History
Troop 1 Greenville was founded as Troop 1 Greystone in 1928. Since it began, the troop has enjoyed a prestigious and noteworthy history.
From the beginning, the theme of outdoors and camping has been stressed. As a member of the tri-town district of the Rhode Island Boy Scouts, which included Greystone, Greenville, Georgiaville, and Centerdale our troop participated in various jamborees, campouts, and district functions.
In 1932 the troop began our annual weeklong campout at Yawgoog Scout Reservation – a tradition which continues today. In 1933, the troop was chartered with the Graniteville Baptist Church in Johnston and joined the Narragansett Council of the Boy Scouts of America as Troop 1 Graniteville. Wilfred Anderton was the troops first Scoutmaster.
Arthur Jackson took over as Scoutmaster in 1953, serving in that role for twelve years. During the 1950’s Troop 1 Graniteville grew to become a focal point of the community and was known as one of the best troops in the area. The troop continued to be very active with trips, campouts, and won many awards in various scout functions. This included a presentation by Congressman John Fogarty of the state flag which had flown over the Capital in Washington DC. Nearly every boy in the community became a member of the troop. During this period the troop had over 65 members requiring two separate meetings each week.
Troop 1 was challenged towards the end of the 1960s and was challenged with two major obstacles which nearly shuttered the troop. First, high turnover rates with Scoutmasters between 1965 to 1969 caused instability in the troop. Second, the Vietnam conflict caused a loss in patriotism that resulted in a sharp drop in scouting that was felt nationwide. Troop 1 Graniteville was not sheltered from this moment in time. Troop membership dropped to 6 scouts and this small group found itself again without a Scoutmaster. In 1969, the then troop committee considered disbanding the troop after an upcoming Eagle Court of Honor.
However, fate interceded and Mr. John Grandige volunteered to be the troop’s Scoutmaster and nearly immediately breathed new life into the faltering troop. Under his leadership the troop began a building process which started with only a half dozen boys but soon resulted in a membership of nearly 40 strong with a greatly improved program, much of which has formed the basis of the troop today.
Even in this challenging time, Troop 1 continued its contributions to scouting. In 1970 the from the Graniteville Baptist Church was donated to the Narragansett Council on behalf of Troop 1 for use as an emergency bell at Buck Hill scout Reservation. A plaque on the tower reads: DONATED 1970 BY TROOP 1 GRANITEVILLE IN MEMORY OF OUR DECEASED SCOUTS AND SCOUTERS. This bell remains at Buck Hill to this day.
During 1982, the troop changed its name to Troop 1 Greenville. Under new leadership into the 1980’s, two very popular activities arose. First was an annual week-long campout on Block Island each August; the second is our bi-annual trip to Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. In the fall of 1986, Sam Ciotola replaced Mr. Hoard as Scoutmaster. “Mr. C” brought us renewed enthusiasm in every aspect of scouting. Monthly troop campouts combined with our annual week at Yawgoog has become a fond tradition. Under Mr. C’s leadership our troop grew to over 80 active scouts with more than 20 adult leaders. During this time, troop fundraisers include a fall ham and bean supper and a springtime meatball and macaroni dinner. These fundraisers were all hands-on deck events and would fill Greenville Baptist Church’s Fellowship Hall with hundreds of friends and family.
In 1990 the Adler Brothers Construction Company donated a parcel of land situated on top of a hill in Glocester for use as the Troop’s home campsite. The proximity of the parcel, located just off Putnam Pike in Chepachet provided the troop with a nearby and always available campsite. Named “Camp Adler,” this tract of land allowed individual patrol campsites that eventually led to a teepee that slept 12 and a small cabin. Unfortunately, Camp Adler always had a foreseeable end since the property was always intended to be sold for development. However, for about 10 years, the spot provided unique adventures for Troop 1 Greenville’s scouts that will never be forgotten. Also never to be forgotten are our Scouts and Scouters who have been part of the Troop 1 family over the years. Though there are so many over the many years, we honor and remember them all. At Yawgoog Scout Reservation, the flagpole at Weemat Campsite at Medicine Bow is dedicated to Eagle Jeremy Vandall and Lorenzo DeSimone.
In 2006 Dan Benedetti assumed the post of Scoutmaster continuing the enthusiasm and traditions for which Troop 1 is known. Under the guidance, dedication, and hard work of our Scoutmaster, adult leaders, and Troop Committee, Troop 1 Greenville has become known as one of the more dominant Boy Scout Troops in Southern New England. Among the proudest achievements of the troop is the attainment of Scouting’s highest award by over 150 Scouts, the rank of Eagle Scout and the number continues to grow.
Time marches on – and so does Troop 1 Greenville. With a rich history and a promising future this troop continues to provide the adventure of a lifetime before a life time of adventures.
Scoutmasters of Troop 1 Greenville
Unknown – 1928 – 1933
Wilfred Anderton – 1933 – 1953
Arthur Jackson – 1953 – 1965
Annual Turnover – 1965 – 1969
John Grandidge – 1969 – 1980
Joseph Hoard – 1980 – 1986
Sam Ciotola – 1986 – 2006
Dan Benedetti – 2006 – 2013
Bruce Iannuccillo – 2013 – 2017
Tony Isble – 2017 – 2024
Matthew Lynn – 2024 – Present