Troop 361 History Project
Celebrating 60 Years of Scouting at Holy Spirit!
Please visit the changelog to see the latest updates!
We're turning 60 in 2026!
Troop 361 was formed in 1966. Since then, we've hiked, camped, and paddled our way to countless memories. To celebrate our “Diamond Anniversary”, we're kicking off a troop history project AND we're planning a big reunion in May 2026!
We're writing a book!
As our troop celebrates 60 years of Scouting at Holy Spirit, we are creating a commemorative history built from the memories of the people who lived it. Our goal is to create a printed book and an online memory archive so we can share these memories with each other, with the parish, and with future generations of Scouts!
We have lots of lists – lists of Scoutmasters, lists of Eagle Scouts, lists of summer camps, lists of meeting dates, and lists of lists! – but that’s not the story of our troop. The stories come from the memories and the experiences of those who were there. That’s where you come in!
We need your help!
We want to include as many voices as possible in this project. If you were a Scout, leader, parent, or friend of the troop at any point in its history, we are inviting you to share your story!
We are collecting personal essays (up to 1 page, or ~350 words) that reflect on a favorite memory, story, or moment connected to the troop. First-person (“I”) writing is encouraged. This does not need to be formal or polished. Honest, personal stories are exactly what we’re hoping for.
Good topics include:
- Your favorite campout, summer camp, or high-adventure trek
- A moment when things went wrong — and what you learned
- Someone in the troop who influenced you
- A small moment that captures what the troop meant to you
- A lesson about leadership, service, or faith that stayed with you
You don’t need to summarize your tenure or list accomplishments. We’re especially interested in stories, moments, and reflections. These are the things that don’t show up in rosters or awards lists.
We need your photos, papers, and more!
If you have any of the following, we would love to hear from you:
- Photos
- Old newsletters, programs, or documents
- Dates, lists, or corrections to historical information
- Names or stories you think should be included
You’re welcome to submit materials even if you don’t write an essay. We can also help scan or digitize almost anything, so we can add your memories to our digital archives while you keep the physical items!
What happens next?
- Selected submissions will appear in the printed anniversary book
- All submitted stories may be included in the online troop history archive
- Minor edits may be made for clarity, length, or consistency
- Authors will be credited by name unless otherwise requested
- Due to space limits, not every submission can appear in print — but every story helps preserve the troop’s history.
Submission Details
- Deadline: April 1, 2026 (so we can have them printed for the May 30th reunion!)
- Submit via: Email them to chris@dimwell.net or history@hstroop361.com
If you’re unsure whether your story fits, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re happy to help.
Thank you for helping tell the living history of our troop!