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This history was written several years ago, by
David Brigham, our "First Scout". He passed away in the fall of 1999.
Throughout his life, Mr. Brigham was a steadfast supporter of Scouting. In addition, he served
his community in countless other ways. He led his life a way that truly embodied the
Scout Spirit. He left as a legacy to us the outstanding example he set for how
to be a good Scout and a good citizen. Troop 264 holds its annual fall primitive
camp out on his property in an area we fondly call "Mr. Brigham’s Woods."
"Troop 264 had its start from a summer 4-H State Camp near
Blacksburg, Virginia. Ernest Thompson Seton, the greatest of nature writers
including Wild Animals I Have Known, was a special invited guest. His
role was to tell Indian stories and experiences at the campfires. He brought his
friend Dan Beard, who had set the stage for the Boy Scout movement in the United
States. My Dad, Reuben Brigham, was the U.S. Director of Information for the
Agricultural Extension Service and had arranged for Thompson to participate.
This was the early summer of 1927.
"The inspiration of visits with these two youth and nature leaders during the
idle daytime hours resulted in long talks about the Scouting program and all it
provided young men age twelve and above. As a result, Brigham returned to his
American Legion Post in Sandy Spring and asked his fellow veterans of World War
I to help him set up a Troop for this community. They agreed, providing he would
be Scoutmaster. The Washington Council sent professionals to assist from their
very small staff. By fall, a Troop with 12 to 15 boys was in place. Dad was
Scoutmaster, I was a Tenderfoot Acting Patrol Leader, and the Troop with a Sandy
Spring address was #130.
"There were Montgomery County Camporees, summer journeys to Camp Roosevelt on
the Chesapeake Bay, fourteen mile hikes, fifty yard swims upstream in the
Patuxent, wet wood and only two matches, first aid, cold nights, wet bodies,
tests, games, and pledges (which I still remember). We sang Clemantine and went
on Snipe hunts, climbed hills and slid down banks, wore shorts most the year and
britches once in a while.
"The troop lost the original number when several years of inactivity occurred.
Charlie Hines served first as Assistant Scoutmaster. John Bancroft later served
for several years. Original Scouts who come quickly to mind include Tom
Hallowell, Francis Brigham, Fairman and Billy Fussell and Malcolm Thomas. Dick
and Johnny Thomas had had other Scouting experience and for a period acted as
Senior Scouts and advisors for us.
"Norman Price Post #68 of the American Legion has been the sponsor of a Boy
Scout Troop for nearly sixty years and during most of that period the present
Troop 264 is in the record. It is a matter of mutual satisfaction when man and
boy, Scout and Scouter, organization and organization, can work together for God
and Country in a community of rich heritage and strong faith."
More Troop History
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