Our Approach

Troop 3 believes that all boys need Scouting, but that Scouting is not necessarily for all boys.

We are a high adventure, high advancement, have fun Troop. We believe (and implement) the philosophy that “If you are not having fun, then something is seriously wrong.”

Our Story

Troop 3 is a part of the Buffalo Mountain District, Texas Trails Council, SR 2/3N. Troop 3 is proud to call Abilene, TX, its hometown.

Troop 3 was first chartered in 1922 in the Abilene Council.  In 1926 several councils joined together and the Abilene Council became part of the Chisholm Trail Council. Then in 2003 the Chisholm Trail Council and the Comanche Trail Council merged into the new Texas Trail Council. (Some information from  West Texas Scouting History, by Frank T. Hilton)

Troop 3 is the oldest continuously chartered Boy Scout Troop in the Texas Trails Council and one of the oldest in the State of Texas.

St. Paul United Methodist Church, in Abilene, TX, became our charter organization in April 2003. Prior to 2003, we had been chartered by University Baptist Church for over 50 years.

Meet Our Charter Organization

These people are the link between the Troop and St. Paul UMC

Steve Patterson

Charter Organization Head St. Paul UMC Abilene Pastor Steve is the Senior Pastor at St. Paul UMC in Abilene.

Andrew Turnbull

Charter Organization Representative Andrew is also a member of Troop 272, and a member at St. Paul UMC. His son is a Troop 272 Eagle Scout.

Troop 3 Leadership

These are a few of the many people who are behind the continued success of Troop 3

Meet our Leaders

These young men are in charge of the Troop.
Youth leaders “Training boy leaders to run their troop is the Scoutmaster’s most important job. Train Scouts to do a job, then let them do it. Never do anything a boy can do.” Sir Robert Baden-Powell

In the Boy Scout troop, youth leaders include Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Scribe, Quartermaster, Librarian, Chaplain Aide, Bugler, Historian, Den Chief, Troop Guide, Order of the Arrow Representative and Instructor. In an ideal setting, the Scoutmaster will consult with the Senior Patrol Leader. The Senior Patrol Leader gives the information to Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders, who give it to the Troop Guides. The Troop Guides in turn go to the Patrol Leaders, who work with their patrols to get it done.

Asa S.

Senior Patrol Leader The Senior Patrol Leader is the top leader of the troop. Asa is our current S.P.L. and has held this position since October 2019.  He holds the rank of First Class. He runs all troop meetings, events, activities and program planning meetings including The Patrol Leader’s Council meetings and semi-annual Troop Program Planning Conference. Assigns duties and responsibilities to other junior leaders with Scoutmaster’s advice. Assists the Scoutmaster with delivery of Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops training. Encourages ALL Scouts in advancement and earning badges.

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Assistant Senior Patrol Leader The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader is the second highest youth leadership position in the troop. He works with other junior leaders. Stays aware of what is being done in the troop. Helps Senior Patrol Leader run all meetings and activities for the troop.  Runs the troop in the absence of the Senior Patrol leader. Encourages advancement and badge earning for all scouts in the troop. ASPL’s may be assigned one or more of the following tasks:

• Trains and supervises the Scribe, Historian, Chaplain Aide, Librarian, Quartermaster, and Bugler.
• Responsible for leading troop monthly activities (e.g., camp-outs) in coordination with Troop adult overseeing each activity.
• Responsible for supervising the Troop Instructors to deliver instruction of skills to scouts.

Christian O.

Junior Assistant Scoutmaster Christian has been our JASM since May 2019, and was the SPL before that. He is a Life Scout. The Junior Assistant Scoutmaster is a Scout at least 15 years of age who has shown outstanding leadership skills. He is appointed by the Scoutmaster. A Junior Assistant Scoutmaster follows the guidance of the Scoutmaster in providing support and supervision to the other boy leaders in the Troop. Upon his 18th birthday, a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster is eligible to become an Assistant Scoutmaster.

Luke M.

Troop Scribe Luke is the Troop Scribe and is a First Class Scout. He is the one who gets the planning information, and event attendance information for the Troop. Keeps the Troop’s written records. Attends and keeps a log of Patrol Leader Council meetings. Works with Troop Committee to keep track of individual scout advancement. Produces Troop newsletters, and other communications.  Trains and (with the Patrol Leaders) supervises the Patrol Scribes.

Albert C.

Quartermaster Albert is the Troop Quartermaster and is a Tenderfoot Scout. He keeps the trailer clean, gets the food and gear out, supervises the loading and unloading of all the gear. Keeps records of all Patrol and Troop equipment. Makes sure equipment is in good working order. Issues equipment and makes sure it is returned in good condition. Makes suggestions for new or replacement items to Troop Committee. Gets the U.S and Troop Flags for all meetings and puts them away afterward.  If unable to attend a Troop activity, he ensures that another scout acts as Troop Quartermaster for the event.  Trains and (with the Patrol Leader) supervises the Patrol Quartermasters.

Josh W.

Phoenix Patrol Leader Josh is the Patrol Leader for our Phoenix Patrol. He has held this position since May 2019. He is First Class. He appoints the Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Quartermaster, Patrol Instructor, Patrol Cheermaster, and Patrol Scribe. Attend Patrol Leaders’ meetings; Plan and lead patrol meetings; Help scouts advance; Recruit new Scouts; and keep the patrol members informed of troop events:

Plan and lead patrol meetings and activities.

Keep patrol members informed.

Assign each patrol member a specific duty.

Represent the patrol at all Patrol Leaders’ Council meetings and the annual program planning conference.

Prepare the patrol to participate in all troop activities.

Work with other Troop leaders to make the Troop run well.

Know the abilities of each patrol member.

Meet our Scoutmasters

The Scoutmaster is the adult responsible for working directly with the Scouts to help them create the program for the troop. The Scoutmaster trains boy leaders to run the troop by providing direction, coaching, and support.

Don Christensen

Scoutmaster Don has been the Scoutmaster of Troop 3 since 1994. Before that he was an Assistant Scoutmaster. His son Trey is a Troop 3 Eagle Scout.

Shirley Noe

Scout Master Emeritus Shirley has been with Troop 3 since the ’70s, when she was Co-Scoutmaster with her husband Mike.  Their son Mike Noe, Jr. is a Troop 3 Eagle Scout.

Jacob Renfro

Assistant Scout Master Jacob has been with Troop 3 since January 2012.  He is a Troop 3 Eagle Scout.

Meet our Troop Committee

The Troop Committee makes what the Scouts want to do happen. The Boy Scout Troop Committee is responsible for conducting the business of the troop, setting policy, and helping the Scoutmaster and Scouts with the outdoor program and other planned activities. The committee also has the responsibility to provide adults for boards of review. This is an important responsibility and is one area where help is always needed and appreciated. The committee consists of parent volunteers who fulfill various roles on the committee.

Myron Schow

Troop Committee Chair Myron has been with Troop 3 since 1994, and the Committee Chair since 2010

Darrell Parrish

Advancement & Finance Chair Darrell has been with Troop 3 since 1992 and is our Advancement and Finance Chair.  Both of his sons are Troop 3 Eagle Scouts.

Dennis Jones

Troop Committee Dennis is a Troop 3 Eagle Scout and one of our Troop instructors. Dennis has been with Troop 3 since the early ’90s.

Marie Noe

Troop Committee and Publicity Chair Marie has been with the Troop since the ’70s, working with her parents Mike Sr. and Shirley.

Tommy and Genea Neble

Troop Committee Tommy has been with Troop 3 since the early ’90s. His three sons are Eagle Scouts, with Jonathon a Troop 3 Eagle Scout.  Genea has been with Troop 3 since 2009, and her son Anthony is a Troop 3 Eagle Scout

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Troop Committee