Our troop is a well-rounded group of Scouts with a strong
cadre of adult Leaders and a supportive Committee.
Mr. Chuck Coxson, Committee Chairman
I began my career with Boy Scouts of America in 1982 as an Assistant Webelos Leader with Cub Pack 16, Coatesville, PA. We had seven boys in our Den. Our son Brian was my motivator for becoming a Boy-Scout leader. In 1983, Brian and I joined BSA Troop 117, Coatesville, PA. I became a member of the Troop Committee and in 1984, became Committee Chairman. As Committee Chairman, I am responsible for ensuring there are sufficient funds available to support the troop program. We have several fund-raisers each year. Some of the fund-raisers provide money for the troop’s general fund while others are for the scouts to earn money for their own troop accounts. My staff of volunteers is responsible for the troop’s relationship with our charter organization, The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. The staff is also responsible for maintaining the troop financial records and Scout-advancement records. The Troop Committee selects and approves any new Scoutmaster for the troop.
During my tenure with Troop 117, hundreds of scouts have been members of our troop. Many of these young men have married and now have their own families, but still keep in touch. Several of our scouts have gone on to serve our country in the military. Two of our scouts are Naval Aviators (one in the Navy and the other in the Marines), two have served in the Air Force, one other has served in the Marines and another is an officer in the Army. I am very proud of all of them.
I enjoy being a counselor for the Railroading merit badge at the Railroad Museum of PA. Troops make arrangements to fulfill the requirements for the badge at the museum. In December, I play Santa Claus for the visitors two Saturdays at the museum. In the summer, I work with the campers during the Barons and Builders Railroad two-week day camp. Since 2012 I have been a member of the board of directors for the Friends of the Railroad Museum. In 2011, my wife Eileen and I were named Volunteers of the Year for the Railroad Museum of PA.
My career as Santa keeps me busy in December. Over the years, I have played Santa at various places, including events for Troop 117. In December 2013, I visited homes in my neighborhood as Santa for the 40th year. It is something I look forward to each year!
For the past 10 years I have been “Chef Chucky” cooking the hot dogs for the Run for Scouting/Fitness Fest. To date, I have cooked over 5000 hot dogs. I also assist at the Dick Vermeil Invitational Golf Tournament. At this event, I am “Hoagie Man” during the day and in the evening I help with the silent auction. For the past several years, I have been a member of the Council Camping Committee. I live in Thorndale, PA with my wife Eileen. We have three grown children: Brian an Eagle Scout, Christen, and Karen, and four grandchildren.
Highlights of my career.
Personal Management
Railroading
During my tenure with Troop 117, hundreds of scouts have been members of our troop. Many of these young men have married and now have their own families, but still keep in touch. Several of our scouts have gone on to serve our country in the military. Two of our scouts are Naval Aviators (one in the Navy and the other in the Marines), two have served in the Air Force, one other has served in the Marines and another is an officer in the Army. I am very proud of all of them.
I enjoy being a counselor for the Railroading merit badge at the Railroad Museum of PA. Troops make arrangements to fulfill the requirements for the badge at the museum. In December, I play Santa Claus for the visitors two Saturdays at the museum. In the summer, I work with the campers during the Barons and Builders Railroad two-week day camp. Since 2012 I have been a member of the board of directors for the Friends of the Railroad Museum. In 2011, my wife Eileen and I were named Volunteers of the Year for the Railroad Museum of PA.
My career as Santa keeps me busy in December. Over the years, I have played Santa at various places, including events for Troop 117. In December 2013, I visited homes in my neighborhood as Santa for the 40th year. It is something I look forward to each year!
For the past 10 years I have been “Chef Chucky” cooking the hot dogs for the Run for Scouting/Fitness Fest. To date, I have cooked over 5000 hot dogs. I also assist at the Dick Vermeil Invitational Golf Tournament. At this event, I am “Hoagie Man” during the day and in the evening I help with the silent auction. For the past several years, I have been a member of the Council Camping Committee. I live in Thorndale, PA with my wife Eileen. We have three grown children: Brian an Eagle Scout, Christen, and Karen, and four grandchildren.
Highlights of my career.
- 1989, Staff member at the BSA National Jamboree in Virginia
- 1994, High Adventure sailing trip to Sea Base in the Bahamas
- 1997, Staff member for Boy’s Life at the BSA National Jamboree
- 1986-Present, assisted 48 Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.
- 2002, Chesapeake High Adventure Sailing Experience trip leader.
- 2003, Chesapeake High Adventure Sailing Experience trip leader.
- 2004, trip leader for High Adventure sailing trip from Annapolis.
- 2005, Staff member for Boy’s Life at the BSA National Jamboree
- 2006, trip leader for High Adventure sailing trip from Annapolis.
- 2009, Chesapeake High Adventure Sailing Experience trip leader.
- 2010, Staff member for Boy’s Life at the BSA National Jamboree
- 2011, Chesapeake High Adventure Sailing Experience trip leader.
- 2014 Silver Beaver Award from Chester County Council
- Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow.
- Volunteer Commissioner for summer camp each year since 2001 at Camp Horseshoe; responsible for daily camp site inspections.
- Merit Badge Counselor for the following Merit Badges:
Personal Management
Railroading
Mr. Kevin Thompson, Scoutmaster
I started my Cub Scouting in 1963, became a Webelo, then joined the Boy Scout Troop 72 in Pomeroy PA. While in the
troop I was elected into the Order of the Arrow and achieved the rank of Brotherhood, I also earned the God and Country religious award when I was 15. I became an Eagle Scout in 1974 at the age of 17. In 1972 I went to the
High Adventure Philmont Scout Ranch.
Then a few years went by and I got married to my lovely wife Fay and we had three kids; Kathryn, Joseph, and
Nicholas. When my son Joseph became of age he asked me if he could join Cub Scouts and I was really excited to get back into Scouting. Both of my boys went to pack 133 for their Cub Scout years.
When it was time for my oldest to join a troop he chose Troop 117 because he thought it was the right fit for him because of the excellent leadership and the fun they had. Once he started I also started to get involved more with the troop. First I was on the Committee as the recruiter. Then they started to ask if I could help with the equipment and help my younger son to be the Quarter Master.
Then one day the Committee Chairman asked me if I wanted to become the Scoutmaster and I gratefully accepted and has been the Scoutmaster since 2012 and loved every last minute of sharing the scouts' experiences while watching them achieve great heights.
I am proud of my boys, Joe Thompson has earned his Eagle and is now an adult leader within the troop. My other son Nick is with the troop currently and is a patrol leader.
troop I was elected into the Order of the Arrow and achieved the rank of Brotherhood, I also earned the God and Country religious award when I was 15. I became an Eagle Scout in 1974 at the age of 17. In 1972 I went to the
High Adventure Philmont Scout Ranch.
Then a few years went by and I got married to my lovely wife Fay and we had three kids; Kathryn, Joseph, and
Nicholas. When my son Joseph became of age he asked me if he could join Cub Scouts and I was really excited to get back into Scouting. Both of my boys went to pack 133 for their Cub Scout years.
When it was time for my oldest to join a troop he chose Troop 117 because he thought it was the right fit for him because of the excellent leadership and the fun they had. Once he started I also started to get involved more with the troop. First I was on the Committee as the recruiter. Then they started to ask if I could help with the equipment and help my younger son to be the Quarter Master.
Then one day the Committee Chairman asked me if I wanted to become the Scoutmaster and I gratefully accepted and has been the Scoutmaster since 2012 and loved every last minute of sharing the scouts' experiences while watching them achieve great heights.
I am proud of my boys, Joe Thompson has earned his Eagle and is now an adult leader within the troop. My other son Nick is with the troop currently and is a patrol leader.
Max Weiser, Senior Patrol Leader Hello, my name is Max Weiser, and I am the SPL of Troop 117. I am 14 and an Eagle Scout. I have earned over 30 merit badges, and have earned Brotherhood Membership in the Order of the Arrow. I have been part of the troop for 4 years and enjoyed every second of it.
I love when we go into the woods for a weekend and can experience what nature is really like. My favorite trip was Camp Karoodihna because I got to explore a new camp that I have never been to before, and I got to do it with my friends. I also do plenty of High Adventure as well. I went to Florida Sea Base in 2016, and I will be attending the National Jamboree in 2017.
Lastly, I will be traveling to Philmont Scout Ranch in 2018. While Scouts takes up a lot of my time, I also take part in other activities at school. I am a homeroom representative in High School Student Council, and I am in the varsity team for the Avon Grove Charter School Cross Country Team. We have a lot planned for the troop this year, and I am excited! I can't wait to see what we are doing in the future!
I love when we go into the woods for a weekend and can experience what nature is really like. My favorite trip was Camp Karoodihna because I got to explore a new camp that I have never been to before, and I got to do it with my friends. I also do plenty of High Adventure as well. I went to Florida Sea Base in 2016, and I will be attending the National Jamboree in 2017.
Lastly, I will be traveling to Philmont Scout Ranch in 2018. While Scouts takes up a lot of my time, I also take part in other activities at school. I am a homeroom representative in High School Student Council, and I am in the varsity team for the Avon Grove Charter School Cross Country Team. We have a lot planned for the troop this year, and I am excited! I can't wait to see what we are doing in the future!
