Troop 1 of East Hartford Ct turns 100

We at Troop 61 would like to Congratulate


By Joe Murdzek Committee Chair Troop 1

Boy Scout Troop 1 Turning 100: Celebration October 16

On October 14, 2010, Boy Scout Troop 1 of East Hartford turns 100. For 100 years, Troop 1 has been a fixture of the town, serving the community by training young men in citizenship, character building and mental and physical fitness.
Troop 1 has the distinction of being the oldest Boy Scout Troop under continuous operation, sponsored without interruption by the First Congregational Church for 100 years. The Troop was founded by Reverend William C Prentiss (minister of First Congregational Church see picture) on October 14, 1910. The Troop grew out of the Church’s Boys Club. A Troop 1 Scout was the first in the Hartford Council to earn the rank of Eagle. Since then, Troop 1 has had over 70 Eagle Scouts. A fascinating account of the Troop’s early years can be found in Albert Crocker’s publication: “The First Twenty Five Years With Troop One in East Hartford, CT (1910 to 1935)”.

Troop 1 currently has a membership of about 20 Scouts, with weekly meetings held most Tuesdays at First Congregational Church. Troop activities include camping, skill building, community service and summer camp.

On Saturday, October 16, at 7:00PM, a Centennial Celebration will be held in the Sanctuary of the First Congregational Church. The celebration is free and open for all to attend. Please come join old friends and reflect on your days with Troop 1. Printed copies of “The First Twenty Five Years of Troop One” can be ordered the night of the event.

June 2010 Court of honor

One of our newest boy scout receiving his merit badges at our June 2010 "Court of honor"

2010 EMS Connecticut Rivers Council Scout Show

June 4th to 6th, 2010 Our troop 61 went to the 2010 EMS Ct scout Jamboree. Our Scouts enjoyed the many activities such as: rock climbing wall, bunge jumping, monster truck, archery range, BB gun range, and the many vendors the show has to offer and Of course they visited the Ice cream truck because of the hot muggy weather.

Here is a picture of the awesome sunset we had to view saturday evening before the concert and lazer light show

Our May 1 Car Wash

Well Troop 61 had it's fundraising car wash or should I say fire truck wash!. The boys where willing to wash all in coming vehicles

Our older boys did a pretty good job leading the new boys and trying to organize when it got a little hectic. I know it's not easy being a leader.

Our new boys worked so hard and took direction well.

We are all proud of them for the work they did. You made Troop 61 proud! We are so happy you are a part of the Troop 61 family!


Thanks to all the parents who came to help monitor the boys and keep them safe, wash cars, take money, etc.

The Boys time time to pose with a town's fire truck                                                                                       

Faulkner Island

Troop 61 joined Troop 28 of Hebron in going to Faulkner Island (Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge) which is off the coast of Guilford and is about 3 miles off shore. The island is extremely important because it is a nesting grounds for several types of birds. The scouts worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in preparing the Island for its Migratory birds (Common tern, Roseate tern).  The scouts helped put the blinds together on the south side of the Island and built a new blind on the north end. They also cleared nesting areas of tall plant growth and prepare nesting boxes for the terns.

The scouts also, where able to go into the light and check out the view from the top as well as received a little history lesson about the light house and the island.

In fact the scientists that are doing research on the island wear hard hats because the birds are so aggressive during nesting season and anyone coming even close to the island is open to attack.

The light house stands 40 feet tall and was completed in 1802. President Thomas Jefferson came out to the island to dedicated the light. Faulkner's Island Light is Connecticut's second oldest lighthouse and also the only active light station on an island in the state.