Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-03-07
TROOP 26 MAKES
YEARS REPORT
Stevens Memorial Methodist
Scouts Make Annual State
ment of Activities

Troop 26, Boy Scouts of America,
affiliated with the Rev. B. f. Stew
ems Memorial Methodist Church, and
under the jurisdiction of the Harris
burg Council of the Boy Scouts of
America, was organized by Scout
master L. E. Vanaman, July l, 1918,
with q boys of the Stevens Memorial
Guards forming the nucelus of the
new troop.
The troop was without money or
equipment when organized, and is
self supporting through monthly
dues from each member of the troop,
the dues at start were placed at i've
cents per month, but were raised
to 10 cents per month on Septem-
ber l, 1918.
The troop now consists of one
Scoutmaster, two assistant Scout
masters, three troop committeeman
and thirty Scouts, all the Scouts,
with the exception of two or three
new members, are uniformed, and
the new members will be uniformed
within the next month.
Troop equipment on hand at
present consists of one American
flag, one bugle, one drum, one fire.
making set and one standard COM
pass.
All Scouts have passed the ten
derfoot, or first test, with exception
of four new members and these have
signified their readiness to take the
examination: is Scouts are prepar-
ing for their second class tests.
The troop has participated in all
the war activities of our govern
ment since the troop was organized
and has won numerous medals and
honors in recognition thereof.
Since July ], 1918, the Scouts of
the troop sold War Savings and
Thrift Stamps and at the close OF
the year 1918. had sold S1,I23.2o o
worth of stamps. five Scouts winning
Achievement buttons, and four win
ming Ace Medals awarded by the L.
S. Treasury Department and one
Scout has won a Palm in addition to
his Ace Medal.
In the Fourth Liberty Loan Drive
the Scouts of the troop sold 81
bonds for total of S4,550, five
Scouts winning Liberty Loan medals
awarded by the u. S. Treasury De-
partment. This sale would have
been larger but for the fact that at
this time the Scoutmaster and sew
eral of the Scouts were i'll and un-
able to participate.
During the loan drive the Scouts
of the troop put all play aside and
worked each day at Liberty Loan
headquarters handling several thou
sand pieces of mail and printed
matter.
The troop participated in the Red
Cross drive, the United var Work
Campaign and various other war
activities of the government.
The troop collected 1900 pounds
of fruit pits and nut shells for use
of the government in making carbon
foe gas masks.
The Scoutmaster and 1S Scouts
spent three days in the Boy Scout
camp located one mile above Hoges-
town, the Scoutmaster and each
boy contributing 81 toward the ex-
penses of the camp and the cost
was kept down to $2.10 per boy. the
deficit being met by the Scout
master.
This expense is high, but it must
be borne in mind that at that time
the cost of foodstuffs were very
high, and the first two days at camp
are always very expensive and the
BOYS were given plenty of good
clean food Had the full week or
ten DAYS been spent in camp the
cost per day would have been con-
siderably lessened. The camp was
without accident during this time.
The troop has perfected a quick
m obilization plan and can be mobil-
| lied for an emergency within so
minutes.
Since it's inception the troop re-
ports the following financial state
ment: Cash received during the
year. $19.S5; paid out for equipm ent
$5.S5; cash on hand, $14.00; bills
outstanding, $3.50; balance above
all debts, s4.10.
In connection with this report
wish to thank DR.. Smucker for his
interest and help in this movement,
and to express my appreciation OF
the boys of the troop who by their
willingness to do their part made il
possible for Troop &c, one of the
youngest troops in town. to forge
steadily ahead until it now ranks
among the best troops and is ahead
of many of the older troops.
For the coming year ! am conf
troop in this district in scouting
and bring into the church boys who
are to be desired by any church
| The Scout movement will have moth
| ing to do with any boy or man who
is not clean. morally, mentally and
physically strong.
The troop stands ready at any
time to render assistance to it's
church. it's city, it's State or it's
government.
L. L. VANAMAN.
Scuotmaster.
The officers of the Troop are:
i. L. Vanaman, Scoutmaster; Pau
F. Kohlhaas. assistant Scoutmaster;
]. Carvel Sparrow, assistant Scout.
| master: C. Mosher, assistant Scout