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100 YEARS of

SCOUTING
in Kenilworth

The Boy Scouts, or Scouting, officially began in 1908 in England after the publication of Robert Baden-Powell’s book, Scouting for Boys. Baden-Powell wrote this book as a nonmilitary field manual for a younger audience that also emphasized the importance of morality and good deeds. William Boyce, a Chicago publisher, brought this idea of Scouting back to the U.S. after a Boy Scout came to his aid when he was lost in a London fog. The Scout refused any sort of payment for doing a good deed. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was officially incorporated in 1910.

The first troop of Boy Scouts in Kenilworth formed in 1919 with Carl Keith as the first Scoutmaster. Carl Keith’s son, Elbridge, wrote to the National Scout Headquarters in New York City to establish the Scout Troop in Kenilworth and soon after became one of Troop 13’s first Scouts. Carl Keith served as Scoutmaster for two years until he was succeeded by Roy Jarrett and later by Bob Townley in 1922 who would remain scoutmaster for the next 33 years.

The flat, or "garrison" cap was introduced in 1943 as the second official hat of the BSA, after the campaign hat. The official BSA flat cap is rarely seen despite still being an approved part of Scout uniforms because it has not been manufactured for more than 20 years.

Garrison Hat

The flat, or “garrison” cap was introduced in 1943 as the second official hat of the BSA, after the campaign hat. The official BSA flat cap is rarely seen despite still being an approved part of Scout uniforms because it has not been manufactured for more than 20 years.
Included in this kit: Eagle tie tack, Mother's pin, Eagle award medal, and Eagle badge. The badge is worn on the left shirt pocket. There are seven ranks achievable by Scouts: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. With Eagle being the highest attainable rank. In order to attain the rank of Eagle a Scout must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, 13 of which are required by all Scouts. Since 1969, a silver border outlines the required 13 badges to distinguish them from the rest.

Eagle Scout Presentation Kit, c. 1980s

Included in this kit: Eagle tie tack, Mother’s pin, Eagle award medal, and Eagle badge. The badge is worn on the left shirt pocket. There are seven ranks achievable by Scouts: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. With Eagle being the highest attainable rank. In order to attain the rank of Eagle a Scout must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, 13 of which are required by all Scouts. Since 1969, a silver border outlines the required 13 badges to distinguish them from the rest.