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Troop History 
 

Seven enthusiastic boys attended the first meeting on Monday evening, March 9, 1953 at Forest Hill Church. Council soon accepted the charter application and assigned number 403 the troop.

At the first committee meeting on March 18, "It was agreed that by commencing camp-outs, hikes, and group trips...more boys...would be attracted to the troop." This philosophy, supported by willing scoutmasters, scouts, and parents, has probably been a major factor in the success of the troop.

Chagrin Valley was the location of the first overnight on June 6 - 7, 1953. The program expanded, and a camping chairman was soon named. in 1956, a transportation chairman appointed. Weekend camp-outs have been scheduled almost every month for the past 50 years.

Ohio and Pennsylvania, and even to Canada, the troop has participated in district camporees and events, National Jamborees, Tinnerman, Florida Seabase and Philmont adventures. Since 1954, our scouts have usually attended summer camp at Beaumont, but have also gone to Frontier, D BAR, Firelands and Merz.

Popular activities have included: father-son outings, many years of regular swimming starting 1954 and service projects. Family Christmas parties from 1959 through 1973 featured skits, caroling, courts of honor, and food collections for the needy, Father-son banquets were enjoyed from 1954 through 1973. When catering became very expensive, annual family potluck dinners were initiated in 1974,

Besides dues, three main fund raisers have supported the troop's program. the Strawberry Festival, still an annual community attraction, was first held June 26, 1953. Quarterly paper sales were popular from 1954 through 1970 when annual light bulb sales began. In the year 2000, Boy Scout Trails End Popcorn sales became the primary fundraiser.

The troop has served over one thousand boys. Sixty-four Troop 403 scouts have earned the eagle rank, the highest in scouting. The Indian headdress ceremony, part of the first Eagle Court of Honor in 1957 held on a camp-out at South Chagrin, remains a tradition.

Our over 40 scouts, their families, and friends salute troop 403, and wish it continued success.

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