Arlington Heights troop celebrates 75 years

Arlington Heights Boy Scout Troop 32 turned 75 Tuesday, a day after conducting the opening flag ceremony at the village board meeting and receiving a formal proclamation marking the occasion from the board.

The troop will celebrate from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 8, at First Presbyterian Church, Eastman and Dunton streets. About 100 alumni, Scout leaders, parents and officials are expected to attend.

It was in February 1942 that the East Park School Parent Teacher Association filed an application for the troop. Following interviews with the PTA, and after providing guidance regarding national rules and policies, the Northwest Suburban Council granted the charter on June 20, 1942.

Initially, the troop met Monday in the Field House of East Park with a membership of 25 boys. In 1946, the meeting place was changed to the First Presbyterian Church and, in 1955, the church's Men's Club agreed sponsor the troop.

To this day, the Men's Club is a loyal supporter of Troop 32 and the traditional values of the Boy Scouts of America.

The troop lists the following among its accomplishments:

• It has brought Scouting's ideals of character development, citizenship training, mental and physical fitness to more than 1,000 youth. Average membership over the troop's history is 41 Scouts and 25 adults per year. The troop currently has 44 registered Scouts and 36 registered adults.

• The troop's honor roll lists 109 Eagle Scouts. Each Eagle project, benefiting the community, averages more than 200 volunteer hours.

• More than 86 percent of its adult leaders are "Trained," the highest percentage in North Woods District.

• Since the "Journey To Excellence" standards were introduced in 2012, Troop 32 has achieved the "Gold" level annually.

• The troop plans and executes a minimum of six annual service projects for First Presbyterian Church and the community.

For more information on the troop or the anniversary event, contact Carl Laub at (847) 255-2892.