Est. 1954
Forty-Eight years of Scouting memories and moving towards the millennium. Troop 285 has changed outwardly to meet the changing demands of boys but has adhered to the basic scout program. The Troop 285 program is 'executed with unparalleled and bodacious enthusiasm ... still following the basic guidelines as prescribed in the Boy Scout Handbook' says Bill McCalister, Troop 285's Scoutmaster.
Troop 285 was born in March 1954. The same year the United States Air Force Academy was created, RCA introduced the first color television, "Sports Illustrated" began publication, M&M's introduced peanuts, and Shakey's built its first pizza parlor. Forty-eight years later, 911 and theU.S. War on terrorism continues, long lines exist for Stars Wars "Clone Wars", Jay Leno introduces the first television show for High Definition Television (HDTV), "Sports Illustrated" Swimsuit Edition has record sales, M&M's are the official candy of the millennium (now with almonds and in minis) and DeGiorno's rising crust pizza is advertised. Scouts now have nylon tents with mosquito netting and floors all for under five pounds, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) supplement compasses (or replace them), dehydrated and freeze dried foods permit chocolate cakes and pizzas on extended backpacking trips, synthetic clothing wicks moisture away from sweaty bodies versus the soggy cotton feeling. And yet, scout values are alive in the Scout Oath and Law. Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind Obedient Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and, Reverent are still demonstrated and lived through the dedicated adults providing a moral compass to maturing Scouts on their way to manhood.
Troop 285 has evolved from a few boys meeting in the dairy barn of Vivian Jones near the corner of Bitters and Jones-Maltsberger. Now, over 75 boys and 55 adults are meeting in a Scout Hut and planning to build a new Scout Hut. Both, new and old, Scout Huts are on Coker United Methodist property - the troop sponsor.
Outdoor basics continue to be emphasized through camping. Traditional and popular weekend locations on the Guadalupe River, Bear Creek, and other Texas sites hone outdoor skills. Improved transportation systems now permit the troop to expand their camping abilities to include more High Adventure Locations including Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Canada, Bahamas, and beyond. It is not unusual for a Troop 285 Scout to visit several states and foreign countries within his scouting career.
Troop 285's high standards are not compromised in several core areas. An M.D. (Zack Taylor) always teaches the First Aid Merit Badge and provides refreshers for High Adventure trips, an attorney (Ted Lee) guides the scouts through the Citizenship Merit Badges by allowing them to participate in learning processes. These include the Trial of Santa Claus, visiting local judges and understanding the world through role-playing. Twain Tharp, NEISD executive, sharpens their communication skills for the Communication Merit Badge. Bill McCalister, Scoutmaster and Entrepreneur, guides the scouts through the financial jungles for their Personal Management Merit Badge. Frank Hiett, safety engineer, leads Troop 285 to impressive safety records and teaches the Safety and Emergency Preparedness Merit Badges.
Learning and practicing leadership skills are very important to Troop 285 Scouts; therefore, once a year the adults sponsor a Leadership Weekend. This weekend is where Scouts discuss leadership techniques, successes, and failures. Adults provide guidance and instruction ending with an investment opportunity night and team building exercises. The list continues on and on to many dedicated volunteers who make Troop 285 successful.
What do the Scouts remember? Most of the time the memories change as the Scouts get older. While in Troop 285, they remember the static campouts with Bill McCalister (Mr. Mac) cooking. Grits, grits and more grits with pork chops, eggs, sausages, and beignets for breakfast. Supper could consist of pasta, steaks, stews, salads, and lavish desserts. Goose Island fish fries are always the biannual treat. Master storyteller Dave Kibler relating the Texas Tales of J. Frank Dobie around the warm glow of the evening campfire. They remember hiking, canoeing and biking through tiredness and sore muscles. Selling fertilizer door to door to finance summer camps and High Adventure events may also be memorable. However, after leaving the troop and graduating from college, the memories center on friendships, adult role models, and knowing how to persevere in life. All this is made possible by leadership with a vision and role models with moral convictions. Much thanks goes to Scoutmaster Bill McCalister, Troop 285's visionary, and his decades invested in scouting.
Troop History written by: Jon Carlson
