water 2010

Maine 2008

Boundary Water 2010

31

Ragbrai 2012

Kings Canyon 2011

Ragbrai 2012

King Canyon 2011 Ragbrai 2012

Kings Canyon 2011

32

“A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room.” Baden Powell

Backpacking Trips Bartlett Lake Canoe trip 2006

Bear Canyon 1999

Christopher Creek 2000

Colorado River Canoe Trip 2001

Flagstaff Nordic Center 2012

Fossil Springs 1999-2005

Geronimo Cave 2000, 2006

Kinder Crossing 2000-02, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009,2010, 2011

Mount Baldy 2008, 2009, 2011

Mule Creek 1999,2010

Reeves Ranch 1992-1996, 1999, 2007, 2010

Tony Ranch 2010

Wet Beaver Creek 2007

Fossil Springs Mule Creek 2010

Geronimo Cave 2006

33

Colorado “River 2001

Fossil Springs

Kinder Crossing 2004

Kinder Crossing 2002

Bartlett Lake 2006

Fossil Springs

34

West Clear Creek 2009

Reeves Ranch 2007

Hike 1992 Tony Ranch 2010

Mule Creek 2010

Reeves Ranch Before Building Burnt Down

35

Car Camp Trips

Bates Well, Goldwater missile 2002

Bartlett Lake Canoe trip 2008, 2010, 2011

Black River 1999-2012

Chiricahaus 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2011

Kartchner Caverns 2012

Lockett Meadow 2008

McDowell Mountain, Mountain Biking 2007, 2008, 2009,2010

Peppersauce Cave 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012

Q Ranch 2010, 2012

Railroad Tunnel 2008

Roosevelt Lake 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012

Knoll Lake 2012

Slide Rock 2012

Tucson, Air Mues./Sonora Des/Missile 2003, 2004, 2007,2009

Water Ski Apache Lake 2003 Lake Pleasant 2004-2005, 2008, 2009

White Tanks Mountain Biking 2011 2012

Winter Campout 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011

West Clear Creek 2007, 2009

McDowell Mountain 2009 McDowell Mountain 2009

36

Popeye and Gilligan at Black River

Black River 2005 Black River 2008

Lockett Meadow 2008 Bates Well 2002

Lockett Meadow 2008

37

Black River 2005 Black River 2005

Black River 2011

Black River 2002 Black River 2005

Winter Campout 2008

McDowell Mountains 2009

Water Skiing Cross Country Skiing 1994

McDowell Mountains 2009 Chiricahua 2008

Getting tough at McDowell Mountains 2009

39

Day Trips Bowling 2006-2012

Camelback Mountain 2003, 2006

City bike trip 2009-2012

First Water, Second Water 2006

Picacho Peak 2004

Salt River Tubing 2005

Shotgun shooting 2000-2012

South Mountain 2003, 2006

Usery Mountain 2003, 2006

Shotgun Shooting Merit Badge

Aviation Merit Badge

Shotgun Shooting Merit Badge

Engineering Merit Badge 2012

40

Boy Scouts of America Troop 653

Mesa, Arizona Central Christian Church

www:/troop653.com