In the pouring rain at Dockton Park, beneath a canopy of tents and umbrellas, generations of Scouts gathered Saturday, Sept. 14 to commemorate 100 years of scouting on Vashon Island.

Attendees huddled together, enjoying chili, live music and memorabilia from decades past. The event marked the centennial of Vashon’s Scouting America (formerly known as Boy Scouts of America) program and the long-standing presence and contributions of scouts on the island.

Founded in 1924, Vashon Island’s troop has seen generations of scouts pass through its ranks — earning badges, camping under the stars and learning the value of leadership. Now serving all genders following a national shift in 2019, the program continues to offer outdoor skills, leadership training and a chance to be of service to the island community.

Kevin Britz has been involved with scouting on the island for 40 years and was a scout himself before becoming an adult volunteer in 1990. He served as scoutmaster from 1992 to 1998.

“Scouting is just about giving back,” Britz said. “So, I figured I’m helping give back.”

In the rain, with some kids wading in the Puget Sound, scouts of all ages mingled and sang call-and-response songs.

The troop has produced 108 Eagle Scouts, the highest rank in scouting, with each scout completing a service project that benefits the community.

“For me, an Eagle Scout project is like real life,” Britz said. “They have to do leadership, they have to figure out their bill of materials … [and] how to get people to volunteer. They’re all skills to take on for life.”

While there used to be both a Burton troop and a Vashon troop, Britz said, the Burton troop merged with the Vashon group due to a shortage of adult volunteers.

“There’s been like 25-30 handoffs successfully in a row,” DeLapp said. “That’s insane. The only reason we are all hanging out and doing this is because we like what the program does.”

Devon DeLapp, one of the two Scoutmasters, sees Vashon’s size as an advantage for the program, highlighting scouts’ involvement in local events such as putting up flags for holidays and walking in the Fourth of July parade. DeLapp, who was a scout in Spokane during the 1990s, joined Vashon’s troop four years ago when his daughter became old enough to participate.

“Because it’s a relatively small community, the kids are able to have a very visible role,” DeLapp said.

The troop operates entirely on a volunteer basis, with all activities and leadership provided by dedicated parents and volunteers.

Scout Law includes 12 characteristics that scouts are expected to live up to: Trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

“It prepares kids for life … how do you talk to adults, how do you do paperwork, how do you deal with red tape,” DeLapp said. “It’s a funny thing, but there’s a bureaucratic aspect of Scouts. … The main thing is: it’s fun.”

Stephanie Gogarten, Pack 275 Committee Chair for the Cub Scouts, and her wife, Jenny, have been involved in scouting since 2016 when their oldest child joined. Several attendees said they played a pivotal role in transitioning the pack to become co-ed.

“For families who have boys and girls, for everyone to be in the same troop is so much easier on the parents,” Gogarten said.

Stephanie, who was in a nature-focused Girl Scout troop led by her mother, wanted the troop to be co-ed to ensure nature remained a priority, as it often is not in other Girl Scout troops, she said.

“I would like my kids to develop an appreciation for nature and respect for the outdoors,” Stephanie Gogarten said. “It’s been a really good thing for my kids to be involved with a program that emphasizes service, respect for others and being a member of a community.”

Scoutmaster Andrew Casad reflected on the consistency of scouting throughout the decades. Casad, an Eagle Scout, has been involved with Vashon’s troop since his son was in second grade.

“You think about all the kinds of institutions that have come and gone over the last 100 years, and scouting is still consistent,” Casad said.

The Vashon troop, he noted, may be a little more laid-back than others, but its inclusivity has made room for a wide range of scouts to feel at home.

This year, the troop awarded the Eagle Scout rank to three scouts: Everett Hatfield, Lander Fontaine, and Eban Tracy.

What sets scouting apart from other sports or after school activities is how achievement is often about collaboration, rather than individual competition, Casad said.

“We really try to emphasize to adults involved in scouting that our method focuses on gradually increasing challenges and shifting more responsibility towards youth planning and leadership,” Casad said.

As the rain slowed to a drizzle, Casad reflected on the connections that kept the troop going.

“What keeps people in scouting is those bonds that they form with other scouts,” he said. “That’s what brings us all together.”

A commemorative centennial badge, specially designed for the Scouting event, is given to all attendees as a keepsake of the 100-year celebration. (Aspen Anderson photo)

Everett Hatfield, a senior at Vashon High School and Eagle Scout #106, points to his Eagle Scout project — a new aerator installed at the Sportsman Club pond to improve oxygen levels for the fish and enhance the local environment. (Aspen Anderson photo)

Kevin Britz, described as a pillar of the Vashon Island scouting community, was a scout in the program as a kid and later had the opportunity to guide his own son through it. (Aspen Anderson photo)