Boy Scouts of America Troop 701 Brevard, NC

About Troop 701 Scouting Links Calendar of events Trip Planning Scrapbook History Troop Handbook Advancement

In the year 1907, Lord (then General) Robert S. Baden-Powell, conducted an experimental boys' camp on Brownsea Island off the English coast, out of which grew his plan for a boys' program which he outlined in his book, "Scouting for Boys".  The book was the basis of the British Boy Scouts' Association, which he founded.  In 1920, Lord Baden-Powell was made Chief Scout of the World.

One foggy day in London in 1909, an American visitor, William D. Boyce, was having a difficult time finding an address.  A boy approached him and asked, "May I be of some service to you, sir?".  Mr. Boyce told the boy where he wanted to go and the young man saluted him, said, "Come with me, sir", and led him to the desired address.  Mr. Boyce reached into his pocket and offered the boy a shilling, to which the boy promptly replied, "No, sir, I am a Scout.  Scouts do not accept tips for courtesies".

Mr. Boyce was surprised, and asked the young man to tell him about Scouts.  He did, and also showed Mr. Boyce to the local office of Lord Baden-Powell.

On February 8, 1910, William Boyce, a Chicago publisher, and other men formally incorporated the Boy Scouts of America.  The organization was chartered by the Congress of the United States June 15, 1916.

The "Good Turn" by an English Scout in 1909 brought Scouting to the United States and to millions of our young men.

Our troop's history began in May, 1916, with the founding of Troop 1, the first Boy Scout organization in Transylvania County.

Our first Scoutmaster was the Reverend John R. Hay, pastor of both the Brevard Presbyterian Church and the Davidson River Presbyterian Church.  Both churches later merged to form the present Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church.  Rev. Hay remained as pastor until 1925.

Troop 1 was later re-designated Troop 701 by the Daniel Boone Council, which was established in 1920.  Troop 701 is the oldest troop in the Council, and one of the longest-chartered troops in the United States.  May, 2000, will mark the beginning of our eighty-fifth year of service to our community and to our country.

-C. Don Alley
Asst. Scoutmaster
October 21, 1999

Our First Scoutmaster

The Reverend John R. Hay was pastor of both the Brevard and the Davidson River Presbyterian Churches.  The two churches later merged to form the Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church, presently located on East Main Street. Rev. Hay remained pastor of the church until 1925.

Recent Scoutmasters (listed in order from most recent) Please help- if you know any former Troop 701 Scoutmasters, please email us with the information, especially names and dates.

John Dorner- October 2004 - present Clyde Carter - Jan 2001 - Sept 2004 Dan Bennett - 1996 - 2000 Don Alley Fred McKinney Larry Brown Bill Hill Mike Williams 1990 Danny Stewart 1983 - 1990 (or '91) Bill Moody 1981 - 1983 David Micheal Henderson 1978-1981 Mr. Gene Parker 1973 J.W. Arden 1969 Robert T. Gash 1968, 1969 Robert L. Daniels, Sr.

Subject: Troop701.org
Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2001
From: Bob Gash <rgash@citcom.net>

Hi - I have just had my first look at the website. Wonderful. I naturally turned to HISTORY for this was my troop as a scout and as scoutmaster. Both sons became Eagles in 701. They are Robert Edward Gash and William Emory Gash, known as Ed and Emory. Ed was Chief of Tsali Lodge and on staff at Daniel Boone.

Other Eagles from my scoutmaster time who quickly come to mind are are Bill Buck, James P. Deavor, Robert L. "Robin" Daniels Jr, Robert Melton, and Jimmy Hill.

The earliest Eagles that I know of were Fred, Jack and Henry Miller, sons of a Scoutmaster. Fred and Jack were both killed in WWII. I remember passing off Tenderfoot requirements to Henry when I joined the troop.

Robert L. Daniels, Sr. was the scoutmaster just before me, and recruited me as assistant and then retired a year or so later so that was when I became
scoutmaster. Best wishes to you and old #1.

--Bob Gash

Subject: Eagle
Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2001
From: Mike Bohan msbohan@home.com

I received my Eagle Award as a member of Troop 701 on 12/31/73. The Scoutmaster at that time was Mr. Gene Parker, a local surveyor (I think he still operates his business on Hiway 280 at Turkey Pen between Brevard and Mills River). Mr. Parker was the Scoutmaster after J. W. "Bill" Arden left the Troop. I'm not sure when Mr. Parker left the Troop.

I went to Philmont Scout Ranch in the summer of 1972 with the following Scouts from Troop 701: Russell Folger, Ed Fanning, James "Jimmy" P. Deavor, Ken Massengill, Dean Davis, Bobby Toole, Mr. James Furr (Adult Leader) I'm not sure when Mr. Parker left the Troop.

I live and work in Asheville and am now active with my two sons in Cub/Boy Scouts. It was great to find your website. Thanks!

Mike Bohan

From: Marius H. Wells, Jr. ap-ar@great-eastern-sun.com
Subject: 701 Scoutmasters

Date: April 11, 2001

A scout master that is not listed is David Micheal Henderson, he was the scout master from 1978 until 1980/81. And before that was Chuck, and I cannot remember his last name, but he worked at DuPont and recieved his order of the arrow at some point during his tenure.

While David Henderson was Scout master, there was Bill Smith as assistant, and Bill Parris was also an assistant.

I was in the troop and left due to school, it was either band, or scouts. And I was with the troop when we moved from First Methodist to St Timothys, where it is now.

Marius Wells