As they approach their 100th year, Scout Troop 175 is taking a pause. Jim Fredrick, active in the Troop since the 1995 said, “Some day there will be some parents and young men and women who revive 175 again.”
Over the past several months, the Scouts have been participating in some of their favorite activities, including a Campout at Oil Creek State Park in Oil City, Pennsylvania in November. The Troop has been hiking and camping at Oil City since the 1980s.
A Whirley Ball outing in January will be this iteration of the Troop’s last event – and they are planning a Centennial Reunion for Sunday, July 5, 2026 at Ottowa Point Picnic area in Brecksville Reservation. If you are a former Troop member, please contact the church to share your contact information with Scoutmaster Steve Churchin and Troop Chairman Dave James.
Pancake Breakfast at Brecksville United Methodist Church – Scout Sunday 2025
Boy Scouts of America was founded 114 years ago in Texas, and just a little more than a decade later, Troop 175 was chartered in Brecksville – at what is now the United Church of Christ. The troop went on to meet at Village Hall, Brecksville School and at the home of Scout Master Bill Klein. In 1942, our church became the troop’s sponsor and they have met here ever since. They have been part of our church for 83 years!
While character development and camping have always been foundations of the program, much has changed in the world in 100 years. Do you know that in the mid-sixties, Brecksville had enough natural land that the scouts would often walk to their weekend camping trips? In the mid 70’s the troop numbered more than 80 members.* In 2025, in an effort to become more inclusive, the national organization, Boy Scouts of America, became Scouting America.
Through it all, Troop 175 was there. But dwindling membership and involvement means the Troop is not able to continue its mission at this time. As Troop 175 takes a pause we honor their long legacy, lift a prayer of thanks for their leaders, and recognize their many positive contributions to our church and community.
We share the traditional Scout benediction “May the Great Scoutmaster of all Scouts be with us until we meet again.” Amen!
*Find more Troop 175 History in The Church by Chippewa Creek by Bill Long.