Havre and the Boy Scouts of America Program, past and present

Press release

Boy Scouts of America began 113 years ago in 1910. Each year during the month of February "we recognize the birthday of Scouting's Founder, Lord Baden-Powell as well celebrate the lasting legacy of the Scout movement. For over 100 years, Scouting has empowered young people with life and leadership skills which help improve their communities and create a better world."

While looking back, Havre and the surrounding areas have a had strong and proud history with the Boy Scouts of America program that has its roots in Havre going back more than 100 years.

In the Tuesday, Feb. 7, 1961, edition of the Havre Daily News, Judge C.B. Elwell states "the first troop was formed about 1920 or 1921 and consisted of about 12 boys."

Currently in Havre, there are two ScoutsBSA Troops. Troop 1438 (boys) and Troop 1406 (girls). When girls were allowed to join Boy Scout Troops, the name of this program within the BSA programs was changed from Boys Scouts to ScoutsBSA. This is the name for the program for the 11-year-old to 18-year-old youth. Both of these units are chartered by First Lutheran Church.

ScoutsBSA Troop 1438, which had been Troop 438 and prior to that it was troop 38. According to the Montana Council Office in Great Falls, this unit has been continuously registered with the Boy Scouts of America program since October 1, 1947, with First Lutheran Church. But connections to First Lutheran Church go back as early as 1941.

The first mention of Troop 38 being in Havre with First Lutheran Church is the Saturday, Feb. 8, 1941, edition of the Havre Daily News "Sunday, Havre Boys Scouts will, in most cases attend church in groups. Havre churches which have invited certain troops to attend services at the individual churches, are ... Troop 38, Matt Armstrong, scoutmaster, First Lutheran church."

While earning the rank of Eagle Scout carries a certain prestige, it is not the ultimate goal in scouting. Havre has been the home to Eagle Scouts for more than 90 years.

The first Eagle scout from Havre, Ed Hulett, earned the rank in late 1930. According to the Jan. 2, 1931, edition of the Havre Daily News, Ed (Troop 35, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce), received the Eagle rank at the annual father and son banquet of the Boy Scouts of America on Friday, January 2, 1941. The Havre Daily News stated that Ed Hulett was the second Boy Scout to attain the rank in the entire district. At the time, Havre was in the district that also included Lewistown and Great Falls.

Havre has seen a number of Eagle Projects that have had a positive impact on our community. Here is a list of Eagle Projects that have been completed in and around Havre since 2011:

• Optimist Park Horseshoe pits

• Northside Havre Horseshoe pits

• Installation of sign "The Bridge" and benches

• Flag Retirement and Flag boxes

• Painting and exterior repairs of the Food Bank

• Painting and exterior repair of the Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen

• Complete renovation of Grace's Place (Park on the Northside of Havre)

• Repair and staining of the train at Lions Park

• Repair and repainting the Eagle's Park Sign

• Installation of fire pits, picnic tables, shelters at Hidden Hollow Campground in the Bear Paws.

• Picnic tables for Walleyes Unlimited

• Repair and painting the deck of the Pepin Park Gazebo

• Painting of the windows and deck of the Library at Fort Assiniboine

• Davey School sign

• Installation of the concrete pads, bench, bar-b-ques pits and picnic tables at the "S" Curve Park

• Installation of the parking lot, outhouse and picnic tables at the base of Mount Otis

For younger youth, Havre has Cub Scout Pack 4426 which is open to both boys and girls from Kindergarten through fifth grade. The Charter Organization is St. Jude's Thaddeus Church. Another BSA program here in Havre, is a Venturing Crew 2406 that is is co-ed for both males and females from 14 – 21.

Regardless which BSA program the youth are associated with the mission and aims of the program remain the same. The current mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. The Aims of Scouting are: Character, Citizenship, Personal Fitness, and Leadership. These are what we strive for here in Havre, the Hi-Line and the entire Montana Council. If anyone is interested in any aspect of scouting in and around Havre, please contact me.

Thank you.

Bill Lanier

406-399-4609

[email protected]