Canfield youth celebrate 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts

Boy Scout Troop 25 from Canfield United Methodist Church will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America on Scout Sunday at Canfield United Methodist Church, 27 S. Broad St. in Canfield during both services.

The members of the troop will serve a pancake breakfast to all who attend from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. A donation is encouraged.

The Boy Scouts of America began Feb. 8, 1910 by American businessman W.D. Boyce.

The Boy Scouts began in Canfield in 1914 with the establishment of Troop 1 at Canfield United Methodist Church and lasted until approximately 1920 with one Eagle Scout, Robert Manchester.

In 1926, the troop was re-established at CUMC when the new minister of the church, Rev. Herbert A. Cassidy, came from Ashtabula County and served as first Scoutmaster of Troop 25.

In July 1927, Rev. Cassidy’s son, Robert Cassidy, became Troop 25’s first Eagle Scout. Notable area adults who were the mainstay behind the troop’s success were James B. Jones and Herman West, both former postmasters of Canfield with Herman himself an Eagle Scout (1931) of the troop.

Still assisting the troop today is Troop 25 Eagle Scout (1940) John Wolboldt, who has served the troop since 1954 as an adult leader, and now is Scoutmaster Emeritus of the troop.

In 84 years, Troop 25 has served thousands of boys and their families of the Canfield and surrounding areas and have had more than 160 young men earn scouting’s highest rank, Eagle Scout.

Troop 25 meets every Wednesday in the basement of Canfield United Methodist Church at 27 S. Broad St. in Canfield.

For information, contact Scoutmaster Kevin Prus, Sr. (Troop 25 Eagle Scout 1972) at 330-533-5616 or visit www.canfieldtroop25.org.