Building Leaders And Men Of Honor Since 1964
Boy Scout Troop 232 has a rich history in the Chastain Park neighborhood, having nurtured and mentored hundreds of boys and young men since Troop 232 was chartered in 1964, at Northwest Presbyterian Church by John W. Miller. When Miller's sons were Scouts in another Troop and their chartering church would not allow boys of other faiths to join, Miller opted to start a new Troop to keep the boys together. Northwest Presbyterian Church agreed to charter the new Troop and continues to welcome boys (and volunteer adult leaders) of all faiths and backgrounds. Today, the John W. Miller Scout Center at Northwest Presbyterian Church is named in his honor, and Miller's son Sam Miller (a Chastain Park resident since 1978) serves as the Troop's Scoutmaster.
"We are grateful to Northwest Presbyterian Church for chartering our Troop back in 1964 and for their continued support all these years later," states Scoutmaster Sam Miller.
Troop 232 represents most of the public and private schools in the North Atlanta area and 15 each of Scoutmasters and Committee Representatives. As a "boy-led" Troop, the more senior boys provide youth leadership and mentoring to younger Scouts along with appropriate adult supervision from Boy Scouts of America (BSA) trained volunteers.
An important focus of Boy Scouting is rank advancement with progress toward the Eagle Scout rank, and each Scout is encouraged to learn and grow his leadership skills. To strengthen leadership, Troop 232 Scouts may also attend BSA's National Youth Leadership Training, a program that builds confidence and leadership skills in a challenging, fun environment. Since 1964, over 260 of Troop 232 Scouts have achieved the Eagle Scout rank. Many of the Troop's Eagle Scout projects have directly benefitted the Chastain Park neighborhood, including several for the Chastain Horse Park, Chastain Park Conservancy, and Northwest Presbyterian Church.
The Troop holds weekly meetings during the school year from August through May in addition to monthly camping and hiking activities. Summers include a week of BSA summer camp and a variety of BSA High Adventure Bases to choose from for more advanced and specialized camping and programming. Compared to other Troops, Troop 232 offers a wealth of challenging and gratifying high-adventure programming. Camping and hiking activities include the Troop's annual Nantahala River whitewater rafting trip, and various other themes that rotate over a four-year period like mountain biking venues, canoeing, ziplining, caving, skeet shooting, Appalachian Trail and other nearby trail backpacking events, plus two night campouts over MLK weekend (annual rotations of canoeing trips in FL, and visits to Naval Bases, Okefenokee Swamp and Cumberland Island).
"Scouting draws boys outside, away from the distractions of electronics and social media, and provides a controlled environment for them to develop leadership and critical thinking skills," adds Miller. "It puts them in situations where they are forced to learn to deal with the hand they are given, when things don't always turn out right."
Scouting adventure heats up in the summer when Troop 232 Scouts attend a week of traditional Boy Scout summer camp at Skymont Scout Reservation near Altamont, Tennessee. Here, they earn a number of required and elective merit badges to help achieve higher Scout advancement ranks as well as participate in camp games and activities. The Troop also sponsors an annual trip for older, more experienced Scouts to BSA High Adventure Bases. Among these are: 1) Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, 2) Northern Tier in the Boundary Waters of the Great Northwoods of Minnesota and the Crown Lands of Ontario and Quetico Park of Manitoba, 3) Sea Base in the Florida Keys / U.S. Virgin Islands / Bahamas, and 4) The Summit Bechtel Reserve in the mountains of West Virginia's New River Gorge region.
To join Boy Scouting, a boy does not have to be (or have been) in Cub Scouts. He must be 11 years old, or one who has completed the fifth grade or earned the Cub Scout Arrow of Light Award and is at least 10 years old, but is not yet 18 years old. Complete a Boy Scout Youth Application and the BSA Annual Health & Medical Record Forms (Parts A, B & C) signed by your parent or guardian, and by your physician. Pay your Troop 232 annual membership dues (if joining after December campout, pay only 50%).
For younger boys and girls interested in Scouting, please explore Cub Scout Pack 232, also sponsored by Northwest Presbyterian Church. Pack 232 also welcomes youth (and volunteer adult leaders) from all backgrounds and faiths. For more info or to join, please contact the Pack’s Cubmaster, Keith Hasson, at cubmaster@pack232atl.com.
Troop 232 has planned an exciting schedule of activities for this year and invites all eligible boys to join in the fun and adventure. The Troop meets on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. (August through May) at the John W. Miller Scout Center at Northwest Presbyterian Church, 4300 Northside Drive, NW, Atlanta, GA 30327.
If you are interested in joining Troop 232 (Scout and/or volunteer adult), need more info, or just want a tour and to experience one of our meetings, please contact our Membership Officer, Kevin Nuffer, at membership@troop232atl.com, or our Troop Committee Chairman, Jim Caldwell, at committeechair@troop232atl.com. They will be happy to set up a Monday meeting appointment.
