Bluffton Boy Scouts gather for 100th celebration Sunday

Bluffton Cub Scout Pack 256 and Boy Scout Troop 256 invites current and former Cub an Boy Scouts and leaders to attend a centennial celebration of the Boy Scouts of America on Sunday, Sept 5, at First Mennonite Church.

"This will be a centennial celebration, scout reunion, an opportunity to view an expansive display of 'Scout Stuff' from Bluffton scouts over the decades, the Troop's Court of Honor and the Cub Pack's recognition of summer activities," said Dr. Darrell Groman about the event.

The program will include the Roll Calls of Honor to recognize the Bluffton Cubmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, Scoutmasters, Bluffton Eagle Scouts, Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope and Silver Buffalo recipients.

Also, there will be brief reviews of the history of scouting in the U.S. and in Bluffton, which can be traced back to 1912.

The unsponsored troops, including Troop #4 during the mid-to-late 1920s, were in existence from 1912 to 1938.

The chartered troops included BSA Troops #56/#256 (now 71 years of unbroken charter,) Troops #82 and #234.

The Cub Pack #256 was chartered in 1954 as Pack #56. There were Cub Scouts in a Pack in Bluffton during the late 1940s, which may have been sponsored by the Bluffton Presbyterian Church. The Bluffton Cub Pack #256 and Scout Troop #256 charter records 1939 to present will be on hand for the scout alumni to review.

The program will include lists of the names of all of the current Cubs in their respective divisions from Tiger Cubs through Webelos II, the Cub leaders and the Scouts in their respective ranks, along with Scout leaders.

The 'Scout stuff' displays in the Fellowship Hall at 1:30 p.m. and after the program. The program will begin in the sanctuary at 2 p.m. and conclude around 3:30 p.m.