Troop 6 Cranston consistently receives honors on the district, council and national level and has celebrated over eighty years of Scouting. Below is but a brief summary of our history over the years. If you are interested in joining us in making more history in the 21st century, then clink on the "Joining Our Troop" link to the left and start the adventure.
Baden-Powell was...
When Boy Scouts first came to the United States...
It all started in 1923, with a few select boys that met in the Saint David’s Parish at 1951 Cranston Street. As these boys started to influence their communities, more and more men and boys around the country became interested in scouting. Growing from almost nothing in 1910, The Boy Scouts of America grew to an astounding 361 thousand boys and 32 thousand scoutmasters by 1919.
Troop 6’s first Scoutmaster was the Reverend Alfred C. Larned. The first patrol leaders in the Troop were led by William Connell and Henry Quimby. That first year the Troop had 15 members. One of the most likable and most experienced Scouts in those early years was Antonio “Jock” Maggiacomo.
In 1923, Jock’s family moved to Cranston from Warren. He was a Yawgoog veteran and had been a boy scout since he had lived in Warren. By 1930, the Troop had grown to the point where they needed a larger meeting place. They began meeting at the Meshanticut Community Center and Firehouse.
1933 was also a big year for Troop Six. The Troop’s first Scout to earn Eagle was in that year. His name was William Cumerford. The Troop continued to grow through the 1930’s. During the war years in the 1940’s, the Troop helped in the war effort by passing out war related literature and posters. After the war, and into the 1950’s the Troop continued to grow and attended many camping trips including Camp Yawgoog and Champlin, which was called Skeleton Valley in those days.
Through the 1960’s the Troop saw 11 new Eagle Scouts. Yawgoog was still a big part of the Troop’s activities. In those days the Troop stayed in Baden Powell camp in Sandy Beach. By the 1970’s Troop Six saw its membership drop. There were no adult leaders available to lead the Troop, and at that time, the Troop almost ceased to exist. But in 1972, a new scoutmaster, Ed Rainone, came along and led the Troop back to health. By the late 1970’s the Troop was thriving again and many Scouts again reached the rank of Eagle.
In 1977, the Troop left the Meshanticut Community Center meeting hall they had met in since 1930 and returned to Saint David’s. During the 1980’s Scoutmaster’s of Troop Six included Michael Deluca, James Vartanian and Owen McDermott.
In 1992, Frank Ferraro became Scoutmaster of Troop Six. Mr. Ferraro was Scoutmaster for 12 years, longer than any Troop Six Scoutmaster before him. During Mr. Ferraro’s years, the Troop grew rapidly and many boys reached the rank of Eagle (40 in all). It was during this time that the phrase “The Best by Far” came about. In 2004, Jim Robinson took over as Troop Six’s new Scoutmaster. Under Mr. Robinson’s leadership, many more scouts have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. The Troop continues to thrive to this day with nearly 90 scouts and many adult leaders. In 2006, Troop Six is still “The Best by Far”!
More to come... This page currently awaits further content.