Troop 17 Mansfield

100 Years ago, on June 1st, 1923, The Congregational Church of Mansfield was issued a charter by the Boy Scouts of America to form Boy Scout Troop 1, which in the 1950’s was changed to Troop 17 as it is known today. 

In 1923 the Boy Scouts of America was itself a small young organization but with the passage of time and its membership in the World Organization of the Scout Movement, the scouts of Troop 17 Mansfield joined what would become the largest educational youth organization on planet Earth.

For 100 years the youth of Mansfield have ventured outside looking for fun and heart pumping adventures. Adventures like rappelling off 70 foot cliffs, rafting down class IV white water rapids, sailing on tall ships, and spending a week at summer camp with buddies.

Masked in all the fun and adventures the scouts of Troop 17 learned to become responsible, active citizens and leaders who are guided by the Scout Oath and Law.

The scout law not only defines what a scout is but defines the characteristics of your best friend. As you read the scout law think about how you would describe your best friend.

A scout is: 

Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.

On monthly camping trips scouts learned to take care of themselves and members of their patrol and troop by cooking their own meals and building their own shelters. They learned the importance of doing their best at their jobs and that others were depending on them.

The scouts of BSA Troop 17 start every meeting by taking the scout oath which is the most verbalized oath taken on this planet.

On my honor I will do my best

To do my duty to God and my country

and to obey the Scout Law;

To help other people at all times;

To keep myself physically strong,

mentally awake, and morally straight.

The Boy Scout oath is more than just words to the scouts of Troop 17 it is an action plan that has benefited the Town of Mansfield. For the past 100 years Troop 17 has performed thousands of hours of community service for our town and our country. Troop 17 has honored our living and departed veterans and helped maintain our towns conservation areas.

Only a small percentage of BSA Troop 17 Scouts have attained the highest rank of Eagle Scout with less than 100 scouts earning the rank in the past 100 years but their leadership on service projects to benefit this community has been huge. The attached photo marks the location of some of the Eagle Scout Service projects by BSA Troop 17 over the past 100 years.