Boy Scout Troop 1717 History

The history of Troop 1717 started back in 1947, when Edith Ling became a Den Mother and Paul Ling, Sr. became Cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 3960 in Noridge, IL.  Paul Ling, Jr's love for scouting was established then as a young scout, continuing inoTroop 960 also in Noridge when Armand Randall and Henry Koushin were Scoutmasters.

After that, Paul Ling was out of scouting for several years until he had a son, Paul III, and joined Troop 17 in Allison Park, PA.  Paul Ling was the Assistant Scoutmaster and was taught by Dick Peterson, Ted Lorch and Chuck Randolph the exciting ways of doing scouting in a wilderness environment and forming the original “Ahhhh Wilderness.”

Troop 17 continued, and Paul Ling became Scoutmaster there for eight years.  Paul III and Mike Ling both became Eagles.

Troop 1717 started when Paul Ling, Byron Steele and Joe Cerniglia decided to start a Troop with Paul Ling as Scoutmaster.  This was done at Cross of Life Lutheran Church in Roswell, GA with Pastor Don Reider as Charter Pastor.

Troop 1717 started in the fall of 1992, and the first campout was along the shores of Foe Killer Creek on the Cross of Life property.  The first campout dinner was Four-Hoof Armenian Goat Stew and in attendance was Jared , who later went on to become one of our first Eagles and later attended the Naval Academy.

SAMPLING OF TROOP AWARDS

250 nights camped

Camporee Honor Unit – 2007

1st place in Catapult accuracy – Spring Camporee – 2007

2nd place in Catapult distance – Spring Camporee – 2007

President’s Award – 2003

Mountaineer Troop – 1998

Best Overall Troop – Skymont Summer Camp – 2006

25 Eagles

CONSISTENTLY an Honor Troop

Centenary of Scouting Unit Award

CURRENT STATUS

Troop 1717 is a vigorous outdoor program wilderness Troop. But also emphasizing advancement with Eagles.  Troop 1717 continues to be a strong Troop with Dan Jackson as Scoutmaster, Alan Marx as Committee Chairman, Paul Ling as Outdoor Chairman, Michelle Apple as Indoor Chairman and Tammy Waggoner as Database Manager.  In 2005 a crew unit, Crew 1717 also formed with Jonathan Jew, Dan Temple, Michelle Apple and Steven Wright as leaders.

Troop 1717 was formed to build strong Scouting values and provide a fantastic experience for scouts in the great outdoor wilderness environment of Georgia.  It has met that challenge.  The troop currently alternates summer camps between in-council and out-of-council camps.

SERVICE RECORD

Doug Waggoner has served as MOALS staff the fall of 2007.  Geoffrey Wright, Charlie Winter and Evan Mangan also served as MOALS staff 2005.  Troop 1717 is currently very involved with North Fulton Charities and The Drake House.  Michelle Apple has taught Wood Badge and Scouter’s Academy. Tammy Waggoner taught at this falls FBLA merit badge clinic.  Steve Farris developed Life-to-Eagle preparation class for Troop 1717 and Troop 69.  Paul Ling received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for Lifetime Achievement, which requires 4,000 community service hours.

MEMORABLE YOUTH

Jared, one of Troop 1717’s first Eagles, has just completed Navy Seal Training.

Bobby Temple, also a friend of Jared, who also became an Eagle, has gone on to complete an education at Georgia State and is now a Captain in the United States Army, having served most recently for a year and a half in Iraq.

Parker Williams became a Life Scout at age 12 and is now working on his Eagle.

Koko and Popo Chit are refugees from Burma that the Church and Troop have adopted and supported in their scouting careers and are advancing quickly.

RECENT ACTIVITIES

Troop 1717 supports Cross of Life Lutheran Church annually by volunteering at the annual church dinner called the “Chili Cookoff.”  Troop 1717 has recently developed a very close relationship thru Brendan Starr with the Drake House.  The Drake House is a place where struggling women and children can go to get back on their feet.  We support them by volunteering at the annual “Ice Cream Crank” Fundraiser, which the troop has done for the last 2 years.  The Troop also helped with their open house.