Boy Scout Troop 99 was founded August 13, 1955, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The pastor at the time was Father Thomas Clarke. The first Scoutmaster was Joe Richards soon followed by Lawrence Adams. There were 13 boys registered, three of which were former Cub Scouts. In 1956, Scoutmaster Lawrence Adams was fatally injured in an accident and Treasurer Fred Wahnsiedler stepped in as interim Scoutmaster until July of 1957, when Bert Miller took the reigns. The number of registered scouts was 33. The Troop was very actively involved with camping and aquatic activities and Bert nicknamed the Troop the "River Rats."

To help finance the Troop activities in the 1950's, Bert started what is now one of the largest Christmas tree lots in the Tri-State area by selling a couple dozen trees on the church steps. To secure the trees at night, the entire inventory was moved inside the church. Bert had the assistance of two active Assistant Scoutmasters, Harold Moser and Fred Deutsch.

Over the past 48 years, many young men have experienced Scouting through the ranks of Troop 399. (The Council added a "3" prefix to all troops, so we became "399") The Troop continues the aquatic activities such as the canoe trips on local waterways like the Wabash and White rivers, but has also expanded to include a canoe trip every other year to the Current River in the Ozark Mountains and occasional white water rafting trips. Other weekend outings include the cold weather campout in January, a pioneering overnight, cave trips, back packing trips, horseback riding trips, shotgun & rifle weekends, snow skiing trips, and trips to Fort Knox.

The Troop continues the tradition started by Bert back in the 1960's of taking a big trip every other year alternated by Summer Camp. The Troop travels to New York City, Washington D.C, and Florida on the odd years while making Summer Camp at Land Between the Lakes on the even years. The Troop has also visited Chicago and Philadelphia. In 2001, eighty-five Scouts and leaders spent ten days in the Big Apple and experienced life as a true New Yorker. In 2003, the Troop spent ten days on a trip to Washington DC. We toured the White House, appeared on C-Span, saw Vice President Cheney and our State Representatives and State Senator plus much more. For our 50 th Anniversary in 2005, the Troop will be traveling west to the Grand Canyon and beyond.

The Troop has had a wealth of talented Scoutmasters willing to take the helm of the 399 maintain the Scouting and adventurous course Miller set many years ago. Scoutmasters since Bert have been Randy Oliver, Rick Velotta, John Rea, Tim Riordan, Jim Riordan, Pete McCullough, Larry Elfreich, Tim Born and most recently, Terry Wilson.

In 1995, Bert passed away and the Troop lost their beloved Scoutmaster, Mentor, and friend. In memory of Bert, the Troop founded the Bert Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund . The BMMSF recognizes select Eagle Scouts who exemplify Bert's love of adventure, leadership, the Scouting virtues, and education with a college scholarship.

Young boys grow up to become young men and move on; most adult leaders come and go; BUT Troop 399 lives on in each individual who has ever experienced a #399 campfire, a fond Scouting memory, or that special Scouting friend.

THE 399 SCOUTING TRADITION CONTINUES!