Troop History
Troop 201 - Eagle Scout Honor Roll
Troop 201 - Scoutmasters
Troop Motto
It Ain't Done Yet!
The troop motto referring to scouts tasks, duties, and rank advancements, especially the rank of Eagle. A scout in troop 201 works to complete his tasks, duties, and rank advancement to the best of his ability until they are done. He works hard to complete these tasks and duties because his “brother” scouts are counting on him. He does not want to let down his “Band of Brothers”.
This phrase was adopted in the early days when Jack Smart was scoutmaster. He would tell the boys that "there is no such word as ain't". It got to be such a joke that the boys would use this slang term so often it was adopted.
Lee Watkins troop committee chair first coined the phrase.
There are several meanings behind this phrase. Many times Jack would see boys standing around, or things would be half done, tents not put away, plates not "de-floatized," etc.. Hence "it" was not done yet. A deeper meaning of "It ain't done yet" also referred to boys who would not work on advancement that would get them to Eagle. If they had not earned the rank of Eagle "It Ain't Done Yet!"
Troop Slogan
Let That Be Your Guide!
The troop slogan referring to a scouts priorities and goals. A scout in troop 201 understands his priorities and goals and actively works to attain those goals. He does not let distractions get in the way. He removes roadblocks to attaining these priorities and goals. He sets goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time Bound.
The slogan was adopted during Jack Smarts tenure. He would ask a scout about anything, but generally it was about whatever next step or goals was needed for a rank advancement. The scout would answer his question about this next step and Jack would respond, "Let that be your guide."
Troop 201 T-shirts
Troop 201 Shirt 1 - 19?? - 2004 This shirt was one of the first modern "Class B" shirts worn by the troop. The design was copied from the logo on the old troop trailer. There was no printing on the back of this shirt. The screen printing was done by Mike and Jason Bauer.
Troop 201 Shirt 2 - 19?? This shirt was a limited circulation. Few of these shirts were made. The design was slightly updated and refined. However, the troop snake kept the classic snake design. This shirt was the only troop shirt that was green. One of the coolest things about this shirt was that the printing glowed in the dark! You could tell troop 201 scouts in the dark. There was no printing on the back of this shirt. This shirt was also printed by Mike and Jason Bauer.
Troop 201 Shirt 3 - 19?? This troop shirt is the only white shirt to be made.
Troop 201 Shirt 4 - 2000 This shirt was the only Polo shirt. It was designed for the troop's 85th Anniversary. This shirt was designed by Russ Timmons.
Troop 201 Shirt 5 - 2004 - 2009 This shirt went back to the traditional yellow shirt. This shirt was introduced in 2004. However, this shirt sported the new troop snake logo. The shirt design was a mixture of the new logo along with an 85th Anniversary design. The circle and text was taken from the 85th Anniversary patch designed by Russ Timmons.
Troop 201 Shirt 6 - 2009 - 2021 This shirt continued the tradition of a yellow t-shirt with brown printing. This shirt started being worn by scouts in 2009. This shirt was a totally new design. The shirt design was conceived by Shauna Clark, sister of the current troop scoutmaster Kevin Jenkins. This was the first shirt to have printing on the front and back. The snake on the back was designed to look 3 dimensional. When up close to the shirt design it actually does appear 3D. The design depicts the year the troop was established.
Troop 201 Shirt 7 - 2015 Commemorating the troop's 100th anniversary. This shirt concept was drafted by Kelly Jennings, Son of the Assistant Scoutmaster Leah Jennings. The final design was completed by Shauna Clark the sister of the scoutmaster Kevin Jenkins.
Troop 201 Shirt 8 - 2021 - Present. This shirt was again designed by Shauna Clark sister of Kevin Jenkins. This was one of 3 designs presented to the boys. They chose an 1980's retro feel.
Troop 201 - Scarfs (Neckerchiefs)
Troop 201 Neckerchief - 1940's - 19??
Troop 201 Neckerchief - Classic - 19?? (before 1980) - 2004. This neckerchief was worn by all ranks. The neckerchief was made from pale yellow and brown cotton. The design was a loop stitch. This loop stitch if snagged could come un-raveled.
Troop 201 Scout Neckerchief - 2005 - 2008. This neckerchief is worn by all those scouts from scout to second class. These neckerchiefs were purchased directly from the scout office. Scouts began wearing these neckerchiefs in 2005.
Troop 201 Scout Neckerchief - 2008 - Present. This scarf is the current scarf worn by those boys just joining the troop until they reach the rank of First Class. There is no troop number or mascot. The troop began this in ?? The cost was just as much as purchasing the plain scarfs from the Council office. Additionally the Boy Scouts stopped making the yellow scarfs.
Troop 201 First Class Neckerchief - 2005 - Present. The troop made a policy change in 2005. When a scout earned First Class they would be presented with this neckerchief. This signify' s the scout achievement of earning First Class. This neckerchief sports the troop's new mascot logo. The scarf was designed by Wayne Timmons, Troop 201 Eagle - 1972. This neckerchief is brown and canary yellow. The color was picked to match the troop's trailer purchased in 2004. The stitching was changed to an embroider of the troop mascot.
Troop 201 Eagle Scout Neckerchief 1963 - Worn by Charles Jenkins, Troop 201 Eagle Scout #65, Scoutmaster Troop 201 1981 - 1984. This scarf is actually a square. It is folded in half to make the classic triangle.
Troop 201 Eagle Neckerchief - Classic - 19?? (before 1980) - 2006. Worn by Kevin Jenkins Troop 201 Eagle Scout #118, Scoutmaster Troop 201 2005 - Present. This neckerchief was a pale yellow and brown silk. This neckerchief had the same loop stitching. This neckerchief was awarded to all Eagle Scouts who earned their Eagle rank in troop 201.
Troop 201 Eagle Neckerchief - 2006 - Present. Worn by Kevin Jenkins Troop 201 Eagle Scout #118, Scoutmaster Troop 201 2005 - Present. This is the troop's current Eagle neckerchief. This neckerchief is made of a golden yellow (we couldn't find canary yellow) and brown silk. It is awarded to all scouts who earned their Eagle in troop 201 beginning in 2007. This neckerchief was also designed by Wayne Timmons. Wayne searched for many months on just the right Eagle to grace the neckerchief. The new Eagle was embroidered. The design moved the Eagle Scout name to the sides, the classic neckerchief once rolled would cover up the scouts name on the neckerchief.
Troop 201 Neckerchief Collection - A collection of all the neckerchief's together.
History and Meaning of the Troop Scarfs
Scout Scarf
Troop 201’s colors are yellow and brown.
Yellow like the rays of the sun provides light and warmth thus showing the way to truth and knowledge of scouting. It also stands for a beacon of integrity you as a scout represent to your community.
Brown stands for mother earth on which you live. Giving life to all creatures. And it reminds you to enjoy and protect the land in which you live so that those who follow behind you may enjoy all the land has to offer.
Additionally, on the scarf is the major symbol of your troop; its troop number… 2 0 1. This signifies the brotherhood of scouting. The symbol of the troop number embodies a core value of troop 201. That core value is that you and your troop mates are a “band of brothers” not necessarily by blood but by the numerous experiences and situations that you have shared, adapted, and overcome.
First Class Scarf
Troop 201’s colors are yellow and brown.
Yellow like the rays of the sun provides light and warmth thus showing the way to truth and knowledge of scouting. It also stands for a beacon of integrity you as a scout represent to your community.
Brown stands for mother earth on which you live. Giving life to all creatures. And it reminds you to enjoy and protect the land in which you live so that those who follow behind you may enjoy all the land has to offer.
Additionally, on the First Class scarf is the major symbol of your troop; its troop number… 2 0 1. This signifies the brotherhood of scouting. The symbol of the troop number embodies a core value of troop 201. That core value is that you and your troop mates are a “band of brothers” not necessarily by blood but by the numerous experiences and situations that you have shared, adapted, and overcome.
Eagle Scarf
Every Troop has its own scarf color, the honor of your Troop is bound up in the scarf.
Troop 201’s colors are yellow and brown.
Yellow like the rays of the sun provides light and warmth thus showing the way to truth and knowledge of scouting. It also stands for a beacon of integrity you as a scout represent to your community.
Brown stands for mother earth on which you live. Giving life to all creatures. And it reminds you to enjoy and protect the land in which you live so that those who follow behind you may enjoy all the land has to offer.
Additionally, on the Eagle scarf is the major symbol of your troop; its troop number… 2 0 1. This signifies the brotherhood of scouting. The symbol of the troop number embodies a core value of troop 201. That core value is that you and your troop mates are a “band of brothers” not necessarily by blood but by the numerous experiences and situations that you have shared, adapted, and overcome.
Your name has been sewn into the scarf so that you will discover and realize that you are capable of great things. Take the opportunity to use those things for the good of all mankind.
Finally, on the Eagle scarf is a soaring Eagle. Eagles show strength and wisdom. Their lines are streamlined, sleek, and chiseled. This prompts one to hone thoughts and skills. The eagle commands us to tailor our intelligence and talents in a form that best suits our needs. Native people see Eagles are as a messenger of God, because it is the highest flying bird and leader in the sky. In essence it represents you as leaders.
Troop 201 History
Examiner Article on Troop 201 100th Anniversary
Troop Newsletters and Calendars
Troop201Newsletter_1938_09-pg1.pdf
Troop201Newsletter_1938_09-pg2.pdf
Troop Newsletter Page - Features Newsletters from 2009 to Present
Honor Camping Programs
Mic-O-Say - History of the troop members and the Tribe of Mic-O-Say at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation (also known as Camp Osceola, Camp Wigwam).
Order of the Arrow - History of the troop members and the Order of the Arrow.
History of the Troop Mascot - Diamondback Rattlesnake
The history of the troop’s mascot was handed down to Jack Smart (Scoutmaster 1989 - 2002) and Jason Bauer (1991 Eagle Scout) from Cliff Weakly (Committee Member 1960 - 1983) and Phil Bauer (Scoutmaster 1961 - 1969)
The history of the rattlesnake… In 1915 just after the troop was formed the boys and leaders were going camping on an overnight. They were invited to hike to Sugar Creek a mere 3-mile hike through hills and woods from Independence. The troop camped on a majestic hill overlooking Sugar Creek on one side and the mighty Missouri river on the other. The ground was flat with several trees for a nice cool shady area. There were also many patches of woods and bushes. The troop had a fantastic early summer campout a cool breeze blew over the hill with the grass waving in the wind and rustling the leaves. The scouts were working on Stalking merit badge, a merit badge no longer offered.
As the scoutmaster and leaders were teaching the boys about stalking one of the scouts noticed that in an area close by bushes around camp that there seemed like a sound of leaves rustling even when the wind was not blowing. The boys and leaders did not think much about it. The next day as the sun rose and began to warm the area the sound of rustling leaves began again. The sound pierced the early silence of the morning. Upon close inspection it was discovered that several area’s around the hill had many rattlesnake dens. The troop had camped almost directly on rattlesnake dens!
You would think that screaming and mayhem would have ensued…. Snakes and snake skins were a prized possession back in those days. The boys worked to capture as many snakes as they could. With rattles sizzling like bacon in a skillet, the boys captured several snakes. As they hiked back to Independence the next day each scout had one and sometime two snakes tied to sticks! They were waving these in the air slung over their backs like flags.
Upon the return hike boys from the neighborhood turned up walking with the troop part of the way in wonder where they had captured all the snakes. Upon returning the scouts showed their moms and sisters the snakes. Screams and squeals of disgust were heard for several blocks. From that point forward the troop was known as the “Rattlesnake Hillers”.
Well into the 1980’s leaders and scouts could be found with snake skin items on their camping equipment and Mic-O-Say tribal attire. There are existing examples of troop scarfs with a Rattlesnake dating back to the 1940’s. The troop activity t-shirts continue to carry the diamond back rattlesnake. A little-known troop sign is the holding up the right hand, using the index and middle finger curled up in the shape of rattlesnake fangs. As the sign is held up a short subtle “hissssss” can be said. Scouts in the troop can use it as their own sign of brotherhood and greeting for fellow troopmates.