The year 2007 marks the 77th anniversary of Boy Scout Troop 85.  It's first charter was approved by the National Council of Boy Scouts of America on May 15, 1928.  At the age of 38, Torsten Knudsen, who had been a Boy Scout in Norway, was the first Scoutmaster of Troop 85.  The men of his troop committee were:  Halsey Taylor, B.J. Johnson, and R.E. Hall.  Twenty Boy Scouts were listed on the original charter, all of whom would be over 75 years of age now.  Throughout the years, the interests of young men have not wavered.  Lakes, mountains, ocean shores, jamborees, skills, campfires and American ideals have remained a part of the Boy Scout tradition.

Over 77 years, Troop 85's roster reveals that every four or five years a new group of boys arrives to revitalize the troop.  As the young men move on, sometimes they leave behind dedicated fathers who become leaders.  It seems that it is the Scoutmasters to whom we must pay the highest tribute.  Of these men, Jim LePenske was the Dean of Scoutmasters.  In 1988, he completed his 28 years of service as Scoutmaster.   Under his guidance, the troop flourished and pursued many difficult tasks.   For instance, Troop 85 restored a Totem Pole and placed it on the Camp Brinkley Parade Ground to be enjoyed by all.  The Troop attended three National Jamborees and some of the scouts participated in two different World Jamborees (Japan, 1971; Norway, 1975).  In the years past, Troop 85 has taken home top awards year after year at the Aurora District Camporee.  Other activities include an annual long-term camp and a week long fifty-mile hike across either the Cascade or Olympic mountains.  Sadly, Jim LePenske passed away in 1995.

Lawton School sponsored the troop in 1928 when it was first organized.  Later, the troop met in a Navy unit Quonset hut from 1945-47.  The Magnolia Presbyterian Church began sponsoring Troop 85 in 1947 when the church was first built.  The troop has done various good turns for it's sponsor.  Under the leadership of Louis Bergen, a plumber, the troop installed a sprinkler system for the church grounds.  As an Eagle Project, boy scouts repaired and painted walls of their meeting place, Fellowship Hall.   Furthermore, each year they supply Christmas Trees for the chancel.

Troop 85 has also contributed much to the community.  Working with the Parks Department, the troop prepared plans and, with the help of other troops, built a trail, with necessary footbridges, the length of Carkeek Park.  Eagle Scouts also have carved and constructed the "Welcome to Magnolia" signs at the entrances to the community.

Through the years a number of the troop's adult leaders have been nominated for the prestigious Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service to the boys.  The leaders have pushed and encouraged these young men of Troop 85 to make the impossible possible.  It is the will of these men, combined with the energy and drive of the boys that makes the winning combination required to attain the Eagle Rank, the highest rank possible in Scouting.  Since only 1.8% of Boy Scouts are ever awarded Eagle, it remains an impressive achievement.

Original History Prepared by Art Kramer in 1989.  Revised in December 2007 by Steve Lundh.