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BSA Troop 30

BSA Troop 30, one of the oldest in Arkansas, was chartered to Forest Park Methodist Church (at the site on the corner of Cantrell and Pierce) on November 30, 1947.Meetings were held in the basement of the Church. The Scoutmaster at the inception was V. M. Waltz. The Troop's first Eagle Scout was awarded to W. I. Moody and was awarded in December, 1949. We are claiming our 60 years of service to youth at the 2009 re-charter.

The Boy Scouts of America grants a charter to organize a Scouting unit such as a troop, pack or crew. The United Methodist Church has a long history in this regard with more troops under charter at United Methodist Churches than any other denomination. The Church has a liaison between the church and the Scouting unit. The Church name for this position has been Scouting Coordinator. The BSA's name for the job is Charter Organization Representative. Ken Jones has been one of St. Paul's most active and dedicated Scouting Coordinator/Charter Organization Representatives. Tom Dodson has faithfully served as Charter Organization Representative since 1979 for all St. Paul's Units.

Troop 30 continues to be an extremely active troop.

As of 2008 we regularly send two contingents to summer camp at Camp Rockefeller and Camp Kia Kima (Chickasaw Council). We generally plan at least one weekend activity, campout, backpacking hike, canoe trip, Camporee, or summer camp visit for every month, year round. We enjoy a tight association with Pack 30 (our main 'feeder' pack - although new Scouts come from many packs) and also our Venture Crew 30 (the older Scouts transition to this high adventure group as they turn 16 or 17). Troop 30 is also regularly involved in community activities including collecting and distributing food for charities, work on city parks, projects benefiting community churches and collecting and sending gifts and items to our troops overseas in Iraq.

Troop 30 leadership continually provides the support necessary to keep the Scouts involved in "high adventure" activities such as Philmont Scout Reservation in the years 1980, 1983, 1986, 2007 and 2008. Northern Tier (aka. canoe base) had a contingent in 2007. Our Scouts have attended the National Jamboree over the years. This event has had our support and a high percentage of our Scouts and leaders have participated (including in 1951 and 2001 and 2005. There are plans for 2010, the 100 year anniversary of the BSA).

Troop 30 has produced many Eagle Scouts over the years, and probably has a higher percentage than most Troops. This can be attributed to the hard work of the many volunteers in the troop who help guide the boys on their path towards this goal. From 1949 to date in October, 2008, Troop 30 has seen 79 Scouts receive their Eagle Scout recognition.

At the present time, there are 66 registered Scouts and 37 Scout leaders in the troop. Troop 30 meets at a building that St. Paul's owns called the "Annex" on Tuesday nights at 7pm. Joining information can be found on the new Troop website at www.scouttroop30.com.