Troop History

Troop 39 has a rich heritage of nearly 100 years of service to Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina, and our country. Founded in 1912, it is the oldest Boy Scout troop in North Carolina and one of the oldest in the nation. We will celebrate the troop’s centennial in 2011 and 2012 with many different activities. Keep up with the planning of these through our website, http://www.troop39nc.org/a-look-back/

Conservation has been a focus of Troop 39 since its inception. Inspired by SOAR (Save Our American Resources), an environmental program started by the Boy Scouts of America, a glass recycling project was initiated in 1970. Over the subsequent decades, the Troop built and maintained a recycling center and recycled over 20,000 tons of glass, 85,000 tons of paper, 10,000 tons of aluminum, and 33 tons of pallets! Our recycling
efforts continue today with delivery of mulch (recycled yard waste) from the county landfill. Troop 39 is also featured in Boys Life magazine for its contribution to the construction of the Mountain to Sea trail in North Carolina.

Troop 39 has helped mold the character of an estimated 1,500 youth since it was established nearly 100 years ago. In the past 50 years, over 200 members have been awarded the Eagle Scout award. Alumni have become leaders in their professions and in their communities. It’s a heritage of which we are proud, but we are confident that the best is yet to come!