Troop 1 Chappaqua

Troop 1 Chappaqua is a local boy scout troop located in Chappaqua, New York. The troop is the third oldest of its kind in the nation, founded in 1913. Its current scoutmaster is Dr. William Flank, PhD. AbOUT 4 eagle scouts graduate from the troop each year. an average of 80 eagle scouts have graduated from the troop.

History

When the troop was founded in 1913, it was no more than six boys congregating in an abandoned barn at the scoutmaster's home to talk, have fun, etc. The meetings were not as advancement-based as they are today. In the 1920s, the troop's size was swelling so that they created a second Chappaqua boy scout troop and split the troop in half. Talk of making a third troop has come and gone over the years. In the 1950s, Don Vanderbilt became scoutmaster and began the troop's tradiion of going to boy scout summer camp each year. Also in the 1950s, the scouts moved to a new home. They began renting what would be called the Scout Hut from the Chappaqua Central School District. It was an old schoolhouse. The troop bgan the tradition of going to summer camp at the Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation in the Adirondack Mountains. They have camped in the same campsite since. Mr. Vandrbilt was known for his undying efort to support the troop. In 1991, Mr. Vanderbilt suffered a heart attack and died in his home. Dr. Bill Flank, committee chairman, took over from there. In 1992, however, the school district condemned the Scout Hut and forced the troop out. The troop currently houses their meetings at the Roaring Brook School in Chappaqua, and their archives in the scoutmaster's basement. The troop continues to grow to this day.