Boy Scout Troop 1 Celebrates 100 Years in Bronxville

Local Boy Scout Troop 1 Bronxville celebrates its 100th anniversary this month. Scoutmaster William Chilson, who has served as troop scoutmaster for the past seven years, feels a strong sense of history as his troop marks the occasion.

“In 1916, just six years after Boy Scouting came to the United States from England, the Reverend Otis Tiffany Barnes, Pastor of the Reformed Church here in Bronxville, launched the current Troop 1,” Chilson explained. “Back then the Troop had 26 scouts. Meetings were held in a barn adjacent to the church.”

Eventually, membership grew and over time other troops were formed in Bronxville. Troop 1, has sustained its popularity and membership through the years. Troop 1 has become an integral part of the community, both in Bronxville and the surrounding towns having members from Eastchester, New Rochelle, Tuckahoe, Yonkers ,Scarsdale and the Bronx.

“Although we began in a barn and moved to many other locations over the years, scout families and business leaders raised enough money in 1929 to erect a large cabin on the current site,”Mr. Chilson explained. “The cabin was named in honor of Otis Tiffany Barnes, whose vision and voice had guided scouts in our area for years. The cabin is currently shared by 2 other Bronxville Troops and 3 Cub packs.

The Bronxville School uses a bronco image in their logo, Troop 1 was the first group in the community to originate that image. In 1929, Bronxville’s Troop 1 got permission from the Boy Scouts of America to sport a special patch on their uniforms. This unique gold and maroon patch depicted a bucking bronco, along with a motto “Bronxville’s Bucking Broncos—the Troop that Can’t Be Ridden.” The scouts in Troop 1 proudly continue to wear the Bucking Bronco patch on their pocket today after earning it through participation in outdoor events..

“These boy scouts in Troop 1 know their membership in Troop 1 makes them a part of local history,” said Lee Schoenlank, former scoutmaster and current committee member for Troop 1. Although it has been many years since he led the Troop and since his own son Todd received his Eagle award, Mr.Schoenlank remains as involved as ever with the Troop 1 scouts.

“There is much to recognize and celebrate after one hundred adventure-filled years,” he said. “Whether it’s white-water rafting, rock climbing, or competing in the Winter Klondike contest. Our scouts are always thinking of new ways to challenge themselves. We’re just here to go on the ride with them.”

A big part of the Troop 1 story for the past 100 years has been the presence of community role models like Mr. Schoenlank ,Mr. Terp ( both former Troop 1 Scoutmasters who stayed active after stepping down) and Troop 1’s Committee Chairman Mr. Joe Tetro,.

To honor the 100th anniversary of Troop 1, adults and senior scouts in Troop 1 organized a special camporee in May in Bronxville.

Mr. Tetro explained, “Scout Field turned into a campground for 10 troops from the area. Activities included a bicycle obstacle course, fire building, leatherworking, and more.

This year will also mark the 100th Eagle Scout for Troop 1 . We are committed to the continued celebration of Troop 1 past—with an eye on the future of the scouts in the area.”

One of the nation’s largest youth development organizations, the BSA was founded on Feb. 8, 1910 and Charteed by the US Congress in June of 1916 when Troop 1 was founded. Since then, the Boy Scouts of America has remained steadfast in its teachings of values and character to youth, despite changing times and a changing society.

“We are 35 scouts strong on our hundredth birthday,” says Mr. Chilson. “And we welcome a new generation of scouts each year.”