TROOP HISTORY

In February, 1991, a group of four boys, Danny Christoff, Christopher Hensman,
David Schmidt, and Eiroy King, graduated from a Cub Scout unit and registered as the first
members of the unit now known as BSA Troop 421. The first Scoutmaster of this unit was
Mike Bailey, an individual who had no boy of his own who was of Scout age, but who had
a willingness and then proceeded to demonstrate an uncanny ability to work with this group
of young men.
Their first camping experience was at the Spring Camporee 1991 held at Camp
Helendade. The boys had never been camping as a unit, and found themselves in snow
conditions, required to carry their equipment approximately 3/4 mile from their vehicles to
their designated campsite and set up their camp in the dark. In the end, they earned the
coveted "Spirit Award" for this camporee...
As their first year progressed and the troop grew, the boys organized an all day
planning session to plan the upcoming year. It was at this planning session that the boys
of the troop decided to be a backpacking and outdoor activity-oriented troop.
Fall Camporee 1991 held at Firestone Scout Camp in Orange County was another
challenge. Once again the troop, now more than double in size, was competing with other
units with older more experienced Scouts. This time they walked away with the Second
Place Ribbon!
The balance of the first year was filled with camping in various conditions and
terrain, working on skills and advancement. By the end of this first year the unit had grown
to sixteen boys, with ranks including a new Star Scout, three Second Class Scouts, a
handful of Tenderfoot Scouts, as well as a few New Scouts. The time had come to elect
a Senior Patrol Leader! Dwayne Nelson, the oldest boy in the troop, was elected. He
picked Danny Christoff to be the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. The troop was well on
its way to becoming boy-run!
The start of the second year saw a change in Scoutmaster as Mr. Bailey reluctantly
relinquished his post as the leader of this fine unit.   Bob Christoff assumed the
responsibility of Scoutmaster and a new year. Participation in Spring Camporee 1992 at
Lake Perris Bernasconi Beach gave the patrols opportunities to compete, demonstrate the
patrol method, and to have FUN!!!  One of the two patrols earned the Second Place
Ribbon. Additionally, the Senior Patrol Leader of the troop was "tapped out" for Order of
the Arrow, the BSA national honor camper organization. What a weekend!