THE HISTORY OF TROOP 911

NATHAN BAKER, TROOP HISTORIAN

How did we get here? Why are we so different in our names? Why are we the best Scout Troop in the district? Were we ever bad? All these questions were answered in many of my interviews. I interviewed many leaders and some scouts to get an opinion. The answers to my questions are in this document. As far as I know, this is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So far, I have never had any two stories conflict. So, here goes.

In the beginning (1986), there was Troop 141. And Thomas Pendleton was the Scoutmaster of that troop, and everybody was happy. Then, there were two Troops, 141 & 911 (they split due to internal strife). We don't feud (besides normal camporee feuding), and pretty much like each-other. But where would we stay? Well, Josh Cagle, a member of Erin Presbyterian Church, said that his church would be glad to have us and had a space where we could stay & store stuff. We were ecstatic, and moved in immediately. Thus, a troop is born.

Why are we so "odd" in our names? I mean, 'Flaming Cows!' 'Bloated Goats!' 'Dehydrated Camels!' 'Awesome 'Possums!' We just are not normal in our names! Well, the boys chose their names themselves, so I suppose the weirdness would have to be attributed to them. But we do want to be distinctive. That is why everyone has heard of Troop 911!

Has everyone heard of 911? Well, I'll tell you, I meet scouts in the weirdest places. And, when I find out that they are Scouts, I interview them. And, invariably, they have heard of 911! I, personally, find it cool to be part of such a renowned troop.

"Sure, so you're good. But were you always good?" you may ask. So I would be forced to answer that no, we weren't always this good, but durn close! In fact, the only year that we weren't good was in 1986, when we first became a troop. That was because we were just formed! So we went to the Spring Camporee of '87, and really stunk! (Well, we did OK, but it was bad compared to our other successes. We did win the Spirit Award, though!) We were not ready to win just then, but that day would come. From 1987 to 1992, we did a lot. There was Junior Leader Training, hikes & campouts, visits to historic and educational sites, and camps. In 1990 was the first Webelos Campout, where we invite many Webelos to a large campout at Camp Pellissippi. And, throughout those years, we always attended Spring and Fall Camporees. Then, in 1991, Brian Walker, David Waggonner, Brian Humpheries, and Chris Humpheries (all Cows) went to Philmont. They had a blast, and learned a lot, too. When the '92 Spring Camporee rolled around, the Cows were ready. So they went and did OK. The main problem was that the Cows didn't prepare the other patrol, the Nuclear Turtles, and they did poorly. So, we did not win the Tower that year, either. But the next year, we won it! We prepared both patrols, and prepared well. We were so happy, we won it next year, too. But the Barney principle kicked into effect, so we were nice and shared it with other patrols in the 1994, 1995, and 1996 Camporees. After that, we decided they had seen enough of the Tower, and took it back in the 1997 Camporee. We haven't decided whether or not we're going to lend it out again in '98 yet.

Once, at an Order of the Arrow Fall Fellowship, I was telling a fellow scout about our dominance. He responded, "Sure you win all the time! You have so many people!" I have news for you: we only have like 20 members, counting adults! Our complete members list (still under construction as of November 13, 1997) only adds up to 64! We hardly hit the current membership of many troops! To make up for this, however, we have the cream of the crop. Our members are THE BEST! That is why we win!

"Hey! I had noticed that your troop scored very high in the activity ratings for '97! Why?" Well, those ratings are based on how many scouts advanced in ranking and merit badges versus number of "inactive" scouts. Those ratings were done back when we had 7 scouts. Almost all had advanced a rank AND several merit badges. It has nothing to do with how many activities you've been to.

"Well, DO you go on many hikes, campouts, and such?" DO WE? We have visited a WHOLE lot of places! Every spring break, we take some kind of hike. Almost all the good places, we have been to. Big South Fork, Big Ridge, the Appalachian Trail, Mt. LeConte, and Cade's Cove are just some of the places we've been. We go hiking all over the place! Sometimes, we even hike in rain or snow. In fact, most of the activities we attend have either been very rainy or too hot. All in all, I like it.

NATHAN BAKER, TROOP HISTORIAN

submitted 11/25/97