TROOP HISTORY
Troop 841 was originally chartered in April 1991, through the efforts of Tony Gonzales. Tony was a member of The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men’s organization dedicated to community service. The Knights of Columbus chapter that sponsors Troop 841 is affiliated with St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Coppell, Texas. A core group of eight Webelos and their parents from Lee Elementary School’s Pack 840 formed troop 841. Our first Scoutmaster was Ronnie Hunt, who served in that capacity until January 1994. George Ritcheske (Committee Chairperson at that time) succeeded Ronnie as Scoutmaster and served until August 1998. At that time Ronnie Hunt returned for a second term as Scoutmaster. Ron Flores became the Scoutmaster in January 2000 and served in that role for more than eight years. Rick Walker succeeded Mr. Flores as Scoutmaster in March 2008 and is our current Scoutmaster.
TROOP PHILOSOPHY
Our troop is a boy run troop, which actively uses the Patrol Method established by Lord Baden Powell in his Brownsea Island encampment in 1908. Baden Powell found that boys work well in groups of 6 to 9, which he called a patrol. Baden Powell also found that boys do well when given a task. On any given task, the boy first is shown how to do the task, then allowed to try the task, then assisted if he fails at the task and ultimately praised when he masters the task.
Baden Powell found that boys learn best when taught by another boy. Baden Powell also found that leadership is a learned experience, there are no born leaders. By giving young men the responsibility of leadership and given a chance to practice leadership skills, the boy learns how to lead and improves his leadership abilities. This is the essence of a boy run troop. Boy caring out their responsibilities for the good of other boys and their troop.
The second part of Scouting is camping. Take the "sc" out of scouting and what do you have, "outing". This part of Scouting is where the scouts put into practice the skills they learned at the scout meetings. This is where the scouts have fun. On camping trips they use the Patrol Method. They learn how to work as a group, who has what work responsibilities and the necessity of completing these work responsibilities. The same four steps listed above for learning also apply when camping. All active scouts will have the opportunity to fully enjoy the benefits of scouting.
We endorse the concept that our scouts will have the responsibility for the leadership of the Troop, with our adult volunteers providing guidance, encouragement and support. The troop also encourages all parents (both fathers and mothers) to become involved in the development of their son’s journey from a boy into a young man. We do this by offering many positions in the troop committee or as an assistant scoutmaster.