Local Boy Scout Troop Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Last week, Boy Scout Troop 363 celebrated its 50th anniversary. For 50 years the troop has been building character and creating good citizens of the young men involved in the program. Since the troop’s inception, outdoor activities, especially camping, have been central to their program and activities. While this is true for many Boy Scout Troops, it is especially so for our local Rancho Troop. Since the late 1980′s, Troop 363 has won the Rio Del Oro District Camping Award ten times. They have also received the Golden Empire Council camping award four times.
With such a rich history, Troop 363 has impressive goals for the future. Current Scoutmaster, Marshall Stewart, has a true passion for Scouting and the youth in his Troop. “It is my hope as the Scoutmaster to get the troop back to, as I call them, our glory days of camping”. After a brief dip in participation about ten years ago, the dedicated Troop Committee and Scoutmaster are steadily building the group back up.
Troop 363 has always been involved in their community. A founder of the Rancho Cordova Relay for Life, the Troop still participates every year, as all the boys really believe in the purpose. Completing an Eagle Scout project is the highest award a boy scout can achieve. Of the 59 Eagle Scouts Troop 363 produced, 55 of the young men chose to do their projects in Rancho Cordova. The projects benefited local churches, schools, and Cordova Parks and Recreation District.
Today, there are 22 boys in the Troop who are very active in doing community service work. The Troop volunteers at the American River Grange, doing yard work and landscape projects, painting and repair work. They are also involved in helping their charter organization, The Rancho Cordova VFW Post 10125, with projects they are involved in. You may have seen the young men of Troop 363 at the Veterans Day celebration at Mather. The troop also conducts and educates the public about United States Flag retiring ceremonies.
The Troop has also been very involved with conservation of the El Dorado National Forest. They have received many awards for their service in conservation, and in 1992 they were the first group to begin reforestation projects in the Crystal Basin area of the El Dorado Forest following a large wildfire. In 2000 the Troop went on an 18 day camping trip that included their families. A journey to Yellowstone National Park, Little Bighorn, Flaming Gorge, and Dinosaur National Monument is quite an experience for a single camping trip.
Please contact Michelle Ventress at Michelle@RanchoCordovaPost.com for more information or to get in contact with the leaders of Troop 363.
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Posted by Michelle Ventress
on Nov 24 2009. Filed under Lifestyle.
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This post needs some editing.
Troop 363 Was NOT a founder of the relay for life. We were brought into Relay for Life by Jonathon Goldman an old scout member who has aged out and is no longer in the troop; the second year of the Relay for Life. The Relay for Life was founded by Melody Granger-Mayer who founded the Relay after the loss of a close friend or family member I do not remember which exactly at this time.
The Troop has also been attempting to rebuild its numbers for years and has been doing so succesfully since 2000, it is a long process to rebuild a troop whose members have all aged out.
The Troop can also Not claim to be very involved in conservation of the El Dorado National Forest. The Troop has not done a project to help out doing that for years. One Eagle Scout project or One service project done on a camping trip can not be blown out of proportion like this article does.
If we were to document everything we have done and claim that makes us very involved or founders of that we would be responsible for everything that has ever taken place in Rancho Cordova as we have helped in everything which has taken place in our comunity either in our BSA Uniforms with Troop 363 or in our Venture uniforms with Crew 363.
It is not our intention to dishonor those that have actually initiated events or taken the brunt of the workload on project by taking credit. Troop 363 has given much to the comunity of Rancho Cordova, and will continue to do so Modestly. If you wish to see how much we are involved simply keep your eyes open for our Uniforms or swing by the American River Grange Hall on Killgore Road Tuesdays at 7:00
– Proud Eagle Scout Of Troop 363
Eric,
I understand that the troop has gone through changes through out its history and the present does not always reflect the past. In the article, I wanted to include all of the information about past and present awards and services Troop 363 has been involved in. After interviewing for this article, I included the information that had been emphasized as being important and relevant to the troop.
As an Eagle Scout, I thank you for your commitment and service to the community.