Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-06-10
Work Started on
Boy Scout Camp;
Fund Almost no

The council idea was started dur.
ing 1926 when II. q. Mcconnell and
a few others in Weslaco got in
touch with ]. p. Fitch OF Dallas
regional scout executive.
Mr.. Fitch sent j.. c. Campbell
deputy regional executive, TO the
Valley TO make a survey. The idea
Of a Valley council was proposed
and Weslaco. Donna. EGrlingen, La
Feria. San Benite and Brownsville
agreed 10 finance n provisional coun-
ell for three months. Al the end OF
three months a permanent council
was to be formed if the idea seem
cd feasible.
Tom Murray Of Alhambra, Calf.
was secured to organize the council.
He arrived in December, at which
time there were six troops, and lis
scouts, 1T Brownsville. San Benito,
Mission, Harrington, McAllen and
Pharr.
New troops came in. and an organi-
cation was set up in each town.
Progress during the first three
months was slow, because of the
failure of three previous attempts in
the vast two years, but the work was
On a safe basis.
A council was finally organized on
a permanent basis, and arrangements
made to finance the first years oper-
atoms. A'charter was granted by the
National Council on March IL, 1927.
New troops we're organized rapidly,
and now there are 81 registered
troops with 734 scouts, and seven
los additional scouts, making a total
Of 500 scouts in ~ troops.
Leader training courses arc an
other feature of the Scout work, the
first having been held in March
April and May, 1927. Nineteen
diplomas were issued then, with 81
men attending the sessions. Courses
were held again in October. 1927, and
January and June, 1928.
Hundreds of merit badges Cor pro-
fieiency in some vocational subject
have been issued, and Eagle Badges,
the highest rang in scouting. were
awarded to Scouts Francis Gresham
and Ben Ezell Of Troop 4. Harrington,
Charles Hayes Of Weslaco, and Nerl
Cole of Donna, an Assistant Scout
master Carl Huser of Donna was
awarded a bronze palm for additional
work after having been previously
awarded the Eagle Badge.
The first field meet was held May
rs, 1927. and was won BY Troop | of
San Benito. with Troop / Of Har-
lingen a close second, and Troop l
of Donna, third. This years meet,
held May IL at Mercedes. was a tie,
San Benito Troop 1, and Harlingen
Troop / each having 33 points. BY a
strange coincidence third place was
also tied between three troops. Rio
Grande City No. 1, Edinburg No. ?,
and Mercedes No. 2, each winning
IL l-2 points.
The first Valley-wide Scout camp
was held at Paso Real, July 2 to ~,
1927. One hundred and fifty-one
scouts attended. and much scout
work was done. The weather was un-
favorable, and the equipment poor,
still an improvement in the physical
condition of the boys was noticed,
and there were studies in archery,
outdoor crafts. swimming. etc. Gold.
campers went 10 Herman Drake or
Harrington. Mont Calvert Jr., OF Me-
Allen, and Nelson Miner of San Be-
nltO. respectively.
The first annual swim meet was
held October 6. 1927. the meet being
won by H~arlingen with 80 points.
Mercedes second with 81, and Nc
Allen third with %.
The first president Of the Valley
scout council was Kent S. Manning
Of San Benito. At the annual meet
ing last January r. w. Napier Of
Harrington was elected president. Mr..
Napier later left the Valley and b.
VI. Holland Of Harrington was elected
to fill his place. Other offices Of the
council are Kent s. Manning, DR..
r. +. Utley. w. c. Jones. Jr.. and
W. II. Moon. vice presidents: Julian
CONTINUED on pare tNol