Boy Scouts of America was formed on February 8, 1910, three years after Robert Baden-Powell held the first Boy Scout Camp in England. ⁽⁶⁾ President Taft and Vice President Theodore Roosevelt accepted titles of honorary President and Vice President of the Boy Scouts of America. Within two years there were Boy Scouts enrolled in every state. By 1921 there were over 500,000 registered Boy Scouts.

During the 1920's, two Boy Scout Troops met in Concord. In 1925 five boys from Troop 1 in Concord, including Gill Lawrence and Delmore Willard, became the first Eagle Scouts in the council that served Waltham, Watertown and Concord. ⁽⁴⁾

The current Boy Scout Troop 132, was formed in 1969 at Trinitarian Episcopal Church, and shortly thereafter moved to First Parish Church. During the 1980's Troop #132 absorbed five other troops that had met at Sanborn School (#135), St. Bernard's (#133), Our Lady of Help Christian Church (#143), West Concord Union Church (#159) and Trinity Episcopalian Church. ⁽⁵⁾

In 1990 Boy Scout Troop 132 moved its weekly meetings to the Scout House.

Campfire Girls

Campfire Girls was founded in 1910 in Vermont by Luther and Charlotte Gulick. By 1914 Concord girls had earned honor beads in the Punkatasset Campfire Girls.⁽⁷⁾

Girl Scouts

On March 2, 1912 the first Girl Guide (later changed to Girl Scout) troop meeting in America was held by Juliette (Daisy) Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia. Ms. Low had become involved with the Girl Guides formed in England by Agnes, Robert Baden-Powell's sister. ^GSUSA

In the fall of 1925, Girl Scouting in Concord was started by Frances Wheeler, with Troop 1 being led by Sylvia Ballou and Mary Foss. Finding a suitable place to meet was always a problem, so a Building Committee was appointed to plan a Concord Girl Scout House. The Committee acquired the Stow Barn and, in 1930 created the Concord Scout House as we know it today. (See Renovation.)

The first Girl Scout rally was held at the new Scout House on June 5, 1931. The first Concord Golden Eaglets were awarded to Betty Beckvold and Molly Harlow, 52 girls received merit badges from Mrs. Henry Coolidge and 23 girls received gold stars for perfect attendance. The first fire was built on June 7 when each Girl Scout ceremonially laid a piece of wood on the hearth. Boy Scouts assisted at the door.

For many years Girl Scouts sang taps at the Scout House flagpole after the Memorial Day parade.

Concord Scout Sponsors

During World War II, the Concord Boy Scout Sponsors was formed (1943) to support and sponsor the eight existing troops and the Cub Scout packs while fathers were away in the military. The Concord Scout Sponsors (the name was changed in 1996) support local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops. They own the 10-acre Scout Island in Warner's Pond, a canoe trailer and enough canoes, paddles, life preservers for scout use. ⁽⁵⁾ For information about this group, contact kmsbruce@compuserve.com .

Current Scouting