A BRIEF HISTORY OF
TROOP 117 BSA
LITTLETON , COLORADO
Troop 117, BSA has deep roots in Littleton , Colorado. Boy Scouting was still a teen-ager when the First Baptist Church of Littleton received its first troop charter in 1928 under the number Troop 112. Only two other units then existed in Littleton, and one of them, Troop 110 at the Methodist Church, was disbanding (the pastor there didn’t approve of scouting), sending many of those boys to the newly formed Troop 112.
Hallie Rhea was the troop’s first Scoutmaster. Cameron Lockhead, a Littleton insurance man, Fred deKoevand Sr., and Owen Davis comprised the first committee. Fourteen scouts comprised the first charter.
By 1932, the troop was well established under the junior leadership of Lyman Ditson and Clifford Funk, but in 1936, adult leadership was lacking, and Lyman Ditson, then only 17, became the youngest Scoutmaster in the Denver Area Council. The troop’s first complete charter in Council records is for the war years 1942-1943. Earl Barcus was Scoutmaster assisted by Jack deKoevand and Howard Higby, 112’s only Eagle Scout, who later continued on to become a professional scouter. At the time the troop had four patrols. Allen Burt of Burt Chevrolet was a member of the Flaming Arrow Patrol. In 1943, five registered members were serving with the US armed forces, two in the Navy and three in the Army Air Force.
The strength of the unit seemed to wane during the years immediately following the war. In November of 1948, twenty years after its inception, only 11 boys remained. Adult leadership was no longer available and Troop 112 was dissolved. After approximately four years, that number was given to a troop at Lowry Air Force Base.
For eleven years, scouting lay dormant at the First Baptist Church which then met directly south of the now Bemis Library on Datura. Late in 1959, the Men’s Fellowship enlisted Rev. W.E. Simmons as the Institutional Representative and James O. Bowman as Soutmaster. Eleven boys formed the core of what was to grow into a pinnacle of scouting strength in Littleton , Troop 117.
By the end of 1960, the Troop roster reached 18 scouts. Two years later, ASM Irv Johnson assumed troop leadership. Junior leadership was developing and the troop was gaining the age and rank spread necessary for effective operation. Mr. Richard Vaughn became Troop 117’s third Soutmaster in 1963. Under his guidance, Don Lowe and Jim Miller became 117’s first Eagle Scouts. By the summer of 1964, 32 scouts were on the roster and during this period the Tucumshnish Indian Dancers (later to become the Wasechies) had their inception.
A major void developed during the summer of 1964 when Mr. Vaughn decided he could no longer continue as Scoutmaster. Neighborhood Commissioner, Jack Bakken, had an idea. A new neighbor recently moved in from Minnesota who had been a Scoutmaster for 5 years, plus he had Indian Dance experience both as a Scoutmaster and as a scout. So on an August evening 1964 Bakken invited him along to observe the troop to “help him determine what their problem was.” The young, unaware neighbor was Tom Sholes, who through clever subterfuge, was shanghaied and became Troop 117’s Scoutmaster for the next twenty-five years.
In two years, the roster again topped 30, and headed toward 40, which was the limit with which Sholes felt comfortable; four patrols of eight and a leadership corp. of eight. This became the target number for troop membership. Other guidelines that shaped the character of Troop 117 included:
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Each scout should advance at least 1 rank a year and camp at least 10 nights a year.
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Patrol leaders shall be at least First Class Scouts, SPL, Life or above.
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Eaglen Scout completion in not encouraged before age 16.
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The troop will meet weekly year around; patrols a minimum of twice a month.
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Scouts will be offered a monthly campout and a one week summer camp.
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At least one high adventure trip of one week duration or more yearly.
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Junior leaders will run the troop with the guidance of the adult leaders and committee.
And it shall all be accomplished in an atmosphere of FUN.
Concerned with the detrimental effects of easy advancement, Sholes developed the First Class Test, a 120 question review that required 75% to pass. It included all the important elements of the previous ranks, was heavy in advanced first aid, and in outdoor skills relative to the types of activities in which the troop was engaging. Met first with “consternation,” passing it became a badge of pride with the troop learned that Eagle Scouts from some of the trophy troops in Littleton were unable to pass it.
Meanwhile, the Wasechie Indian Dance group became the troop’s identity, and later its prime source of income. Under the guidance of three exceptional scouts, Brad and Ross Kershaw and Paul Hendricks, the dancers were performing on the average of 30 times a year and frequently won the Award of Distinction and Excellence at the Denver Area Scout Exposition. They danced with extra vigor when invited to perform at the dedication of the new Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch near Elbert.
In 1968 the troop filled up with 40 scouts and extended backpack trips became the norm. Anyplace with a name ending in Wilderness was fair game, such as La Garita, Maroon Bells, Eagle’s Nest, Holy Cross, Rawah, the Flat Tops and Mount Zirkle, when summer camp was still at Tahosa and the troop closed camp for several years with a climb up Long’s Peak. The troop never missed a year at summer camp, usually at Peaceful Valley . Until 1974, the troop owned its own 53 passenger school bus which confused many a jeeper when they encountered it on roads it never should have attempted. Old “Bertha” finally passed away in 1974 descending west from Eisenhower Tunnel.
In the early 70’s, Troop 117 joined forces with a senior Girl Scout troop from Littleton who wanted to learn the rough and tumble ways of the great outdoors. For nearly five years the girls hiked, camped, backpacked, rappelled, and even snow-caved with the boys, who quickly learned that they were every bit as tough (and sometimes tougher) than the guys themselves. The co-ed adventure was a high point in troop history.
At the time there were the “Big Four” in Littleton, Troops 114 and 314 at the Methodist Church, and 344 and gigantic 444 at First Presbyterian. By the mid-70’s the Denver Area Council was referring to the “Big Five.”
In 1975, the troop discovered Utah with a week long pack trip in the La Sal Mountains outside of Moab and several days in Arches National Monument. They became instant desert rats. For the next 14 years the troop made sojourns to the canyon country to visit “All American Man” in Canyonlands, wander Grand Gulch, Bandelier, Fish, Owl, McCloyd, and Arch canyon in search of Anasazi ruins. Three times it loaded its canoes to paddle (and occasionally dump) in the 18 challenging rapids in the 90 mile stretch of the San Juan River between Bluff and Clay Hills Crossing. This truly was the “Classic Period” of the 20th century troop and was scouting at its best. (See a list of Long Term High Adventure Trips outlined below.)
Unable to enlist a Patrol Dad for the Eagle Patrol, mom Barbara Slaten, a rugged backpacker, volunteered. Barb, famous for her “creative cussing” classes, was a lady ahead of her time. The troop registered her as B. Slaten, as at that time, women couldn’t hold Assistant Scoutmaster Positions. Only one member of Barb’s patrol failed to achieve Eagle. That reason: he moved!
One additional highlight was the construction of five teepee’s (one for each patrol, Elk, Buffalo , Bear and Eagle, plus one for the Leadership Corps) with the aid of the fantastic sewing skills of “Ma” Conway . Each patrol painted its proud new home, but was told by the Council that they couldn’t bring them to camp. Undaunted, they had the Littleton Fire Department fire proof and document the teepee’s safety, painting the required internal sigh of No Fire in the Tents… in Lakota language. And Troop 117 went to PV in teepees… for many years.
The troop during the “Classic” years had a summer camp reputation of being clowns, mischief makers, individualists, and non-conformists. With them, there was never a dull moment. They marched to dinner one evening with the entire troop outfitted in tuxedo tee shirts. To protest inspections at summer camp, the entire troop showed up at uniform inspection wearing their uniforms inside-out! Yet virtually every scout skills contest they entered, be it in water or on land, they won hands down. This confused many camp directors until they realized they were dealing with an extremely bright, creative, and fun-filled group of kids.
Over his tenure, Tom Sholes was not only blessed with talented boys, but was backed by a covey of exceptional ASM’s like Brad and Ross Kershaw, Irv Johnson, Ed Fitzsimmons, Bob Parsons, Jim Colburn for 11 years before his untimely death, plus Bob Finnell and Ken Conway. Hard working, long term troop committee chairman included Leon Kershaw, Dick Theis, Duane Newell, Duane Zentner, Bob Tharp and Lou Conti.
In 1977, the First Baptist Church , which had taken a more charismatic posture, chose to drop sponsorship of Troop 117. Scoutmaster Sholes approached Reverend Bob Clark at the Ridge Road United Church of Christ who consented to provide sponsorship of the unit and did so until 1990 when that congregation dwindled and the church property was eventually sold for housing. Sponsorship then shifted to Grace Presbyterian.
Tom Sholes resigned as Scoutmaster in 1989 prior to his move to Larkspur and was replaced by Assistant Scoutmaster Ken Conway, but remained as advisor to the Wasechie Dancers for several years. In 1991, Jeff Woods, a United Airlines pilot, took the reins until 1993 when Bob McCloud became scoutmaster.
During this period, Troop 117 advanced more than 40 scouts to rank of Eagle, none of which was younger than 16. These include:
Howard Higby (Troop 112) Don Lowe Jim Miller
Ross Kershaw Paul Hendricks* Don Fitzsimmons
Dale Marshall Steve Weir Bill Shorthill
Greg Schroer Rick Theis Brian Lagrone
Jerry Moore Brian Parsons Grant Johnson
Alan Parsons Lane Slaten Steve Richardson
David Sholes Andy Green Paul Carnell
Paul Conway Grady Holder Joel Slaten
Jim Mahoney Mark Zentner Brian Kannady
Jeff Rallo Trevor Banister Robert Hill
Steve Keckler* Greg Zentner Scott Kannady
Doug Kixmiller Ron Clark Joe Conti
Robert Lewis Darren Brinker Darren Kixmiller
Kyle Marquand* Mark Baker Mike Thompson
Paul Adams* Todd Zentner Curtis Weibel
* Indicates a long term member who completed or nearly completed his Eagle requirements with 117, but was awarded Eagle Scout by a different troop.
LONG TERM HIGH ADVENTURE TRIPS BY YEAR
1965 Pike National Forest Pack Trip. Hwy 285 to Mt. Evans , to Evergreen
1966 Mt. Beirstadt Pack Trip
1967 Webster Pass Pack Trip
1969 Lost Park Pack Trip
1970 La Garita Wilderness Pack Trip
1971 Maroon Bells Wilderness Pack Trip
1972 Eagles Nest Wilderness Pack Trip
1973 Holy Cross Wilderness Pack Trip and Climb of Mt. of the Holy Cross
1975 La Sal Mts. Pack Trip plus packing in Arches
1977 Rawah Wilderness Pack Trip and Arch Canyon
1978 Flat Tops Wilderness Pack Trip
1979 All American Man Pack Trip in Canyonlands
1980 San Juan River Canoe Trip
1981 Mt. Zirkle Wilderness Pack Trip
1982 Fish & Fowl Creek Canyons Pack Trip – San Juan River Canoe Trip
1983 Bandelier National Park Pack Trip
1984 All American Man Pack Trip in Canyonlands
1985 Grand Gulch, Utah Pack Trip, San Juan River Canoe Trip, Mt. Zirkle Pack Trip
1986 Arch Canyon , Utah Pack Trip
1987 All American Man, Pack Trip in Canyonlands
1988 Grand Gulch, Utah Pack Trip
1989 Fish & Fowl and McCloyd Canyons Pack Trip
Information compiled by Tom Sholes, Scoutmaster from 1964 thru 1989. All records of Troop 117 for that period are in his possession.
7160 South Perry Park Blvd.
Larkspur , Colorado 80118
303.681.2642
Troop 117 - Eagle Scouts (As of October 2013)
|
Scout Name |
Board of Review |
|
Alexander Grant Encinias |
6/18/2013 |
|
Justin M. Hein |
6/11/2013 |
|
Cameron Lee Martinez |
5/7/2013 |
|
Austin Kyle White |
3/1/12 |
|
Christian Daryl Reicheneder |
04/20/11 |
|
Ryan Alexander Mansfield |
8/17/10 |
|
Thomas Elliot Doolittle |
6/10/10 |
|
William Abraham Doolittle |
6/10/10 |
|
Evan O'Neil Cordrey |
11/1/2009 |
|
Joshua Michael Cook |
4/15/2009 |
|
Jordan Meredith Leak |
3/18/2009 |
|
Robert William Lavie |
3/4/2009 |
|
Logan Nam Bui |
12/16/2008 |
|
Colton David Pinto |
12/14/2008 |
|
Luke Ryan Sample |
7/15/2008 |
|
Ian Henry Davis Dawson |
2/5/2008 |
|
Edward Oliver Orth |
1/22/2008 |
|
Brian Leak |
5/31/2007 |
|
Ryan Elliott |
5/8/2007 |
|
Alexander Brown |
12/6/2006 |
|
Joshua Hamblen |
10/1/2006 |
|
Henry Lively |
8/29/2006 |
|
Grant Weaver |
8/5/2005 |
|
Jared Stewart |
3/15/2004 |
|
Jason Hamblen |
3/1/2004 |
|
Nathaniel Cejka |
8/20/2000 |
|
Nathan Siegal |
9/7/1999 |
|
Bradley Holmes |
6/8/1999 |
|
Gregory Cejka |
5/2/2002 |
|
Alex Dehne |
11/16/2001 |
|
Travis Dehne |
11/16/2001 |
|
David Billars |
3/24/1999 |
|
Kevin Wachtler |
3/24/1999 |
|
Bradford Dobos |
11/17/1998 |
|
Joseph Langenhorst |
9/30/1998 |
|
Benton Ferguson |
5/27/1998 |
|
Franklin Gardiner |
4/15/1998 |
|
Randy Lane |
7/1/1996 |
|
Ryan Mccloud |
1/22/1996 |
|
Brian Proud |
12/18/1995 |
|
Samuel Snyder |
11/27/1995 |
|
Nathan Meyer |
10/6/1995 |
|
Todd Zentner |
8/20/1992 |
|
Darren Brinker |
6/21/1992 |
|
Matthew Kixmiller |
5/12/1992 |
|
Curtis Waibel |
4/5/1992 |
|
Thomas Hearty |
1/23/1992 |
|
Mark Baker |
1/23/1992 |
|
William Thompson |
12/19/1991 |
|
Joseph Conti |
10/28/1991 |
|
Douglas Kixmiller |
6/13/1991 |
|
James Craig |
10/2/1990 |
|
Scott Kannady |
6/27/1990 |
|
Ronald Clark |
6/19/1990 |
|
Gregory Zentner |
5/10/1989 |
|
Trevor Banister |
5/10/1989 |
|
Paul Adams |
2/13/1989 |
|
Jeffrey Rallo |
12/12/1988 |
|
Brian Kannady |
12/11/1986 |
|
Joel Slaten |
5/5/1986 |
|
Grady Holder |
9/23/1985 |
|
David |
1/10/1985 |
|
Andrew Green |
10/22/1984 |
|
James Mahoney |
10/22/1984 |
|
Steven Richardson |
9/13/1984 |
|
Paul Carnell |
2/10/1984 |
|
Brandon Slaten |
1/25/1984 |
|
Mark Zentner |
9/12/1983 |
|
Paul Conway |
7/25/1983 |
|
Grant Johnson |
8/6/1980 |
|
Daniel Dawes |
4/11/1979 |
|
Gerald Moore |
10/3/1977 |
|
Brian Parsons |
3/1/1976 |
|
Gregory Schroer |
4/22/1975 |
|
William Shorthill |
5/6/1974 |
|
Don Fitzsimmons |
4/10/1972 |
|
Clifford Marshall |
1/7/1972 |
|
Ken McCarter |
3/1/1970 |
|
Ross Kershaw |
4/7/1969 |
|
Steven Weir |
4/19/1967 |
|
Don Lowe |
9/22/1964 |
|
Argie Miller |
9/22/1964 |
|
Moses Lucero |
12/6/1948 |
|
Jerry Johnson |
12/8/1947 |
|
George Garcia |
12/8/1947 |
|
Carl Isberger |
3/3/1946 |
|
Arthur Ivarson |
3/9/1945 |
|
Robert Steele |
2/26/1945 |
|
James Ed Taylor |
10/14/1940 |
|
Earl Clark |
6/6/1935 |