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Troop 933 |
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Sponsored by the Kiwanis's Club of Vidalia |
Boy Scouts of America
Purpose
The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America, incorporated on February 8, 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916, is to provide an educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop personal fitness.
History of Troop 933:
On February 21, 1919, the first Boy Scout Troop in Vidalia was organized with ten boys as charter members. The first scoutmaster was 34-year-old Walter Lee Downs, Superintendent of Schools at the Vidalia Collegiate Institute (Vidalia High School). The Vidalia Public School System was the Troop's first Chartered Organization (sponsor). The school system sponsored the Boy Scout Troop through 1928.
The Kiwanis Club of Vidalia was the true sponsor and supporter of the Troop from its inception. Professor Downs was a member of the Kiwanis Club. In 1929, the Kiwanis Club of Vidalia officially assumed the role of Chartered Organization and has retained its sponsorship to the present day. Although the troop sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Vidalia has had different numbers assigned in years past, it has remained Troop #933 since 196 1.
The first scout hut was a wood frame house located on the east side of Church Street between 5th and 6th Street. The McNatt, Greene and Thompson Law Offices currently occupy the site. The original Scout Hut lasted for 41 years. The Kiwanis Club of Vidalia purchased six metal Quonset huts from Camp LeJune, North Carolina. The City Council granted the Club permission to erect one of the structures at the comer of Winona Street and 5th Street. According to Carl Cannon, Club President at the time, the Club spent $800.00 on the project. This expenditure depleted the Club's funds for the year. The other structures were donated to Scout Troups in Reidsville, Claxton, Brooklet, and Metter.
In 1993, through the leadership of Matt Oxley, Troop Committee Chairman, the Kiwanis Club of Vidalia stepped forward to erect a new hut. The old "bam raising" method was used with a dawn to dark marathon on November 5, 1994, involving more than 100 volunteers. Through thousands of hours of work by Kiwanians and local citizens, a $25,000 donation from the Sweet Onion Classic Golf Tournament, a $5,000 donation from the American Legion, and numerous other donations of goods and services, the new hut became a reality. The Scouts held their first meeting in the new building on January 28, 1995.
Scoutmasters of Troop 933 |
| Walter Lee Downs | 1919-1930 | Marion Ruffin | 1951-1953 | Donald Key | 1981-1982 |
| Rev. Robert Orr | 1930-1935 | Lewis VanDyke | 1954-1955 | Jim McDaniel | 1983-1984 |
| Carl Renfroe | 1935-1936 | Bryan Lynn | 1955-1963 | Trent R. Powers |
1985 |
| Fred Browning | 1937-1940 | Marshall Black | 1963-1966 | Wendell Metts | 1986-1987 |
| W. M. Watkins | 1941-1942 | Charles Reynolds | 1966-1967 | Dennis Webrand | 1988-1989 |
| T. Winston Ivey | 1943-1944 | Earnest W. Bell | 1967-1969 | Roger Reaves | 1990-1993 |
| Ray Peacock | 1944-1945 | Kenneth Argroves | 1970-1971 | Dwayne Farmer | 1993-1994 |
| J. T. Alexander | 1946-1948 | Bill Hopkins | 1971-1972 | Steve Tomlin | 1994-1998 |
| Gerard Swarthout, Jr. | 1949 | Bill Evans | 1973-1974 | Jesse NeeSmith | 1998-Present |
| T. Winston Ivey | 1950 | Charles Andrew | 1974-1980 |
History of the Boy Scouts:
Robert Baden-Powell rewrote his manual, previously written
as a military training manual, to enhance nature skills fit for young boys
called Scouting for Boys with the help of Ernest Thompson Seton, Daniel
Carter Beard, and others. He later became known as Chief Scout of the World.
Ernest Thompson Seton came to America in the 1880s and established the Woodcraft
Indians. His many books were soon adopted by the Boy Scouts. He later
became the first Chief Scout of the Boy Scouts. Daniel Carter Beard was 61 years
old when he helped found the Boy Scouts and merged his own organization, the
Sons of Daniel Boone, with it. He also helped design the first uniform
worn. William Boyce introduced the Boy Scouts of America in February 1910 after
being helped by a scout in London. He also created the Lone Scouts which merged
in 1924 to the Boy Scouts. James E. West was the first Chief Scout Executive in
1911. He was responsible for the Scouts to grow into a huge and prosperous
organization.
For more information see The Boy Scouts of America
On my honor . . .
By giving your word, you are promising to be guided by the ideals of the Scout Oath.
. . . I will do my best . . .
Try hard to live up to the points of the Scout Oath. Measure your achievements against your own high standards and don't be influenced by peer pressure or what other people do.
. . . To do my duty to God . . .
Your family and religious leaders teach you about God and the ways you can serve. You do your duty to God by following the wisdom of those teachings every day and by respecting and defending the rights of others to practice their own beliefs.
. . . and my country . . .
Help keep the United States a strong and fair nation by learning about our system of government and your responsibilities as a citizen and future voter.
America is made up of countless families and communities. When you work to improve your community and your home, you are serving your country. Natural resources are another important part of America's heritage worthy of your efforts to understand, protect, and use wisely. What you do can make a real difference.
. . . and to obey the Scout Law; . . .
The twelve points of the Scout Law are guidelines that can lead you toward wise choices. When you obey the Scout Law, other people will respect you for the way you live, and you will respect yourself.
. . . To help other people at all times; . . .
There are many people who need you. Your cheerful smile and helping hand will ease the burden of many who need assistance. By helping out whenever possible, you are doing your part to make this a better world.
. . . To keep myself physically strong, . . .
Take care of your body so that it will serve you well for an entire lifetime. That means eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly to build strength and endurance. it also means avoiding harmful drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and anything else that can harm your health.
. . . mentally awake, . . .
Develop your mind both in the classroom and outside of school. Be curious about everything around you, and work hard to make the most of your abilities. With an inquiring attitude and the willingness to ask questions, you can learn much about the exciting world around you and your role in it.
. . . and morally straight.
To be a person of strong character, your relationships with others should be honest and open. You should respect and defend the rights of all people. Be clean in your speech and actions, and remain faithful in your religious beliefs. The values you practice as a Scout win help you shape a life of virtue and self-reliance.
- TRUSTWORTHY
- A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.
- LOYAL
- A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation.
- HELPFUL
- A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward.
- FRIENDLY
- A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own.
- COURTEOUS
- A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.
- KIND
- A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.
- OBEDIENT
- A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.
- CHEERFUL
- A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
- THRIFTY
- A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
- BRAVE
- A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.
- CLEAN
- A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.
- REVERENT
- A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.
Be Prepared
Do a Good Turn Daily