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A century of Scouting in 101
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MONROE - This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of Monroe Boy Scouts Troop 101.

To celebrate, the troop has invited former troop leaders and scouts to join them at the Kiwanis Youth Camp at 1 p.m. Sunday.

"We've invited anyone that has been involved with (Troop 101) over the past 100 years," said Bernie Robertson, a scout leader for 15 years and current assistant scout leader.

Robertson said he doesn't know the exact date of inception in 1917 but did note that the Monroe Kiwanis started its sponsorship of the troop in 1924.

The troop has seen its active numbers vary throughout the years, maxing out at 68 members in the early 1990s. Currently, the troop has 18 scouts.

"The numbers really vary year-to-year," Robertson said. "For some scouts, the outdoor element really appeals to them, but for others it does not."

Robertson said Troop 101 has members ranging from ages 12 to 17 and only a select few will become Eagle Scouts. The troop has had about 100 Eagle Scouts according to current troop leader Bert Leach.

"It's exciting to see how the youth is stepping into roles of leadership. Three just went to the National Youth Leadership Training," Leach said. "The older boys are really helping show the younger ones what to expect and how to lead."

Leach and his son are in their second year in Troop 101 after starting in Troop 114.

"There was some transition going on, and Bernie has stayed to help with the transition," said Leach, who was named Scoutmaster in May 2017 and was previously registered as an Assistant Scout Master starting in 2016.

Leach said some of his favorite memories of the scouts has been traveling to various camps and trips.

"We had a really great experience going to Kettle Moraine State Forest and Old World Wisconsin," Leach said.

Robertson, whose sons Luke and Logan have been involved in the past, has many fond memories of the troop.

"We went to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico," Robertson said. "It's a 10-day hiking expedition. It really puts the skills they've learned to the test."

The ranch is in northern New Mexico near Cimarron and has more than 140,000 acres within the Sangre de Crisco Mountains portion of the Rockies.

Saturday evening the active scouts will camp out at the Kiwanis Youth Camp prior to the big gathering on Sunday.

"It's really great this troop has been able to stay together and serve the community for 100 years," Leach said.