Welcome to BSA Troop 187

Mayflower Church

Minneapolis, MN

Welcome to Troop 187's Scout Page.
On the left and right-hand side of your screen, you will find buttons
that will link you to many different pages.

Welcome to Troop 187

Troop 187 News

Next Meeting: 4/01/2008 at Richfield Middle School Next Campout: April 11 to April 13, 2008 at Camp St. Croix Spaghetti Dinner: April 16, 2008 Spring Camporee: May 2, 2008 - Sterns Camp Click here to see the obituary regarding Darrell Farnham and some great photos as well.

The Scouting Program at Troop 187

Troop 187's program centers on two main events. One is its Monday meetings, where Scouts enjoy outings that focus on fun events - sledding, football, and bowling for example; and Scoutcraft - first aid, pioneering projects, citizenship, and woodcraft.
The other is its two-week stay at Camp St. Croix, the troop's Scout camp located just south of Gransburg, Wisconsin -- right on the banks of the wild and scenic St. Croix River.

Troop 187 History

Mayflower Church and boy scouting go back a long way together. The church's second pastor, Rev. Silas A. Meckel, was the founding force for Troop 187, chartered on April 8, 1929 with 9 boys: Jack Clayton, Gilbert Cormickael, John Cross, Robert Hanisch, John Methven, Bill Thomson, Charlton Main, Kenneth Owen, and Jack von Rohr. It was Rev. Meckel's belief that a scout troop could produce future leaders for the church. Troop 187 is one of the few Twin Cities troops that have been in existence for 75 consecutive years.

Over its lifetime, the troop has produced more than 100 Eagle Scouts. The first Eagle was Darrell Farnham in 1933, who subsequently became a UCC minister serving at Mayflower as well as other churches. Eagle Scouts Robert Bergfalk and James Schafer also became UCC ministers along with Jack von Rohr a charter member of the troop.

The first Scoutmaster was Harry William Jones, a salesman for the Crane Co. The committeemen were Erle M.Sanderson, Silas A. Meckel, P.W. Ellis, C.J. Bard, George W. Main, and W.E. Peterson. Eagle Scout Rob Daves is the current Scoutmaster.

A Cub Scout pack was formed on April 28, 1941, again with the urging of Pastor Meckel. There were 30 boys listed on the original charter. The Cubmaster was Dr. E.L. Ludwig; the first committeemen were P.O. Robinson, Torg A. Knudsen and L.D. Hammond. Over the years a large majority of the top troop leaders and committeemen and women have been active members of Mayflower Church. The lists of those playing a leadership role with the troop reads like a "who's who" of prominent Mayflower members. The current Cubmaster is Mayflower Church member Jay Perry.

Camping is central to scouting so it was natural for the troop to seek out its own summer camping facility. In the 1930's and early 1940's, the troop camped on the Minnesota side of the St. Croix River near Rush City. On July 25, 1945, Prof. E.W. Johnson, Erle V. Tornstrom and S.A. Fisher inspected a proposed campsite across the river in Wisconsin. The site consisted of 120 acres of tax-defaulted land high above the St. Croix River, most of it wooded but with an open meadow. This campsite was purchased with troop funds raised by the boys from paper sales, "St. Croix Sharp Sand" (a sealed paper tube filled with sand for use on ice in the winter) and other projects. Camps in the 1940's, 50's and 60's benefited from the presence on the camp staff of Mayflower's youth ministers, including Raymond Giffen, R. Jack Takayanagi, and Barney Kathan. Two individuals who played a large role in Camp St. Croix history are Mac MacKinnon, and Paul Schoberg. Mac camped throughout the 40's, working hard to develop the camp and cooking for the boys. "Chief Many Moons", as Paul was known, attended camp for over 25 years, living in his teepee and providing love, guidance and nature knowledge for countless campers. For the past 55 years, scouts from Troop 187 have camped at Camp St. Croix. The present facility and program are little changed from that which developed in the 1940's and 50's. It is truly a wilderness camp; it has played a key role in the personal development and summer fun for hundreds of scouts. The troop, pack, and troop alumni currently use Camp St. Croix for a two week summer camp, winter campouts, and other scouting activities throughout the year.

In the 1950's Troop 187 reached its zenith in terms of active scouts and leaders. In 1955, for instance, there were 102 registered scouts and staff. The program functioned as a significant part of the youth ministry of Mayflower Church. Many youth stayed active in the troop through high school and college. Even today, many young men continue to be active in the troop in their late teens and early 20s.

The wealth of activities to which today’s boys have access puts pressure on Scouting membership. However, the troop continues to carry on a vigorous program of camping and other activities. It continues to hold the interest of older youth and to equip youth with essential leadership skills. A key leader during this time was John Keefe, who grew up in the troop and then served as Scoutmaster from 1973 to 1994, the longest tenure of any leader. Today there are more than 50 Scouts and leaders who are members of Troop 187.

The Alumni

More than 300 Troop 187 Alumni have banded together to provide support and leadership for the troop, as well as helping to fund camp scholarship, troop training and equipment needs, and improvements at Camp St. Croix. This group holds occasional reunions to maintain old scouting ties.

Jerold Bergfalk
Glen Paulsen

Mayflower Church
106 E Diamond Lake Road
Minneapolis, MN 55419
Ph: 612-824-0761
Design of Website by KledKorp