BSA TROOP 7 HISTORY 1934-2009

Last update – 2-5-2010

Troop 7, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Council 898, was chartered on February 8^th, 1934 in the Kickapoo Area Council, Vicksburg, Mississippi with Mr. C. W. Bud Tacke serving as Scoutmaster. Approximately 2 years later the Kickapoo Area Council dissolved and the troop joined the Andrew Jackson Council in Jackson, Mississippi and has been registered with them since that time.

There were 10 charter members in Troop 7. They included Scoutmaster “Bud” Tacke, Charles Bell, Ernest Breithaupt, Andrew Bucci, Donnie Bucci, Joseph Canizaro, Charles Finane, Herman Gary, William Hatchette, and George Katzenmeyer.

Several months later, after recruiting several more scouts, the troop took its first organized hike in the Vicksburg National Military Park.

Mr. Bud Tacke served as Scoutmaster for 50 years retiring in 1984. Johnny MO Nassour, after serving as his Assistant for 22 years, accepted the job as Scoutmaster, and served for 16 years before stepping down in February of 2000 with Greg Evans accepting the position as the 3rd. and current Scoutmaster.

(75 years of scouting and only 3 Scoutmasters!!!)

Troop 7 has been blessed with many adult leaders over the past 75 years. The registration records only indicated approximately 47 Assistant Scoutmasters and 100 plus Committeemen. However, there were many more involved that helped in Boards of Review, camping trips, and other troop activities that were not shown on the troop registration forms. These leaders and committeemen have given their time and energy in promoting the spirit of scouting. Without their help, the troop could not have been as successful as it is today.

Over 25 Hundred scouts and 98 Eagles.

The Troop is still very active today and averages over 20 nights of camping per year. Records indicate that the troop has not missed a night of camping at least once a month for over 70 years. The troop takes one long-term camp each year and plans at least one high adventure trip each year. Some of the high adventure trips included attending the Philmont Scout Reservation, canoeing on the Buffalo River in Arkansas, the Current River in Missouri, the Namekagon and Saint Croix Rivers in Wisconsin, backpacking in the Smokey Mountains and the Pecos Wilderness, and snow skiing in New Mexico and other areas. The troop has also visited Mammoth Cave in Kentucky and hiked the Vicksburg National Military Park many, many, many times as well as hiked the Shiloh Military Park in Tennessee and the trails on the Gulf Coast. The troop also attended the Worlds Fair when it was in New Orleans.