Troop
50
Devon,Pa.
Brief
Devon 50 History
Something to add?
e-mail the
webmaster
|
|
Brief
Devon 50 History
|
Something to add?
e-mail the
webmaster |
| May 31, 1927
Our first Troop Charter was granted May 31, 1927 to “A Group
of Citizens” who, earlier that year, had agreed with each other and with
the Chief Scout Executive of Chester County to form what then was provisionally
known as “Devon Troop 1.” Led by Edward Browning, eight men applied to
charter a new Boy Scout Troop — although there was at that time no sponsoring
church or other organization to provide a meeting place or financial support.
Initially the troop met at the Scoutmaster’s home, or at the Devon Park
Hotel. 1928 - First year of operation of Camp Horseshoe From the beginning, the troop emphasized an active outdoor program. We participated at summer camp in 1928 - the first year of operation of Camp Horseshoe - and every summer thereafter. We hiked and camped in open rural areas that today are long-established neighborhoods in Devon, Berwyn, and Wayne. We were mounted troop for several years, and we have hiked the entire length of the Horseshoe Trail (which runs about 120 miles from Rt. 23 in Valley Forge Park to the Appalachian Trail outside of Reading, PA). Service to the Community The troop has always provided cheerful service to scouting and the community. Well over 200 Devon 50 scouts have earned the Eagle rank, and every one planned and managed a community service project that was executed by Devon 50 scouts, parents, and friends. Projects ranged from building trails for visitors to Waynesboro to distributing all the recycling bins now in use in Easttown Township. In addition, Devon 50 supporters, provided both financing and labor to build a cabin facility (Browning Lodge, dedicated in memory of Ed Browning) for the Horseshoe Scout Reservation (the Chester County Council scout camp). . Spreading our wings As the troop grew over the years, our range expanded. We attended National Jamborees, Philmont Scout Ranch (New Mexico) expeditions, the Adirondack High Adventure area (northern New York State), Shenandoah National Park (Virginia) - the list goes on and on. In 1977, 1982, 1991 and in 1995 the troop “went West” on extended tours of the Rockies and the Southwest. In 1987, in celebration of our 60th birthday, in 1992, and again in 1996, our destination was the International Jamboree in England. 1952 - Our 25th birthday 
By this time, the need for a real and permanent “Home” had long been
recognized. In 1951, nine acres of land just off Valley Forge Road, across
from the Old Baptist Church in the Great Valley, were purchased from the
Jarvis family. Many hours of work and lots of fund-raisers later, the Cabin
and outbuildings were erected. A dedicated Troop Committee - still a “group
of interested citizens” - climbed the last financial hurdles by pledging
themselves to loans. Troop membership expanded greatly during the 50’s
and by 1958 our mortgage was paid off. In recent years we have added the
Sellers Equipment Building (named after former Trustee William
"Bill" Sellers, Devon 50 Eagle #10) and the “Comfort Station”
( showers and toilets). Today the Devon 50 Cabin and grounds are recognized
throughout the Eastern U.S. as one of the outstanding facilities available
to any troop. |
