Frankfort Boy Scouts Collection

Scoutmaster Emeritus Roger Elmer Burgess established the first Boy Scout Troop in Herkimer County, New York, in 1910 when he started Frankfort Boy Scout Troop 1. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop 1 for fifty years. The Frankfort Boy Scouts have focused on community outreach and Scout character development. Troop 1’s goal has been to mold young men into capable leaders and citizens through experience. In 2010, they celebrated 100 years of activity during which they produced confident, knowledgeable Scouts who are able to contribute to the larger community. Camp Russell served as a common campsite retreat for Troop 1 before the camp’s closure in 2015. Troop 1 has also taken many trips to historically significant locations, such as Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Plymouth, Massachusetts, Saratoga and Niagara, New York. Such visits instilled a sense of American patriotism within the Scouts that has promoted civic values of the nation. Troop 1 has received various awards and acknowledgements throughout its long history including a citation from the New York State Assembly and several Council Commissioner’s Awards. Today, Troop 1 still functions as a part of the Leatherstocking Council of Central New York, which is a consolidation of two previous councils (Revolutionary Trails Council #400 and Otschodela Council #393) in the area. The Troop still serves the community by establishing values within youth through hard work and moral guidance.