History

Boy Scout Troop 312
Walla Walla, WA 99362

OUT OF DATE

	I would like to tell you something about the history of the Scout Troop 312. It is the oldest troop in Walla Walla having been chartered by the Boy Scouts of America in January 1933 as Troop 12. At the time of its beginning most of the main churches in Walla Walla also sponsored Scout Troops.
	Troop 12 began with about a dozen boys as members. Most of the boys were from our Sunday school. Other boys from the community were welcome and soon joined the troop as well. Alfred Hall, an Eagle Scout, who had been a Scout in Troop 10 at Pioneer Methodist Church, was the first Scoutmaster of the Troop. Over the years the boy membership fluctuated, reaching about 45 boys at one point, and currently we have about 20 registered boys.
	Activities with plenty of adventure keep the Troop active, hiking and camping have been important both now and in past years. The Blue Mountains and the Wallowas have been areas that were and still are popular with the Troop. Scouts of the Troop have climbed Eagle Cap, the 5th highest peak in the Wallowas on several occasions and have also hiked down into Hells Canyon, a very difficult hike. While there, as the scouts were setting-up camp in a flat below, a wild mountain goat stood on a pinnacle above watching them at work. The Troop has also hiked a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail through Rainier National Park. The Troop has camped on the beach near Florence, Oregon and dug clams on the beach near Sequim, Washington. They visited the state capitol in Olympia and explored the Craters of the Moon in Idaho. In Central Oregon they explored several lava caves and camped in the mouth of one of the largest caves, where one of the boys discovered a perfect Indian arrow head in the sand as we packed up to leave.
	In the 70+ years of the Troops history, advancement in Scout ranks has not been neglected. Many boys have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. The Troop is proud of the record of former boys over the years. Several have become ministers. Some have become doctors, others have entered the military. One of those that joined the Navy, now fly one of the Navy's biggest helicopters and a while back was stationed in the Antarctic flying supplies and equipment for scientist stationed there.
	Troop 312, the current designation of the troop has completed over 70 years of continuous service, and we look forward to have many more years ahead. The troop has had a number of men serving as Scoutmasters over that time. The first was Alfred Hall, who left to further his education, he was followed by Dewey Crimmins, and then by Charles Mason, Keith Collins, John Lewis, Greg Fry and then again by John Lewis, who served for a total of 40 years. More recently we have had David Buttice, John Archer, Don Gibbard, and currently Julianne Hoppen.