Our troop is a well-rounded group of Scouts with a strong cadre of adult Leaders and a supportive Committee.
​Committee Chairman and Secretary
Ralf Weiser, Committee Member

Treasurer
Stacy Barno, Committee Member

Trip and Activity Chair
Adam Sledzianowski, Committee Member

Advancement Chair
Dale Weiser, Committee Member

​Community Outreach, YPT, ACT153, and Buy-A-Board Coordinator
Chuck Coxson, Committee Member (Retired Committee Chair)

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​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 was  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.

  • 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:
               Communications
               Personal Management
               Railroading

Mr. Jim Sipprell, Scoutmaster

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Jim Sipprell has been with T117 since 2016 and has been very active in the Troop as Committee Member in 2018, as Assistant Scoutmaster from 2019 until February 2023. His two sons have been integral part of the Troop. One completed his Eagle Journey in 2021. He accepted the role as Scoutmaster in February of 2023. 









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​Mr. Mike Cossaboon, Assistant Scoutmaster

​Mr. Chad Strayer, Assistant Scoutmaster

Mr. Stephan Smith, Assistant Scoutmaster

David Payne, Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop Leadership

Daniel Tracey,  Senior Patrol Leader

Jack Witkowski,  Assistant Senior Patrol Leader

Warriors Patrol
Gavin Smith,  Patrol Leader
Open, Assistant Patrol Leader

Chiefs Patrol
John Shainline,  Patrol Leader
Conner Sipprell, Assistant Patrol Leader

Open,  Scribe 

Open,  O.A. Rep