In 1966, Troop 205 was first chartered to what was known as First United Presbyterian Church in Murrysville. (Now known as Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church.) Troop 205 has a rich history and continues to be the best Boy Scout Troop in Murrysville and one of the best troops in the Westmoreland-Fayette Council. This rich history includes 66 Eagle Scouts, several First Place finishes in district First Aid meets, several First Place finishes in the Klondike Derby ( a winter camping and scouting skills competition), and a holder of the white feather award given to the cleanest and most scout like campsite at Camp Conestoga during summer camp.
Troop 205 presently has youth members ranging in rank from Scout up to an Eagle Scout with a Gold Palm. In scouting from the rank of Scout up to and including First Class various scouting skills are taught. These skills include first aid, CPR, swimming skills, camping skills, knot tying, cooking skills, hiking, and plant identification. These are basic skills but a scout won’t only use these learned skills while in scouting but will find himself using them at various times through his entire life. In scouting from Star Scout up to and including Eagle Scout and beyond a scout learns new skills through the merit badge program. In the merit badge program scouts learn required skills such as communications, how to be a better citizen in his community, nation, and the world, advanced camping skills, advanced swimming and lifesaving skills, personal management skills, and advanced first aid skills. Also through the merit badge program a scout can learn a hobby such as coin collecting, photography, small boat sailing or might decide on a career by taking engineering, dentistry, or law.
Troop 205 is very active in the community and has given back to the community. Examples of Troop 205’s community involvement can be seen by it’s participation as the color guard for the 2006 National Day of Prayer Ceremony, serving as the Color Guard for the playing of the National Anthem at a recent Pittsburgh Pirates home baseball game, through it’s participation in the Murrysville Community 9/11 Memorial Ceremony, through Troop 205’s participation in the annual Scouting for Food campaign, and can be seen by the various service projects that have been planned out and completed at local churches, local parks, local fire departments, and other areas in the community.
