Troop 537

History

Troop 537's roots extend from two other scout troops-- Troop 149 based out of Friendship Presbyterian Church and Briarwood Baptist Church's Troop 388. In 2009, T149 had nearly 100 scouts and a large number of active adults. Troop 388 had fewer scouts and active adults but room for expansion with tremendous facilities at Briarwood Baptist Church. With T149 bursting at the seams in Friendship, leadership discussions began between the two troops and churches. Charlie Booth, an Assistant Scoutmaster with T149, agreed to move to the new troop and become Scoutmaster.

A decision was made to allow scouts at T149 to choose between their existing troop and a newly chartered troop at Briarwood. Forty-four scouts and their parents from T149 chose to join the Briarwood scouts and charter the new troop. The vote to choose a new troop number ended with Troop 537 being selected, the mathematical sum of the two troops; 388 and 149 equaling 537.

A large number of active adults moved with their scouts to T537 and the troop began meeting in January, 2010. Troop 537 was officially chartered on January 28, 2010.

Troop 388

Boy Scout Troop 388 held its first meeting in February, 2000, in the fellowship hall of its Chartered Organization, Briarwood Baptist Church. Mr. Paul Copley became the Troop's first Scoutmaster. An Eagle Scout himself, he had extensive experience in Scouting during his youth in Scout troops and camps in Virginia.

The Troop's first Scouts consisted of a group of 13 Cub Scouts who had been in Mr. Copley's Weblos II Den plus 8 other boys who either transferred into Troop 388 from other Boy Scout Troops or who had no prior experience in Boy Scouts. The Scouts formed into three Patrols and chose Patrol names (Cobra, Flaming Dragon, and Panther), created Patrol yells and flags, and chose leaders.

Two of the older youth with Scouting experience were elected Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Parents of several Scouts became Assistant Scoutmasters and other parents and interested adults formed the Troop Committee.

In its brief history, 29 of Troop 388's Scouts have attained the rank of Eagle Scout, including 14 of the original 21 members of the Troop.

Troop 149

Boy Scout Troop 149 has been chartered to Friendship Presbyterian Church and its Men's Club since May of 1959.

There were 9 scouts in the troop when it was first chartered under Scoutmaster Starr Lee. Troop 149 has met continuously since that time, with ups and downs of activity level, size, and adult leadership. Paul Matthews accepted the position of Scoutmaster in August of 1994, and the troop has grown to its current size of well over 60 active youth.

For more information about Troop 149, visit their site.