The History of Troop 747
Our Troop's Story
Troop 747 has a rich history of adventure, community, and growth. Our journey began in 2008 at Thompson's Station Baptist Church. Since 2022, we have proudly called Covenant Presbyterian Church in Brentwood, TN our home, serving as an active hub for families in the Brentwood and surrounding Middle Tennessee areas.
From our very beginning, we've held a unique place in our local council. While our Scouts attend a wide variety of local schools, our troop has been a welcoming community for a large number of homeschool families since day one. Because of our tight-knit culture and active program, families travel from all over the area to be a part of Troop 747—even passing by other, closer options just to call this unit home.
Troop 747 at a Glance
- → Size: A focused, active troop of about 30 Scouts.
- → Meetings: Every Monday of the month from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM (excluding holidays).
- → Our Patrols: The Fire Ants, the Night Monkeys, and We Be Cookin'.
- → Active Ranks: We are proud of our rank diversity, boasting active representation in every single Scout rank from Scout to Life.
A Legacy of Outdoor Adventure
We pride ourselves on being a highly active, outdoor-focused troop. In addition to our regular weekly meetings, we head out on at least one major adventure every single month. Our calendar is packed with variety, including:
- Canoe trips and hiking treks
- Car-camping and deep-woods backpacking
- Merit badge advancement weekends
- Meaningful community service projects
Our Local Scouting Heritage
Our troop's history is part of a larger, incredibly resilient legacy of Scouting in Tennessee. When Owen Ludvik researched our roots for his Scouting Heritage merit badge, he uncovered how deep those roots truly run.
The Spark of Tennessee Scouting
Just months after the Boy Scouts of America was officially founded nationally, Tennessee's very first unit—Troop 1 in Brentwood—was established.
First Council Charter & Boxwell's Beginnings
Early scouting was highly scattered until the Nashville Council was officially chartered in 1920. Just a year later, in 1921, Leslie G. Boxwell founded the very first Boxwell Summer Camp.
The Great Depression & Council Consolidation
The Great Depression hit families and Scout units hard. Many struggled to afford uniforms or travel, forcing smaller local councils into bankruptcy. To preserve Scouting in the region, the Nashville Council absorbed these smaller units, renamed itself the Nashville Area Council, and relocated Boxwell Camp to the Narrows of the Harpeth to accommodate the changes.
The Birth of the Middle Tennessee Council
As the region grew following World War II, the Nashville Area Council absorbed the Davy Crockett Council, officially creating the Middle Tennessee Council we know today.
A Permanent Home on Old Hickory Lake
After a temporary post-WWII move to the Caney Fork River near Rock Island, Boxwell finally found its permanent home. In 1957, the United States Congress granted the council the deeds to 528 acres of land along Old Hickory Lake—where generations of Scouts, including Troop 747, still camp and learn today.
This history was compiled and presented by Scout Owen Ludvik as part of the requirements for the Scouting Heritage Merit Badge.