Caribou Boy Scout Troop 184 has seen many adventures over 50 years

CARIBOU, Maine — Caribou Boy Scout Troop 184 celebrates its 50th year in existence this month. Over the years, the troop has seen countless dedicated young men work their way from Cub Scout to Boy Scout with some moving on to the distinguished honor of becoming an Eagle Scout.
According to Troop 184 Scoutmaster Vaughn Keaton, 53 names are listed on the Honor Roll of Eagles, and three more Scouts will earn the Eagle rank on Sunday, Sept. 8.
Keaton has been a part of Troop 184 for its entire 50 years. His father, Rogis, was the troop’s scoutmaster from 1963 until 1968. Keaton earned his own Eagle Scout award in 1965 and took over the role of scoutmaster in 1973, a position he still holds today.
Many fond Scouting memories have collected over the years for Keaton. He is most proud of the number of boys he and his troop leaders have helped achieve Eagle Scout rank. He has far too many stories to tell about Winterama competitions, Scout National and World Jamborees, hikes, camping, community service and other miscellaneous adventures in Scouting that have transpired over the years.
“We have done and seen so much,” Keaton said.
Loring Winterama competitions were trips in which Boy Scout troops from all over The County spent two winter nights outside at Loring Air Force Base. The troops competed for the coveted Sheridan trophy each year by building their own shelter and running the Klondike race. Other factors such as how many Scouts represented each troop were also taken into consideration to determine a winner.
Troop 184 won the competition five times, including the last time it was held in 1993. The troop retained possession of the trophy and it sits on display at the Caribou Scout Hall.
Boy Scout National Jamborees are held every four years in Fort AP Hill, Va. Troop 184 attended their first jamboree in 1985 and returned in 1989, 1993 and 2010. The troop also attended the World Jamboree held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 1983.
“It took five days to get there, we were there for two days, and it took us five days to get back,” Keaton said about the World Jamboree trip.
He also remembered a National Jamboree where it seemed Troop 184 was multiplying.
“In order to keep track of the boys, we would do a head count every hour or so by counting patches that had 184 on them,” Keaton recalled. “At one point one of my leaders completed a count and tells me there’s a problem.  I was worried that someone was missing, but it turned out the leader actually counted two more 184’s than we had brought with us.”
Investigation into the matter revealed that a troop from New Jersey, also numbered 184, was sitting next to the Caribou troop.
“Out of 150,000 Boy Scouts in one place, what are the chances that two troops with the exact same number would sit side by side?” Keaton laughed.
Whether it’s activities to earn badges or help out the community, Keaton’s collection of photos from over the years are full of happy faces proud of their achievements. And Keaton, himself, revels in the joy and fulfillment   being a scoutmaster has brought him for so many years.
“It’s a huge part of my life,” Keaton commented.
Troop 184 will celebrate its 50th anniversary this Saturday, Aug. 24, with a reception and Eagle Scout reunion. The troop meets Monday evenings from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Caribou Scout Hall on Aldrich Drive. For more information on Scouting, Keaton can be reached at 492-3770.