When Assistant Scoutmaster Michael Baker talks about Troop 599, he doesn’t start with camping trips or merit badges.
He talks about leadership.
“For me, scouting in and of itself is a leadership program,” Baker said. “And so the Scouts go from basically being led to being leaders.”
That philosophy has guided Scouts BSA Troop 599 for the past 100 years, and it will be at the center of the troop’s centennial celebration Aug. 9 at Padres Hall in Corralitos.
Current and former Scouts, leaders, families and supporters will gather to celebrate a century of service that began in 1926, when the troop was founded in Watsonville under the sponsorship of the American Legion. After its longtime meeting place closed, the troop relocated to Corralitos, where it found a new home at Padres Hall.
Along the way, Troop 599 has produced 93 Eagle Scouts and contributed thousands of volunteer hours to community projects throughout the Pajaro Valley.
For Baker, one of the troop’s greatest strengths is that it has remained youth-led throughout its history.
“The Scouts themselves are the ones that lead it,” he said. “They determine what they want to do, and we as the adult leaders, we’re there to support them and guide them.”
That approach means adults sometimes have to resist stepping in when things don’t go as planned.
“It’s okay to make a mistake,” Baker said. “That’s how we learn. That’s how we grow.”
Watching that transformation unfold is one of the rewards of volunteering, he said.
“Watching that transformation take hold from somebody who’s 12 years old, as they mature into an 18-year-old, it’s really impressive to see the youth do that,” he said.
The results are evident in Scouts such as 14-year-old Timothy Baker, the troop’s senior patrol leader.
A member of Troop 599 for nearly four years, Timothy said Scouting has helped him become a leader not only within the troop, but in other parts of his life.
“It’s taught me to be more of a leader, not just in the troop, but in my community, like church, school or my friendships,” he said. “It’s also taught me to be more proactive about things like following up on assignments in school.”
Timothy said some of his favorite memories include summer camps and weekend outings to places such as Fremont Peak, Pinnacles National Park and Hearst Castle. But he also appreciates being part of an organization with such deep local roots.
“It feels really cool because we started in 1926,” he said. “It’s been a really long time, and the troop has gone through really important historical events.”
Community service remains a central part of the program, from placing flags at veterans’ graves to helping with local food drives.
The troop also continues to look ahead. Scouts vote on many of the activities they want to pursue each year, giving them ownership of the program while learning to work together and solve problems.
Baker hopes the centennial celebration will not only reconnect former members, but also inspire new families to learn about Scouting.
“It’s a great leadership program,” he said. “The more Scouts there are, the more fun it is for everybody. They learn from each other.”
The celebration will be held Aug. 9 from 3-5pm at Padres Hall, 35 Browns Valley Road in Corralitos. Current and former Troop 599 Scouts, leaders, families and supporters are invited.
RSVP information is available at t599.org or by emailing ce**********@**99.org. Families interested in learning more about joining Troop 599 can email in**@**99.orgTroop 599 celebrates 100 years of turning Scouts into leaders
