The History of Troop 161 (61)
CELEBRATING 50 Years of Scouting
I would like to take you back in time - Fifty years. Close your eyes - imagine the 1950's - what do you see? Poodle skirts? Hula hoops? A BRAND NEW television?? I'll tell you what I see. I see Addie Grimal at a table signing the charter for the Boy Scouts of America's newest troop, Troop 61. This was the beginning of a wonderful saga, a story of many boys and adults. Fred Bauer was the first Scoutmaster of the new organization, which consisted mainly of members of the adjoining school.
In 1964 Robert S. Lyle Summer Camp opened its doors to the first scout campers, beginning a long tradition of Troop 61/161 attending the summer camp. Another outing of note was the stay at the Northern Tier Canoe Base (a water based High Adventure program in northern Minnesota).
In the early 1970's the Racine and Kenosha Scouting Councils merged, changing the troop number from 61 to 161. The program began to grow after, but not as a result of this change. The number of Troop 161 members now exploded into the forties (nearly triple the previous size !!!) under the direction of Scoutmaster Jim Poulsen. Mr. Poulsen did not have any youth in the program, but was chosen because of his association with the YMCA Indian Guide program and his service to the Council.
With the introduction of the year 1976, Troop 161 introduced their new Scoutmaster, Richard Walker. He was a carpenter by trade, and built many patrol boxes and tables for the Troop trailer. The next year, Rick Heck took over as Scoutmaster. Rick was an Eagle Scout from Troop 61, and assumed the position of Scoutmaster at a very young age. Mr. Heck led a unique program; he focused mainly on High Adventure (a form of camping only available to older, maturer scouts).
In 1978 LeRoy Jungbluth began his tour of duty as Scoutmaster. He was not only very involved with the Troop, he was very active in District and Council activities. More of his accolades included his Wood Badge training (Wood Badge training consists of a week long, intense, adult leader training), and his starting of many traditions within the Troop. The most notable of these traditions was the (now annual) Christmas Campout. He was also a key player in replacing the aging equipment trailer. Under his leadership, the Troop reached a peak of nearly 50 scouts! Mr. Jungbluth helped many scouts. Without his knowledge and abilities to teach leadership to youth, many scouts may not have had the opportunity to succeed in the way they did. In November of 1983, after five years of service, LeRoy Jungbluth resigned due to family commitments. His legacy still resides in the heart of the Troop, and is used as an example of dedication and commitment to the scouting program.
After serving several years as Assistant Scoutmaster, Mr. Ray Treu moved up in rank to that of Scoutmaster. He agreed to accept the position until Mr. Tim Falendysz was old enough to assume the role of Scoutmaster.
On June 4, 1984 Mr. Tim Falendysz (affectionately referred to as Mr. F.) took over the role of Scoutmaster as he turned twenty-one (a BSA National Requirement). Mr. F. is an Eagle Scout as well as Wood Badge trained. When Mr. F. began as Scoutmaster, there were 15 members in the Troop. Under Mr. F.'s leadership, many scouts have been through the scouting program. The Troop's record membership was reached under Mr. Falendysz, over 70 scouts! This peak would not have been reached without the massive parental support that has always been an integral part of the Troop's history. Mr. F. has turned his focus to a youth-run program, which he feels is the key for success of the program.
Some of the accomplishments of Troop 161 in the last 16 years include:
1984 Troop's first trip to Philmont Scout Ranch (Cimarron, New Mexico)
1985 Christmas Wreaths become main fund raiser for the Troop
1986 Troop attends Philmont Scout Ranch Troop purchases new equipment trailer
1988 Troop attends Philmont Scout Ranch
Troop purchases second new trailer to accommodate for increased size of the Troop 1990 Troop attends Philmont Scout Ranch
1992 Troop attends Philmont Scout Ranch
1994 Troop attends Philmont Scout Ranch
1996 Troop attends Elkhorn High Adventure Base (Redfeather Lakes, Colorado)
1999 Troop celebrates its 50th Eagle Scout (Paul Archer, Nicholas, Johnson and
Joe Somogyi)
2000 Troop 161 celebrates its 50th year
Other Scouting accomplishments of some of our members:
Staffed at Robert S. Lyle Summer Camp
Staffed at Oh-Da-Ko-Ta Cub Scout Day Camp
Staffed at Philmont Scout Ranch
Participants in Thunderbird Junior Leadership Conference
Staffed at Thunderbird Junior Leadership Conference
Selected to attend National Jamboree
Attend Council contingent to Philmont Scout Ranch (2000)
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