History of the Boy Scout Movement in Rockford

In the year 1910 Baden Powell, an Englishman conceived the idea that there was room in the world for an organization for the training of boys, to get them started on the right track for better citizenship. While undoubtedly, people at that time subscribed to the theory of the old adage "as the twig is bent, so the tree inclines" still no one seemed to have just the right vision of boyhood and its problems, until Sir Baden Powell awakened to the idea of organizing the boys into a great fraternity and guiding their efforts along proper channels. Previous to this time boys were looked upon as a necessary evil, a sort of a general nuisance and the world waited impatiently for them to blossom into manhood so that they might amount to something by settling down to some worthwhile pursuit. At this time Rockford was the home of a certain outstanding boy the son of Thomas and Georgia Lamb, who lived just one mile south of the village limits. The boy however was a student in the Rockford school, and spent his spare time about the town. He inherited from his mother a decided talent for executive ability and the knack of organization, so that early in life he became a leader amongst the boys of his community. He was an unusually conscientious chap and the frequent escapades of the village youth preyed on his mind. In his reading he learned of the movement started by Sir Baden Powell and it so impressed him that he determined to start a branch of this great boy's order in Rockford, so in the same year just a short time after the inception of the movement in England, Merritt U. Lamb started the first Boy Scout Troop in Rockford and the second one in the state of Michigan. Under his leadership it flourished for several years and doubtlessly planted the seeds for the subsequent success of the organization here. Merritt U. Lamb was a very exceptional young man, with a vision. He put his heart and soul into the new organization he had started and his efforts are to this day still bearing fruit in the ideals and character of the boys in his troop. There were thirty-two boys in the original troop. When his employment in a distant city caused him to relinquish the leadership of the troop the work was taken over by his assistant Scoutmaster, F. Benjamin Squires, and upon his departure to Grand Rapids where duty called him, by Horace Bowers, who, though an older man, also saw the need for such an organization in Rockford. Following Horace Bower's administration H. D. Van Antwerp became Scoutmaster. He was a very busy man, the editor of The Register, but he found time to devote a few hours to the youth of the community. When Mr. Van Antwerp was elected to the state legislature, the destinies of the troop were placed in the hands of Bert Sedgman who "carried on" until George Myers succeeded him. Mr. Myers held the position as Scoutmaster for two years, when Lewis Clark became so enthused with the work that he took it over. By this time the movement had taken a firm root in the community. Lewis Clark moved away from Rockford, and his place was taken by Dr. J. F. Peppler, who was always interested in boys, and who had just returned from World War service and? was establishing his practice here. Stress of duties caused him to relinquish the duties of Scoutmaster after the first year and Lyle Van Antwerp a son of the former Scoutmaster, and a much younger man took them over. He held the job for only a short time when Homer Burch took the reins of the troop in hands. Homer really did wonders for the troop. He established it in an orderly system with records that met the requirements of the Scout Headquarters and the Grand River Council of Scout Troops of which they were now a member. Following his administration, John R. Lamb assumed command, but ill health soon caused him to stop, and there followed several leaders chosen from the teachers at the high school, who each held the job during their contract with the school board. Finally Charles Harris, the Coach at the school in the year 1922 became interested, and took over the helm. The Troop Committees by this time came to realize the importance of their job and The Brotherhood took on the sponsorship of the troop. Rev. Paul was a very active member of the Committee and devoted many hours to the work. Mr. Harris, with the faithful assistance of "Bob" Strom has continued as Scoutmaster ever since and has one of the finest troops in Michigan. After twenty-nine years of continuous existence the Rockford Troop is going stronger and better than ever and bears an enviable reputation in Scouting circles throughout the state. It is an asset to the city of which the entire community can well be proud. They are now housed in the beautiful rustic Community Cabin. which they share with the Camp Fire Girls, and where they meet every week. They have a beautiful camp ground on the bank of the Rogue River in Algoma Township about four miles from the city. They take part in all Scout activities of the Grand River Council, and are looked upon by other troops as a model troop to pattern after. They have a subsidiary organization of Cub Scouts, youngsters below the age of twelve, who aspire to become real scouts as soon as they reach the required age. There is also a troop of Sea Scouts, boys who have graduate from the ranks of the ordinary Scouts and are taking, special maritime training. The Rockford troop has produced a number of Eagle, Life, and Star Scouts, and the present Scoutmaster, Charles Harris has been presented with the badge of The Silver Beaver, for his outstanding work with the troop. Rockford always has a prominent place at the Scout Appreciation Banquet.