Determining the exact date when the first Boy Scout troop in Westford was established is challenging. According to the Westford Wardsman (1906-1916), in 1911, Principal Dexter Coggshall of Westford Academy organized a group of boys that was called “Boy Scouts.” Initially, there were a total of 16 boys, divided into two “divisions” or “patrols.” One patrol was led by Leon Hildreth, while the other was led by Edward Blodgett. The boys played Determining the exact date when the first Boy Scout troop in Westford was established is challenging. According to the Westford Wardsman (1906-1916), in 1911, Principal Dexter Coggshall of Westford Academy organized a group of boys that was called “Boy Scouts.” Initially, there were a total of 16 boys, divided into two “divisions” or “patrols.” One patrol was led by Leon Hildreth, while the other was led by Edward Blodgett. The boys engaged in various field games and even competed against Westford Academy. Their commitment to community service was evident early on, as the Boy Scouts helped with Memorial Day and Fourth of July celebrations in 1912.
In 1912, Troop 1-W was officially chartered under the Lowell Council. That year marked a significant turning point for scouting in Westford, thanks to the leadership of Scoutmaster William C. Roudenbush and Assistant Scoutmaster Alfred Tuttle. Roudenbush and Tuttle shifted the focus of the meetings to teach the boys the principles of scouting.
For more information about the history of scouting in Westford, please select from the following Westford Scouting posts.
Westford Scouting Posts
History of Scouting in Westford
Origins of Scouting The origins of scouting date back to 1907 when Lord Robert Baden-Powell founded the scouting movement in England. In 1909, Chicago publisher, William Dickson Boyce, was visiting
Westford Eagle Scouts
Eagle is the highest rank in Scouting. Currently, it requires a Scout to be active in the troop, complete 21 merit badges, serve for 6 months in a troop leadership
Scouting Artifacts
Westford BSA Patch Historic Trail Awards. Established in 1956 to promote citizenship. It is awarded for studying about, hiking or camping along, or performing a service project on a historic
Campfire Ashes
Campfire ashes stored in an old film canister CAMPFIRE ASHES Ashes taken from a campfire are sprinkled into the flames of the next campfire. The next morning, when the