Troop 616 History

In July 1987, Troop 616 was chartered at the Calhoun United Methodist Church. Scoutmaster Kenney Townzen, Assistant Scoutmaster Lamar Jackson, Troop Committee Chairman Charles Brown, Committee: Joe Bryan, Lynn Freeman. The Troop organized with 7 boys: Michael Coppock, Brian Mantooth, Mark Jackson, Kenny Townzen II, Taylor Newman, Kelly McDowell. The Troop combined with Troop 315 Scoutmaster Pat Mahery to hold a week long summer camp at Gee Creek. Camping activities included, Tubing the Hiwassee River and at least 2 backpacking trips and Fall Creek Falls twice. Todd Newman joined the Troop after the Arrow of Light Ceremony in 1988. The summer of July 1988 the Troop combined with Athens Troop 315 and scouts from Troop 114 in Englewood to hold a summer camp at Camp Buck Toms. Merit Badges taught included: Swimming, Lifesaving, Rowing, Canoeing, Environmental Science, First Aid, Mammal Study, Fish and Wildlife, and Weather.     

In December 1988, Kenny Townzen resigned as Scoutmaster of Troop 616. Charles Brown signed on as Scoutmaster. In the spring of 1989 11 boys crossed over to the Troop from the pack. The troop went to the council summer camp at camp buck toms in June of 1989. At the end of July the Troop went on tour to the 1989 National Jamboree, Washington D.C., Baltimore Inner Harbor. Three adults went, Charles Brown, Lynn Freeman and Lamar Jackson. Boys attending (10): Kelly McDowell, Mark Jackson, Taylor Newman, Todd Newman, Eric Brown, Travis Freeman, Michael Coppock, Brian Mantooth, Jason Wright, and one other. Seven boys out of the ten that went on this trip advanced to Eagle.

1990 - Taylor Newman attended Philmont Scout Ranch.

1991 - Todd Newman attended Philmont Scout Ranch.

Eric Brown attended the Boy Scout World Jamboree in South Korea.

1993 - Charles Brown (as a leader), Eric Brown (as patrol leader)and Michael Coppock (as Troop Quartermaster) attended the 1993 National Jamboree.

1994 - Eric Brown attended Charles L. Summer Canoe Base in Canada.

Carl Dean Malone attended Philmont Scout Ranch.

2000 -  Matthew Watson attended Philmont Scout Ranch Cavalcade

2001 - The Troop went on a nine day long tour of Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA, and Gettysburg National Battlefield, PA and the National Jamboree.  The troop consisted of 14 scouts and six adult leaders.

2003 - Derek Barham Attended Philmont Scout Ranch   

2007 - June - Andy Hardy is the first scout from our troop to earn the BSA Lifeguard award at Summer Camp.

2008 - May - Andrew Seibert and Caleb Suits along with ASM Phil Seibert attended Florida SeaBase as part of a combined contingent with Troop 74 of Etowah

Because both organizations share a Chartered Organization and many leaders, the Troop and Pack 616 formed a new combined Unit Committee to direct and lead the activities of both groups.  David Dorman was appointed by the Chartered Organization to be the Committee Chair.

2009 February - for the first time in troop history, we won the coveted Klondike Mike trophy at the Unaka District Freezoree!

June - The troop attended summer camp at Camp Buck Toms with 14 youth, 3 adult leaders and one parent!

In July, the troop went on a camping/aquatics trip to Saint Mary's, Georgia and in August, we tubed the Deep Creek river in Bryson City, NC.

In July, Phil Seibert took over as Scoutmaster on an interim basis and Charles Brown became Assistant Scoutmaster.

2010 - This year has been a very good one for the Troop. We're continuing to "re-find" the patrol method of scouting with several outings under our belt. We're updating equipment and plan to continue to evolve into more of a Boy-Led Troop.

January - Our Troop earned The Centennial Quality Unit Award for 2009!

February - Our boys defended their title and retained control of the Klondike Mike trophy for another year by winning a majority of events at the annual Unaka District Freezoree!

April - The annual Webelos Crossover Ceremony is scheduled for April 17.  We will also host the Unaka District Crossover Ceremony at the same time.

June - The troop is planning to attend Camp Buck Toms with 17 youth and 3 adult leaders.

July - Scoutmaster Phil Seibert was selected to be the Scoutmaster for GSMC Troop 1831 to attend the 2010 Centennial National Jamboree.  He will be  accompanied by 5 scouts from Troop 616  - Andrew Seibert, Mark McFadden, D.J. Dorman, Caleb Young and Aaron Healey.

ScoutMaster - Charles Brown

Webmater - Phil Seibert