Who We Are - History

Troop 261 was organized in November 1952 to the then Northwest District of the Central Ohio Council Boy Scouts of America. Odin Wilhelmy, Jr officially chartered it on January 31, 1953. Mr. Wilhelmy had formerly been with Troop 18 in the state of New York before moving to Columbus in the spring of 1952. A friend of his at the Battelle Institute, William H. Browne, asked Mr. Wilhelmy to organize a new troop. Mr. Browne's son and several other boys were just coming out of Cub Scouts and needed a Boy Scout troop to join. After checking with several organizations, Mr. Wilhelmy asked Trinity Methodist Church to be the sponsor because of its facilities and its location. Trinity had had a long history with Scouting dating back to January 1924 when it began its sponsorship with Troop 19. That sponsorship had ended in 1951. The church would further extend its support of Scouting in 1958 with Troop 252. Troop 252 served the Grandview area until 1980.

Troop 261 first met in the old fellowship hall before the North wing of Trinity was built. The Scoutmaster's emphasis was on learning skills and on rank advancement. Within a few short years the troop quickly reached 50 boys. During the mid to late 1950's the troop had to establish a waiting list because of the interest in joining the troop. Because of this large number of boys interested in getting into the troop, an Explorer Post 261 was organized in 1957 for the boys 14 and older. Scouts in the troop, as they reached the age of 14, were graduated into the post.

Troop 261 today is part of the Buckeye District that is in the Simon Kenton Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The troop has approximately 45 boys registered. Emphasis is on the aims of Scouting; Character development, citizenship training, and mental and physical fitness. The troop uses the eight fundamental methods of Scouting ((1) the ideals as spelled out in the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan; (2) the patrol method; (3) the outdoors; (4) advancement; (5) association with adults; (6) personal growth; (7) leadership development; and (8) the uniform) to meet the boys' hope for fun and adventure and to achieve these aims. In Troop 261, the boys themselves take on the leadership positions that plan the troop activities, run the troop meetings, and that organize and run the outdoor adventures they choose to undertake. The pages that follow chronicle the high points of what has been a very successful first 50 years. Congratulations to all those who have helped these boys of Troop 261 become good men.
-- Ed Kampbell,
Scoutmaster Emeritus

JANUARY 1953 -- OCTOBER 1974
Scoutmaster: Odin Wilhelmy, Jr

Odin Wilhelmy chartered Troop 261 on January 31, 1953. The troop's chartering organization was the Trinity Methodist Church. The first meeting had a grand total of 9 boys present. By the second meeting that number had grown to 15. With the word being spread that a new troop was available the number of registered boys quickly grew to approximately 45. As this number was deemed the maximum the adult leadership felt they could support adequately as a new unit, the troop soon developed a waiting list of approximately 35 boys. Under pressure to offer the Scouting program to as many as they could, Explorer Post 261 was formed in 1957. The Post subsequently took all the boys 14 (and older) from the troop each year in order to make room for those on the waiting list.

The troop met weekly from September to the first week in June. Each meeting consisted of falling in, roll call, skill classes, patrol competition, and a snack. Meetings lasted approximately one and one-half hours. The skills were adult taught (i.e., an M.D. taught First Aid). Dues were a nickel ($0.05) per week. The Patrols were Snake, Hawk, Beaver, and Coyote.

The troop went camping, or on a hike, September through May. Regular camping spots included Camp Akita, Camp Longhorn, and the North Minster Presbyterian Camp. They also went on a weeklong encampment during the summer at Camp Lazarus. They typically took 25 – 30 boys to summer camp. The troop routinely took part in the District's camporees. The Scouts of 261 were so proficient in their Scout skills that they routinely took First Place at the camporees. This early dominance prompted the District to change the competition from the troop level to the patrol level. The next camporee the troop then took First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Sixth Places in the camporee competition (note that the troop had five patrols at that time). The troop made one trip to Philmont and one trip to the National Jamboree.

The troop's annual fundraiser was normally held in January. They sold Krispy Krème donuts door to door. They tried one year to sell First Aid kits, but that wasn't a successful venture for them. At Christmas time the troop took on the task of helping five needy families. They would assemble clothing, food, and toys per the profile of need they were given for these families and several of the adults would help them present this to the families.

Leadership elections were for one-year terms of office. These elections were done in September. The Scouts were honored for their accomplishments two times per year. One Court of Honor was held the first Tuesday in June; the other the first Tuesday in December. In addition to the BSA provided advancement program, Mr. Wilhelmy brought with him from his Scouting experience in Ithaca, New York the "Honor Scout" program. This program of recognizing the Scout's overall performance in the troop (attendance, participation, advancement) is still in use today.

Those young men obtaining Eagle during this period of the troop's history were:
1956 William H. Browne, Jr. / Charles H. Baber
1957 Tipton A. Brown* / Douglas F. Hale / Karl R. Shaffer
1958 Thomas S. Sharp / David H. Greegor* / Douglas E. Hartman / J. Robert Chambers / John R. MacGregor / Stephen P. Smith / Jeffrey M. Laylin
1959 William G. Chambers / Charles W. Mahan / Thomas D. Collins
1960 Theodore W. Schaffner / A. Frederick Elsasser / Stephen N. Kolodzik / Raymond R. Latham
1961 William R. Fletcher / David C. Gobel / Thomas G. Hartman / Herbert B. Kinney / James N. Green / James L. Browne* / David B. McClintock*
1962 Brent A. Anderson / William J. Hartman / James G. Wilson / Gary L. Price / Roger A. Jones* / Jeffrey M. Cox* / Rodger B. Wilson*
1963 Daniel L. James / Frederick L. Talcott / Robert S. Crane / Richard E. Heil / Douglas C. Karnap
1964 Michael L. Caldwell / Ralph J. Kramer / Michael E. Graves / Robert B. Bowen / Craig W. Anderson / Christopher M. Copeland
1965 James R. Millkan / John W. Hosterman* / Richard W. Bowen* / J. Scott Anstaett / Patrick L. Caldwell / Thomas W. Crane / Frank S. Stephens* / John A. Adams
1966 R. Bruce Henne / Paul E. Wallingford / Kent G. Coppins
1967 William J. Caldwell / Mark A. Leslie / Stephen A. McClave / Craig B. Toothman / Mark E. Saylor
1968 Gregory C. Hamilton / Marc W. Graves
1969 David Z. Saylor / R. Mark Blum / K. Scott Lawrence / Jay B. Cochran / Jeffrey E. Cochran / Gregory B. Comfort / Harold D. Koutz*
1970 William R. McClave / Jay K. Anstaett / Stephen J. Copeland
1971 John E. Senn / Paul R. Keith / William H. McKinley
1972 Robert T. Baker / Thomas P. Crawford / Thomas J. Stiverson / Tim E. Evans / Peter B. Henne
1973 David A. Williams / James E. Guy* / Thomas E. Kemple / Robert E. Filer / Eric E. Dougherty / Jeffrey L. DeWeese* / John M. Lorenz* / Thomas P. Steele* / Brent C. Reider
1974 James B. Lucas*
* Denotes earning Eagle through the Post

NOVEMBER 1974 -- JANUARY 1978
Scoutmaster: Robert B. Bowen

The troop continued to register approximately 40 boys during Mr. Bowen's tenure as Scoutmaster. There were between four and five patrols. The patrols were Beaver, Coyote, Hawk, and Snake. The troop continued to camp and/or hike once a month. Favorite camping locations were Camp Wilson, Camp Longhorn, Camp Falling Rock, and Mohican State Park. The troop continued to participate in the District's annual spring camporees. Winter camping was typically done in a lodge rather than tent camping. The troop regularly participated in the Toys for Tots program at Christmas.

The young men who obtained Eagle during this period of the troop's history were:
1977 George H. Timmons / Robert S. Sipp

FEBRUARY 1978 -- AUGUST 1978
Scoutmaster: Arthur C. Peters

No historical information is available for this brief period in the troop's history other than the young man who attained his Eagle. It is assumed that the program continued to follow the path established in the prior period.

The young man who obtained Eagle during this period of the troop's history was:
1978 Arthur C. Peters, Jr.

SEPTEMBER 1978 -- AUGUST 1979
Scoutmaster: Robert Goodell

Again, no historical information is available for this brief period in the troop's history other than the young man who attained his Eagle. It is assumed that the program continued to follow the path established in the prior period. The few records available indicate that there were approximately 35 Scouts in the troop during this time frame.

The young man who obtained Eagle during this period of the troop's history was:
1978 David R. Schirtzinger

SEPTEMBER 1979 -- JANUARY 1982
Scoutmaster: Stephen Snyder

The late 70's and early 80's saw a lot of other activities begin to vie for the boys' time. During this time frame for the troop the registration fell to 30 boys. There were four patrols; one of which used the name Hawk.

The meetings continued on Tuesday nights using the established format; fall in, roll call, skill sessions, patrol competition, closing. The boys were particularly fond of the game "British Bulldog". The troop established a high commitment to its outdoor program during this period. Camping, backpacking, and canoeing were practiced year round. Cooking skills were honed. Orienteering skills were practiced and refined using long distance courses in the field such as the one at Tar Hollow State Park. The troop planned and completed at least two 20-30 mile backpacking treks. They attended summer camp at Lazarus and Leveque. Memories shared indicate that they loved the remoteness of Leveque but the swimming facilities, dining hall, and merit badge program of Lazarus.

The commitment to community service was also very high with the troop. They participated in the Toys for Tots program, the practice of placing flags on the veterans' graves in Union Cemetary every Memorial Day, providing food to the needy at Thanksgiving, and helping Trinity with its needy family outreach program at Christmas.

FEBRUARY 1982 -- DECEMBER 1991
Scoutmaster: Charles E. Brant

The troop roster started this period with 25 boys and grew to 55 boys by 1991. The troop started with three patrols and advanced to four patrols. The patrols used the names Beaver, Panther, Raven, and Snake. Troop meetings were held every Tuesday evening September through summer camp (typically attended in late June or early July). August was reserved for family vacations and patrol activities.

The troop camped once every month September through summer camp. Winter camping utilized cabins. One of the winter campouts particularly enjoyed by the boys was the VCR campout. A canoe campout was typically done in September. For the years when Ohio State played Indiana University in Bloomington, the troop attended the game and then camped out in the Blue Springs Cavern near Bedford, Indiana. The cooking campout was an annual highlight event. The patrols competed using very elaborate costuming and scenery to deliver an additional level of fun to their planned dinner's theme. Camping locations utilized by the troop included Camp Falling Rock, Camp Lazarus, Cricket Hollow, Camp Longhorn and numerous scout reservations around the state during the off season, as well as John Bryan, Tar Hollow, Salt Fork, and Mohican State Parks,
to name a few. The troop's summer camp location was changed from Lazarus to Woodland Trails.
The troop took boys to Philmont three times during this period.

The Troop Committee was reactivated from several to fourteen adults assigned to advancement, treasury, fund raising, transportation, and equipment. Individual scout accounts were established for summer camp, Philmont, and other High Adventure expeditions. The Committee underwrote four annual candidates to the Central Ohio Council Junior Leader Training, and one candidate to the National Junior Leader Training Conference at Philmont in New Mexico.

Fundraising was expanded from the fall candy sale to include a flower sale in the spring. The profits were apportioned three quarters to the troop and one quarter the Scout's account in the fall; and three quarters to the scout's account and one quarter to the troop in the spring. A two and one half foot tall trophy and two others were awarded to the top three fall salesmen. This enabled the troop's program to reinforce the point in the Scout Law that states, "A Scout is thrifty. He pays his own way."

Two troop elections in sync with local elections in the fall and spring, as well as one winter Order of the Arrow election were held annually. Fall, winter, and spring Courts of Honor were established the first Tuesday of October, February, and June. At each Court three Honor Scout Medals were awarded, and Camping Hour Medals were issued in five hundred hour increments to the scouts who in many cases camped multiple thousands of hours. Typifying the many Merit Badges earned by the Scouts during this period, one of the Eagle Scouts earned more than fifty-one (and was awarded six Palms to his Eagle). The troop participated in the annual Northwest District and the consolidated Buckeye District Fall and Spring Camporees as well as the Central Ohio Council Scout-O-Rama. The troop backpacked each four years into and from the spring District Camporee when the long distance Turtle Hike was held. Order of the Arrow troop members held offices including Council Lodge Chief, most positions in the ceremonies and dance team, and Lodge Adult Advisor. Many troop OA members attended regional and national OA conclaves. Each February the Troop attended Scout Sunday services at Trinity United Methodist Church.

The troop reactivated Post 261, which had been inactive for some time; this was done to give the senior Scouts between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two continued membership unless they took an adult junior leadership position with the troop. A new post charter and flag were formally presented at a regular troop Court of Honor. Community service was routinely given through 25 Eagle service projects and the traditional
commitments such as the placing of flags on the veterans' graves in Union Cemetery for the Memorial Day holiday.

The young men who obtained Eagle during this time frame were:
1982 Douglas M. Dudewicz / Michael S. Highman
1983 David A. Brant / Duncan J. Snyder / Timothy D. Crawford
1985 Glenn R. Norton / James H.Gaupp / Douglas J. Moody / Craig E. Larrimer
1987 Christian B. Jensen / Scott C. Strauss / Steven C. Norton / Marty M. Shull / Thomas E. Gaupp
1988 Eric E. Hill / Robert R. Henry / Sean M. Conroy / David R. Baumgartner / Aaron Bright/ Thomas M. Hayes
1989 Christopher T. Smith
1990 Michael G. Rowland / Jeffrey R. Mason
1991 David J. Roeger / Nathan E. Johnson
* Denotes earning Eagle through the Post

JANUARY 1992 -- MARCH 1996
Scoutmaster: Michael Szolosi

The troop roster started this period with 55 boys and was at 45 boys by 1996. The troop had four patrols. The patrols used the names Beaver, Cougar, Panther, and Raven. Troop meetings were held every Tuesday evening September through summer camp (typically attended in late June or early July). August was reserved for family vacations and patrol activities. The troop camped once every month September through summer camp. Winter camping continued to utilize cabins. The boys always looked forward to the VCR campout. The tradition of the canoe campout in September was continued as well.

For the years when Ohio State played Indiana University in Bloomington, the troop attended the game and then camped out in the Blue Springs Cavern near Bedford, Indiana. The cooking campout reigned as a perennial highlight event. The patrols reached a crescendo of their use of very elaborate costuming and scenery to deliver that additional level of fun to their planned dinner's theme. Camping locations utilized by the troop included Camp Falling Rock, Camp Lazarus, Cricket Hollow, Salt Fork State Park, Fort Ancient, and Mohican State Park. The troop also ventured to Mammoth Caves in Kentucky. The troop's summer camp location was continued at Woodland Trails.

Fundraisers consisted of a candy sale in the fall and a flower sale in the spring. Community service was routinely given through 12 Eagle service projects and the traditional commitments such as the placing of flags on the veterans' graves in Union Cemetery for the Memorial Day holiday. Courts of honor to recognize the Scouts advancement progress were conducted the first Tuesday in October, February, and June. The tradition of the Honor Scout award at each of these courts of honor was continued. During this time frame the troop began to contribute some of its junior leaders to the Council's junior leader training courses. The boys were also active in the Order of the Arrow.

The young men who obtained Eagle during this period of the troop's history were:
1992 Peter A. Fortman / Teddy Mueller / Stephen M Szolosi / Ryan L. Berry / Jason A. Moore
1993 Jeffrey J. Barta / Timothy E. Rowland / Adam K. Oliver / Christopher P. Cordts
1994 Bruce W. Scarberry / Douglas Barry Lynn / Justin M. Bird
1995 C. Bradley Kampbell / Nathaniel James French

APRIL 1996 -- SEPTEMBER 2000
Scoutmaster: Ed Kampbell

The troop roster for this time period averaged 45 boys. The outside interests of football, lacrosse, soccer, and basketball, which many of the boys participated in, challenged the troop activities, but the troop still had an active group of 25 to 30 Scouts at the meetings and on most campouts. Troop meetings were held every Tuesday evening; September through July. The meetings typically involved an assembly with an opening (typically presentation of the colors, pledge of allegiance, and recitation of the Scout Oath and Law), followed by roll call, Scout skills classes, a patrol or troop game reinforcing that skill, followed by a closing ceremony.

The meetings were planned and executed by the boy leaders with assistance by adults as requested. The experienced Scouts taught the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class skill classes. Fall and winter meetings were typically 7:30 to 9:00PM; with the spring and summer meetings extended to 7:00 to 9:00PM. Patrols were the Beaver, Cobra, Cougar, Panther, and Raven. Scout skills and boy leadership were heavily stressed. The troop camped year round excepting the month of August. August was reserved for the junior leadership's planning campout. Canoeing, caving, backpacking, orienteering, rappelling, biking, wilderness survival, shooting sports (shot gunning, riflery, and archery), snow skiing, and whitewater rafting were some of the routinely planned adventures. At all these encampments the patrol method was is full practice. The annual
cooking campout was definitely one not to miss.

The troop camped rain or shine, hot or cold. Only one campout was cancelled during this period. It was to have been a 20-mile, two-night backpacking adventure, but due to a driving snowstorm and -25°F wind-chill temperatures the weekend event was cancelled. The troop did go on to camp in temperatures below 10°F (in tents) on at least four campouts during this period. Their Scout skills truly demonstrated that they knew how to "Be Prepared". During this period of time, many within the Simon Kenton Council came to know troop 261 as a high adventure troop. The troop took three crews (18 boys / 9 adults) to Philmont in July of 1996. This trip was secured and planned for the troop by Mike Szolosi during his tenure as Scoutmaster. In addition to Philmont, the troop planned and executed a long distance backpacking trek in the summer of 1999 on Isle Royale (in Lake Superior near the U.S. - Canadian border) and a canoeing high adventure outing at Tinnerman Canoe Base (in Ontario, Canada) in the summer of 2000.

Summer camp was varied every two years during this timeframe. The troop attended Woodland Trails (in Western Ohio) in the summers of 1996 and 1997, Camp Crooked Creek (in Northwestern Kentucky) in the summers of 1998 and 1999, and Seven Ranges Scout Reservation (Northeastern Ohio) in the summer of 2000. Rank advancement for Tenderfoot through First Class was junior leader reviewed by a panel of three senior Scouts from the Leadership Corps. Once affirmed by the junior leaders, the Scouts then proceeded to the formal adult run board of review. Courts of honor to recognize the Scouts advancement progress were conducted the first Tuesday in October, February, and June. As a natural outgrowth of the troop's emphasis on boy leadership and good Scout skills several of the troop's junior leadership served on the Simon Kenton Council's Junior Leader Training Course staff; and at least one of the troop's junior leaders served on the National BSA Junior Leader Training Course's staff (taught at Philmont).

Fundraisers for the troop were the candy (or popcorn) sale in the fall and the flower sale in the spring. The commitment to community service was also very high with the troop. 12 Eagle service projects were completed along with the troop's annual practice of placing flags on the veterans' graves in Union Cemetery every Memorial Day, and caroling for the residents of the retirement center on Fifth Avenue at Christmas time. The troop was routinely asked to provide color guards for the communities of Grandview, Upper Arlington, and Hilliard.

The young men who obtained Eagle during this period of the troop's history were:
1996 Ian M. Kidner / Matthew D. Kennedy / Mark A. Hunsberger / Andrew M. Szolosi
1997 Jason R. Moore / Brian J. Szolosi
1998 Brant D. Lucas / Joseph M. Werner / Bret M. Alexander
2000 Mark G. Kobe / Timothy A. Conard

OCTOBER 2000 -- JUNE 2007
Scoutmaster: Robert Fiedler

The troop continued to register approximately 35 to 40 boys. The meetings and outings average 20 boys. Troop meetings continue to be held every Tuesday evening; September through July. The meetings typically involve an assembly with an opening (typically presentation of the colors, pledge of allegiance, and recitation of the Scout Oath and Law), followed by roll call, Scout skills classes, a patrol or troop game reinforcing that skill, followed by a closing ceremony. The meetings are planned and executed by the boy leaders with assistance by adults as requested. The experienced Scouts teach the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class skill classes. Courts of honor to recognize the Scouts advancement progress are conducted the first Tuesday in October, February, and June. Patrols are the Beaver, Cougar, Falcon, and Panther.

The troop continued to stress Scout skills and boy leadership. The troop's junior leadership makes plans to have an outing at least once a month. The outing for August is typically the junior leadership's planning campout; although some high adventure events have been held in this month as well. Caving, rappelling, shooting sports, cooking, and the like continue to dominate their choices for these outings. The troop planned and executed their own backpacking trek in the Adirondack Mountains of New York during the summer of 2001; and returned to Tinnerman Canoe Base (in Ontario, Canada) during the summer of 2003. The troop continues with its rotation of summer camps to give the boys a varied long-term encampment experience. The troop attended Seven Ranges Scout Reservation in 2001, returned to Camp Crooked Creek for the summer of 2002, Camp Pioneer in 2003 & 2004, and Camp Heritage in 2005 & 2006.

The troop's junior leadership continues to contribute trainers to the Council's junior leader training courses; and is very active with the Order of the Arrow. Fundraisers for the troop are the popcorn sale in the fall and the flower sale in the spring. The commitment to community service was also very high with the troop. Three Eagle service projects have been completed along with the troop's annual practice of placing flags on the veterans' graves in Union Cemetery every Memorial Day, and caroling for the residents of the retirement center on Fifth Avenue at Christmas time. The troop routinely provides color guards for the communities of Grandview, Upper Arlington, and Hilliard.

The young men who have obtained Eagle during this period of the troop's history are:
2000 Steven G. Orenchuk
2001 J. Kent Hansan / Eric C. Kuipers
2004 William W. Greiner / David E. Kormanik / Kevin R. Fiedler / Andrew V. Stiebler / Jesse D. Moss
2005 Roger C. Landes / Thomas A. Gulker

JUNE 2007 -- Present
Scoutmaster: Mike Biedenharn

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