Scouts Explore an Outfit’s Rich History

Retiree Curtis Ridling returned to Ventura on Sunday to mark his former Scout troop’s 80th anniversary and visit with old friends, four decades after leaving the Boy Scouts.

Wes Fish, scoutmaster for Troop 102, attended the event and praised the organization’s traditional values.

And Vince Barraza, a 16-year-old Eagle Scout candidate, came to show his appreciation for everything he has learned the last five years.

The trio joined 75 past, present and future members to celebrate the milestone and to recognize the troop’s longtime affiliation with First United Methodist Church in Ventura.

The celebration at the church’s Trotter Hall included displays of Scout memorabilia, several short speeches, lunch and a brief awards ceremony during which several active Scouts received honors.

“I recall having some great times,” said Ridling, 65, of Santa Barbara. “Some of my best friends are guys that I met here.”

A retired teacher, Ridling struck up conversations by sharing a photograph of himself and other troop members making repairs at an Ojai campground in the 1950s.

The 20-member troop’s actual anniversary was Dec. 21, but they decided to celebrate this month because Feb. 8 marked the 92nd birthday of the Boy Scouts of America.

During the afternoon party, alumni and current members stood together, raised their hands in the traditional three-fingered salute and recited the Boy Scout oath.

“It’s a great way to train young people,” said Charles Brady, 81, of Arizona.

Brady, a former Troop 102 leader, was wearing a traditional Boy Scout red wool coat with a patch stitched to the chest depicting a black bull. He earned it 40 years ago as a scoutmaster.

The badge is given to those who attend the rigorous Philmont adventure camp in New Mexico, where Scouts still train in camping and leadership skills.

“Our kids could do anything,” Brady said of the troop he led. “If they had to build a tower for a badge, they could do it.”