Boy Scout Troop 524, based out of Epiphany Catholic School in Coon Rapids, celebrated its 50th anniversary the
weekend of Aug. 22-24 with a host of activities at the Rum River Scout Camp in Ramsey.
The weekend began with a canoe trip down the Rum River on Friday afternoon, Aug. 22. That evening, they saw
birds of prey from the University of Minnesota Raptor Center.
On Saturday, Aug. 23, the Scouts got to do archery, paper rocket launching, tomahawk throwing and go up a rock
climbing wall. That evening, former members of Troop 524 came out to celebrate the anniversary. A Mass service
was followed by a turkey and pork dinner and a campfire program.
Bruce Stromgren, son of the late Marvin Stromgren, the first scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 524, started the campfire program by lighting the ceremonial “dragon fire” and then presenting the troop with a check from his father’s memorial. A new Troop 524 flag was then unveiled and the former flag was retired as a symbol of transition to a new era.
A new Venturing Crew 524 group was announced, which will offer Scouting programming for girls and boys ages 14 to 21. “We’re looking forward to sharing the excellent values Scouting has to offer with more youth members in the community than ever before,” said Kyle Palzer, communication coordinator with Troop 524.
The campfire ceremony concluded with a flag retirement ceremony and the unveiling of a new Eagle Scout trophy that features the names of all 108 Eagle Scouts of Troop 524 since 1964.
Coon Rapids Boy Scout troop celebrates 50th anniversary
Date: 09/05/14
by Kyle Palzer ABC Newspapers
Patrick Sullivan unveils a new trophy that will list the names of all Eagle Scouts in Coon Rapids-based Boy Scout Troop 524. There have been 108 since the troop formed in 1964.