Paoli Boy Scout Troop 1 Celebrates 100 Years

It is among the oldest Boy Scout Troops in continuous operation, if not the oldest troop in all of scouting. Members of Paoli Scout Troop 1 celebrated the troop's 100th anniversary at the troop's headquarters in Wayne. Boys from all over Tredyffrin and Easttown as well as Radnor and surrounding areas are members of the troop.

Two member of Congress, a State Representative and troop alumni from as far away as Florida were among those who came to commemorate the milestone during a day filled with ceremonies and scouting competitions.

“People often ask us if we are the oldest troop in America,” commented Scoutmaster Mike Magnotta, in a press release.  “What may be the nation’s very oldest active troop is not a record the Boy Scouts of America actually keep, but we are certainly among the smallest handful of oldest troops, and in the end what’s special is not so much the number of years. It’s the troop’s continuity of service through the years. We’re celebrating a century of service to the youth of this community, and that is what is most important.”

Patch sent photographer Christopher Britton to capture the excitement and the history on Saturday.