SCOUTING HISTORY 1930 ~ 1939

1931:
The Boy Scouts of America establishes the Silver Beaver Award to recognize distinguished service of adult Scouters in local councils. Robert E. Lasater; Robert C. Vaughn; Rev. Robert E. Gribbin, Sr. and Robert E. Grunert are the first recipients of the award in the Old Hickory Council - then known as the Winston-Salem Council.

1931:
Photo of Eagle Scout R. Emmet Gribbin, Jr. of Winston-Salem, NC. [Photo courtesy of R. Emmet Gribbin, Jr. of Newport, Alabama]

[Click photo for an enlargement]

1931:
The Council Executive Board establishes an Inter-Racial Committee to extend Scouting to the African-American community in Winston-Salem. Rev. Robert E. Gribbin of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is named chairman of the committee and begins to organize training sessions for potential leaders of African-American troops.

1932:
The effects of the national economic crisis known as the Great Depression begin to affect the budgets of families, troops, communities, and Boy Scout councils.

1935:
A review of Scouting in the Winston-Salem Council is published in the fiftieth anniversary edition of the Twin City Sentinel. The Council has 43 troops, 776 Scouts, and 287adult leaders.

1936:
Cub Scout Pack 10 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church is organized as the first Cub Pack in Winston-Salem.

1937:
A Boy Scout Troop organizes at Appalachian State Teachers' College - now Appalachian State University - in Boone.1938: Wahissa Lodge #118, Order of the Arrow, is installed at Camp Lasater. Charter members take their "Ordeals" before summer camp opens; new members are tapped and complete their "Ordeals" during the summer.

1938:
The annual "Scouters Party" is held at Camp Lasater on June 27. This event is held for Scout leaders and their wives or sweethearts in appreciation for their dedicated work.

May 21, 1939: "Troop 9 of the Home Moravian Church held its weekly meeting on the square. To open the meeting we played 'Buck the Bull' up on the square...Horace Vance presented Charles Young with his tenderfoot badge, registration card, and scout insignia. Charles then led us in the scout oath and laws. Bill Barbour led us in some songs, and Charlie Morris sang his favorite song, 'Ivan Scavinscky Scavare.' Horace Vance made some important announcements, and we adjourned to our patrol comers. Quartermaster Jimmy Hauser then gave each patrol their new equipment for the camporee. They consisted of a cooking set, first aid kit, wash basin, and buckets. Then everyone made a scramble for the pup tents, stakes and poles. There were some stakes missing, but we managed to find enough..."

Winston-Salem Journal, p.16

May 28, 1939: "....The scoutmaster [of Troop 5 in Waughtown] then talked to us about going to Camp Lasater, after which a first-aid demonstration was given. After the demonstration, real first aid was given to a boy's arm and to other scratches on other people. After lifting people off the floor, if the patient wasn't hurt I would pity him. Somebody would turn loose and down we would go...."

Winston-Salem Journal, p.36