Boy Scout and Cub Scout
History in Shakopee, Minnesota
In 1924, the organization was activated on an
independent basis which was permitted at the time. John J. Jocobi, a teacher and coach at
Shakopee Senior High School, was the first Scoutmaster until about 1930.
Read what the Shakopee Newspaper said about Boy Scouts on Friday, January 15, 1926.
(Click on Thumbnail Images to get Enlarged View).
1928 Charter of Institution from Boy Scouts
of America
In 1927, a log cabin was donated by a hunting club to the then the Troop 26 Boy Scouts. The cabin was later expanded. The
cabin located in Huber Park along the Minnesota River was often under water during spring
floods. The 1965 flood completely destroyed the cabin. There are many fond memories of
this special but musty place.
In 1930, Troop 26 was in the South Central
Minnesota Council, Faribault. The school sponsored the Troop. S.W. Sweeney was
Committee Chairman of the Troop and Supt. of the School. E.P. Hoskins was
Scoutmaster.
In 1931, a citizen's committee was formed to sponsor the
Boy Scout movement called the Citizens Committee. E.J. Huber joined Frank Strunk as
leaders in the Troop. F.R. Strunk served as Scoutmaster and Committee Member until
about 1950. E.J. Huber was associated with the Troop until his death in 1963.
In 1932, the Commercial and Civic Club took over the
sponsorship of the local troop. They sponsored the Troop until 1943. Don
Childs was Chairman.
In 1934, J.H. Curren became the Scoutmaster.
1939 Financial Statement
In 1941, Maurice Gorman bacame the Scoutmaster.
In 1942, J.C. Huber became the Scoutmaster
In 1943, J.J. Maloney became the Scoutmaster
In 1944, E.G. Leibold became Scoutmaster. Also in
1944, the American Legion took over the sponsorship of the Troop. The American
Legion is still the sponsor of Boy Scout Troop 218, today.
Edwin G. Leibold Scoutmaster Training Certificate
In 1945, W.H. Sanford became Scoutmaster.
In 1948, J.B. Kline became Scoutmaster.
In 1949, J.A. Whelen became Scoutmaster.
In 1951, Wallace, Wally Kopisca became
Troop Scoutmaster. He was a scout in Shakopee during the mid-1940's and the third
Eagle Scout from the Troop. Wally has been the Scoutmaster from 1951 to present for
a total of over 54 years of outstanding service.
In September 1952, the Cub Scouts were organized, Pack
#218. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsored the group. The first Cubmaster was Bob
Nietters who served for three years. There were six dens the first year. The first den
mothers were Ruth Nieters, Mickey Huber, Beth Pearson, Bernice Mottinger, Myrtle Moratzka,
and Emily Ferguson. Stan Paul was the Pack Chair and J.C. Huber was the treasurer. There
were 6 to 8 boy in a den. The following year they grew to eight dens. There are
currently over 130 boys in Pack #218 making up 14 dens.
In June 1965, after the Boy Scout Cabin in Huber Park was
destroyed by Spring 1965 flood, The Troop acquired use of the Farm buildings on the former
State of Minnesota Reformatory farm. Jerry Regan, a local druggist, was instrumental
in getting the Scouts into the barn. The new location was officially know as the Boy
Scout Stockade, more commonly referred to as the Barn. The main floor was converted into the
Garrison room where the patrols and troop had their meetings. Also on the main
level, there was a conference/counseling room, staff area and an Indian craft store.
The upstairs was used as an activities area with a TV area, pool table, ping pong table,
Tipi, Knot Demonstration area, amateur Radio, Historic Displays and equipment storage. See Pictures of the Stockade.
In February 1993, Troop 12, the second Boy
Scout Troop was formed in Shakopee. Sean Bestler the Cubmaster of Pack #218 from the prior
3 years was the first Scoutmaster of Troop #12. In February 1997, Bret Purrington
moved up to the position of Scoutmaster after being an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop
#12. In April 1998, Norm Stevens became Scoutmaster of Troop #12.
In 1998, after several expansions of the Womens
Correctional Institution (Prison), Troop #218 was required to move from the beloved
Stockade in September 1998.See
Last Meeting Pictures In October 1998, the Stockade was razed (burned) to make
way for yet another prison expansion. See Pictures of the Razing.
Troop #218 now meets at the Jackson Township Hall.
During 1999, Troop #218 celebrated its 75th
year Anniversary. In 1999. Steve Thomas also became Scoutmaster, sharing the
scoutmaster position with Wally Kopisca. The troop began annual treks to Okpik and
an annual adventure trip (Pipestone, North Shore, Osh Gosh, and Black Hills) in addition to its Many Point camp-out
and Spring and Fall Camporees.
On May 13th, 2000, Boy Scout Troop #218 lost lifelong
friend and leader, Louis Robert Guerre. Louis as active in scouting for 65 years and
was an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop #218 from 1958-2000. The troop participated in Okpik
and had a North Shore Adventure Trip in addition to its Many Point camp-out.
At the troop annual banquet on February 11, 2001, Wally
Kopisca was recognized for 50 years of outstanding service as Scoutmaster (1951-2001) of
Troop #218. The troop participated in Okpik and the Musher Camp as well as the annual Many
Point Camp. Also during the year, Pack #218 spin-off two additional packs, #916 and #915.
In 2002, Troop #12 disbanded with its remaining members
joining Troop #218. The Troop Adventure Trip was to EAA's Airventure in Osh
Gosh. Eagle Scout Ben Banwart was named The National Society of the Sons
of the American Revolution Eagle Scout, Arthur M. & Bordena King Scholarship
(1st Place National winner).
In 2003, Troop #619 was form and Troop #218
began a coordinated Shakopee Boy Scout Troops Wreath Sales with Troop
#619. The Troop Adventure Trip was to the North Shore.
