Roanoke Scouting News Clips (1951-1971)
This collection contains more than 40 news clips of Roanoke-area Boy Scout activities from the 1950s and 1960s .
These clips were digitized from the WSLS-TV News archives and preserved by the University of Virginia Special Collections Library. They are posted online for non-commercial use. They offer rare, unseen footage of the Roanoke scouts in the field, in meetings, holding camporees, and preparing for jamborees. Most clips include the news anchor’s notes, and any pertinent voice-over script.
Source: University of Virginia Special Collections Library: WSLS-TV News Film Collection, 1951-1971
Call Number MSS 15988
(Link: https://explore.lib.virginia.edu/exhibits/show/wsls)
Usage Rights/Permissions: Creative Commons License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Boy Scouts Conduct Retreat Ceremony
at Camp Powhatan, 1950s
Date Unknown
Cisco Kid Star Duncan Renaldo Arrives In Roanoke
May 7, 1954
Announcer’s Script:
The Cisco Kid winged his way into Roanoke sgortly before noon today—all set to take part in the Boy Scouts big Camporee show tomorrow night. (start film) Cisco—-whose real name is Duncan Renaldo—-was decked out in full outfit for those who were (show film) on hand to great him……….. taxiplane It was a cold, dreary rain that greeted the Robin Hood of the West, as one of Piedmonts big DC-3’s rolled up to the terminal. CU taxi Door shot Cisco, was greeted as he left the plane by many of his faithful TV followers, who may be found practically glued to the TV set every Friday night at 8:30. Cisco & kids It was an enthusiastic meeting, especially for the kids who braved the inclement weather to greet their hero. And the enthusiam was just as eager on the part of Cisco. Officials Officials of the city and the Blue Ridge Council of the 8 Boy Scouts of America were at the terminal also. Cisco will be the main attraction of the show tomorrow night as. some 4,000 scouts from 14 counties enjoy the huge camporee at Victory Stadium. Webber. The keys to the city are presente the western movie and TV star, by Mayor Roy L. Webber. (pad maybe) Tents. The first group of scouts to arrive and set up their camp was troop 59 from Galax——As these pictures were taken, the boys were eager to get the tents up and start cooking. Lines Troop 60 of the Wytheville area, came in by bus shortly afterward and began the job of making their temporary home.
Boy Scouts attend a Camporee in Roanoke VA
May 7, 1954
Announcer’s Script:
6205 Today——victory stadium and the parking lots at each end are empty. (start film) Over the weekend, some 3500 boy scouts from 14 counties took part in the Camporee. (show negative film) Mill Mt. But Saturday afternoon—the entire area was covered with assorted tents and shelters, as the scouts from southwest Virginia continued to move into the star city. These pictures, taken from atop Mill Mountain, show how the tent city was laid out with the preciseness of a rail road bed. By four o’clock the entire area was taken up with camping boys, who were later to enjoy a big two hour show climaxed by an appearance by the Cisco Kid. dissolve into Cisco pic. Lookout Some of the boys wanted to see the city from the municiple eyrie, but it was reported that they didn’t use the road up the mountain—but rather blazed their own trail up the side in true scout fashion. Camp area The rain on Friday didnt have a chance as far as dampening the spirits of these boys, and scout officials said later that no ill effects were suffered from the cold rain which pelted the entire area during the night. Spokesman termed the event, an outstanding success.
Boy Scouts Attend Camporee in Roanoke
5/24/1958
Link:
https://curio.lib.virginia.edu/view/uva-lib:2220921
Announcer’s Script:
6836 Here in Roanoke(start film) – – – about 900 Boy Scouts are learning how to stay dry this weekend. (Show film.) They’re holding a camporee off Colonial Avenue, southwest near Fishburn Park. The scouts come from the Roanoke-Botetourt District and are scattered over about 3 acres of ground. The scouts encamped yesterday and they’ll break the encampment tomorrow afternoon. During that time, some rain has fallen, but scout leaders say the youngsters are dry and cozy. During the camporee, all sorts of camping skills are tested and improved, with the theme of the affair being “Scoutcraft- Show and Do.” There was a “Fun Fire” assembly tonight – despite the dampness. Tomorrow morning, non-denominational religious services will be held.
Air Explorer Scouts take Flight at Woodrum Field Airport in Roanoke VA
July 28, 1958
Announcer’s Script:
At Roanoke’s Woodrum Field(Start film) – – – – – a group of Air Explorer Scouts got some practical lessons in aeronautics yesterday.(Show film) They went for a ride in an Air Force C-45 – – – a fight made to acquaint them with some of the rudiments of flying. The Explorer Scout Unit is sponsored by the 9480th Air Reserve Unit in Roanoke. Captain Raymond P. Hill – an Air Force Reserve officer – heads up the local Air Explorer Units. Incidentally, the Air Force is solidly behind the air scout movement. Classroom work in aerodynamics also is a feature of the program. The scouts – who liked the plane ride – were aloft for about half an hour yesterday.
Explorer Scouts Rescued from Cave Near Roanoke VA
November 19, 1958
Announcer’s Script:
(ROLL FILM) A Richmond boy who broke his wrist in last Saturday’s cave expedition west of Roanoke says the experience was the most fun he’d ever had. (SHOW FILM) But some of the 13-year old’s companions don’t join in his enthusiasm. They’re pessimistic about future underground ventures. The Explorer scouts from the Richmond area were pulled from the cave with shoulder harnesses Saturday night. WSLS-TV news again was one of the first to reach the scene some 20 miles from Roanoke. These films by photographer John Gilbert tell the rescue story. Early reports indicated the boys were trapped. But 20-year old C.H. Hinnant, the leader of the group says the boys stayed in the cave because there was no immediate way to remove 13-year old Charles Harris. Harris stumbled and broke his wrist. Harris and his companions waited eight hours, mostly in darkness some 400 feet below the cave entrance while Hinnant and a guide went for help. The rescue was completed shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday. The boys are now safely home and ready for their next adventure.
Planning Meeting for Boy Scouts’ Scout-O-Rama in Roanoke VA
March 31, 1959
Announcer’s Script:
In Roanoke last night (Start film) – – – final plans for the big Scoutarama to be held Mary 23rd were formulated. (Show film) About 250 people showed up for a planning meeting at the Raleigh Court Methodist Church. The Boy Scout event – to be staged May 23rd in Victory Stadium – will be presented by the Roanoke-Botetourt County district. All told some 21-thousand tickets will be on sale for the big attraction. The audience last night indulged in some old-time singing then Frank Skinner, manager of the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company took over. Skinner is this year’s Scoutarama chairman. The president of the Blue Ridge Boy Scout Council – James H. Moore – also outlined some details of the affair. A bicycle will go to the Cub Scout selling the largest number of tickets to Scoutarama this year.
Roanoke Boy Scouts Practice Pitching Tents for National Jamboree
May 21, 1960
Announcer’s Script:
Late News Saturday, May 21, 1960 Thirty-eight Boy Scouts, members of Jamboree Troop 68 … have been having their tent-pitching ability severely tested by high winds… The Scouts were chosen from members of Troop 2, sponsored by Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church. They are called a Jamboree troop because they are one of three Roanoke troops which will take part in the national Boy Scout Jamboree at Colorado Springs next month. They will leave July 18th and return August first. Some 54-thousand boys from every State and many foreign countries will take part. The boys, who will camp for 48 hours behind the Marine Corps Armory on Naval Reserve Avenue, have had to double brace their tents because of winds that have reached 65 miles per hour. They consider this good practice for the windy conditions they expect to encounter in Colorado.
Plans Are Underway for a 15,000 Acre Boy Scout Camp In Pulaski County. 1960.
May 25, 1960
Announcer’s Script:
At the Roanoke Health Center….(start film)…The kick-off meeting of the Roanoke-Botetourt District Boy Scout Camp Development Fund got underway last night. (show film) B. Gary Richardson explained plans for developing in Pulaski County the largest Scouting Reservation in the world. He says the project will cost an estimated 400-thousand dollars and will provide an ideal recreation center for 48,000 Southwestern Virginia Boy Scouts, who are enrolled in the Blue Ridge Council number 600. Richardson said the reservation contains more than 15,000 acres of Southwest Virginia’s most beautiful mountain country. James H. Lucas described campaign organization and solicitation plans.
New Roanoke Boy Scout Troop Chartered
June 14, 1960
Announcer’s Script:
(Start Film) A new Boy Scout troop was chartered in Roanoke last night, sponsored by the Roanoke Council for retarded children. (Show Film) The charter for the troop was presented to Richard Klemass tonight by Lyman Karr. Klemass is is President or the sponsoring organization. An American Flag was presented to the troop by Mrs. Charles Nerren or the VFW Post 1264 Auxiliary, and a troop flag was presented by Miss Frances Reed, President of the Rokeeva Womans Club. The flags were received by the troop’s scout master, M. R. Wills. The newly formed troop has 11 members and will have its headquarters at the Roanoke Valley Training Center at 31st Street Northwest.
Roanoke Boy Scouts Leave for National Scout Jamboree
July 19, 1960
Announcer’s Script:
(ROLL FILM) A special train left Roanoke today with 153 area boys headed for the National Scout Jamboree. (TAKE FILM) The train was made up in Norfolk and its final destination is Colorado Springs, Colorado. It will pick up scouts along the way. 70 Roanoke Scouts are aboard. A total of 55 thousand scouts from all over the nation are expected for the Golden Jamboree. A million dollars has been spent on the physical site alone. There’ll be an amphithreatre and 5-thousand administrative tents. There’ll be plenty of tours of Western attractions and the usual camping and scouting activities. (L VE ON)
Boy Scouts Receive a $5,000 Grant
July 28, 1960
Announcer’s Script:
(ROLL FILM) The Roanoke Area Boy Scout development fund has received a 5-thousand dollar grant from the U.S. Steel Foundation. (TAKE FILM) The grant came today in brief ceremonies at fundraising headquarters in the Boxley Building. Fred Sirkel, manager of the American Bridge plant, presented the check to Don Jordan, President of the Blue Ridge Council of Boy Scouts. The development fund now stands at 336 thousand dollars. The goal for a huge new boy scout camp is 400 thousand. The money will be used to develop a camp in Pulaski County. (LIVE ON)
Scout Troop 51 Practice Skills of Surveillance
August 19, 1960
Announcer’s Script:
(Start Film) The Norfolk and Western Railway has received the first in a series of industrial potential reports. (show film) The report was turned over to Railroad officials yesterday by Fantus Research Incorporated of New York and Chicago. The report covers the industrial potential of areas along the N&W line. It’s being made in an effort to spur the economic development of as many areas along the N&W as possible. Fantus officials Leonard C. Yaseen and Edwin Oppel delivered the report to high officials of the railway. The report is for confidential use of industries only. Covering 400 pages the study is the first of a number which will eventually cover the entire area served by the giant railroad.
The Blue Ridge Council of Boy Scouts Receives a 10 Thousand Dollar Donation From General Electric of Salem
September 28, 1960
Announcer’s Script:
(ROLL FILM) A donation of 10-thousand dollars by the General Election Company’s Home Office has pushed the (TAKE FILM) fund raising campaign of the Blue Ridge Coucil of Boy Scouts more than 8-thousand dollars over the top. Department General Manager of the Salem G.E. Plant, B.W. Mahoney, presented the pledge to campaign Chairman Sam Moore today at the local G.E. plant. The goal was 400-thousand dollars. (LIVE ON)
Local Marine Corps Reserve Unit Involved In Constructing a Boys Camp At Hanging Rock
October 2, 1960
Announcer’s Script:
(ROLL FILM) For two years, members of local Marine Reserve Units have devoting drill time to constructing a boys camp at Hanging Rock. (TAKE FILM) The camp site is now available and will be used next weekend for a boy scout camporee. The program is under the auspices of the 1st Christian Church of Salem. To date, in the 50 acre campsite, the marines have made a one acre lake, constructed 3 miles of roan, six foot bridges, an amphitheatre, a 180 foot pier with diving platform, and picnic tables. Another lake, a lodge and a picnic shelter will be built when weather permits. The marines, under the command of Major John C. Gleason have been doing the work during drill meetings and usually camp overnight to get more work done. W.W. Shelor estimates the Roanoke Marines have put in approximately 10-thousand dollar of work over the two year period. The work has fit right in with the reserve Training schedule as the unit is the 5th Engineer Battalion A good example of the influence reserve forces can have on the community. OLIVE ON)
Scouts Get-Out-the-Vote Campaign
October 19, 1960
Announcer’s Script:
(Start Film) Some 150 area Boy Scouts met in Appalachian Auditorium last night and received supplies for a get-out-and vote campaign the Scouts will conduct Saturday, October 29th. (show film) Thirty-thousand small replicas of the Liberty Bell were distributed, to be passed on to some 2500 Boy Scouts. The boys will hang the placards on front door knobs, and those receiving them will be asked to display the Liberty Bell in their windows to show they mean to vote. The Scout officials emphasized, however, that the get-out-and-vote effort is strictly non-partisan.
WSLS-TV Roanoke Scouting News Clips: Part One