Ever since the formation of the Buddhist Church of San Francisco in early 1900, the leaders and ministers were very conscious of the need for a meaningful program to involve the youngsters of the membership.

The 50-Year Story...

50th ANNIVERSARY

Although numerous ideas were discussed ad various intervals, it was not until 1932 that a determined group of parents finally agreed on a Scouting program and outlined a definite objective. This resulted in the chartering of Troop 29, Boy Scouts of America, sponsored by the Buddhist Church of San Francisco, in June, 1933. Mikio Fujimoto was the first Scoutmaster, and served in that capacity for seven years. Those formative years saw the involvement of many concerned parents and temple leaders as well as the resident ministers of the Church.  Unfortunately much of the written history of Troop 29 from its inception has been lost or destroyed. Thus the activities and the history that is related here comes from recollections by former members who are still active in community and temple affairs. The Parents Association was organized by the parents to support the program to ease any undue financial burden on the Church.  Outstanding in this group were Dr. Motoo Itatani, Koshiro Nakabayashi, Hisato Yamate, George Hagiwara and Reverends Terakawa, Akahoshi, Sanada and Nagatomi.  In 1939, the CUB PACK 29 was organized with Koshiro Nakabayashi as the Cubmaster. Manroku Matsumoto, Hisashi Horita, Nobuo Ozaki, Tad Horita and Hirofumi Okamura all took key roles during the inception and organization phases. Uniforms worn by the members of Pack 29 during this period were unusual and probably the only time such a uniform was recognized by the local Council. The uniform consisted of the following: white sweat shirt, blue jeans, purple oversea cap, and the purple neckerchief worn by the Boy Scouts. Official Cub insignias, shoulder patches and emblems of rank were obtained separately and sewn on the sweatshirts.  Troop meetings were held every Friday evening on the ground floor of an old Victorian flat located directly across from the present Temple building. This building was known as the YMWBA building and served the Troop until completion of the present facilities in 1938. The meetings were always preceded with a flag ceremony usually led by one of the Senior Patrol leaders. This was followed by inspection of uniforms. Merit points were awarded to patrols for excellence during inspections and de-merits were given to patrols not measuring up to standard. At the conclusion of the formal meeting, each patrol numbering from five to six scouts retired to their individual patrol “corners" to plan patrol activities as well as to discuss items of interest that had come up during the Troop meeting. During this period advancement requirements were studied with help of the patrol leaders and older scouts. Each patrol picked names for their patrol shoulder patches with appropriate symbols to be displayed proudly on their uniforms. Some illustrious patrol names included the Beaver Patrol, Flying Eagle Patrol, Fox Patrol, Cobra Patrol, Wolf Patrol, and others. The Troop meetings always concluded with the recitation of the Scout Law.  Weekly dues were five cents and paid to the Troop Quartermaster.  Because of the very cramped and limited space, activities were limited.  However, the Troop often walked up several blocks to Lafayette Park to engage in spirited games of "Capture the Flag".  In the dark of night, the action often became very rough and resulted in many of the scouts going home in worse shape than when they came.

The annual summer camp was held for one week each summer.  The locale was a camp situated on the banks of Russian River known as "shin ya" camp. The camping in those days can best be described as being primitive in all ways. There were no cabins, bathrooms, mess halls, cooking facilities or swimming pools. Getting to camp was an experience in itself. All of the equipment and supplies were loaded on to a truck with the scouts and the trip took at least three hours. Upon reaching campsite, each patrol was assigned an area to develop as their own patrol areas. Tents without floors that would house six scouts were put up. Trees and brushes around the area were cleared and every effort was made to make their area more attractive than the others. Patrols were assigned different tasks in order to get the camp in order. Latrine details had to dig and set up oversize "outhouses." Pits and grills had to be set up for cooking while firewood had to be gathered and the supplies were stored away. The tallest and straightest poplar tree was cut down and taken to the riverbank to serve as the camp flagpole. The riverbank became the assembly area for the Troop. Each morning after reveille, the entire Troop would line up for the flag raising ceremony and once again assemble at dusk for retreat formation. With the absence of bathrooms, all bathing and washing was done in the river. The river was also dammed in order to make it safe for swimming, and a sturdy plank served as a diving board. Each morning the patrols were assigned duties for the day.  Two patrols were assigned KP duties and one patrol was assigned to go to town for necessary food and supplies.  Getting to the store required a hike of about three miles each way.  One year an ingenious patrol took roller skates to camp and skated to town.  Another daily function was gathering of logs for the huge campfire every evening.  The patrols competed to see who could build the highest campfire by gathering huge logs requiring the strength of the entire patrol.  Each night after dinner, the huge campfire was lighted and the entire Troop gathered around for an evening of varied programs.  Ghost story telling, songfest, patrol skits, marshmallow roasting and the like tested the inventiveness and the ingenuity of the scouts and the leaders alike.  The fear of the "Initiation" night brought much anxiety to the "rookies" (those attending camp for the first time).  On this night, "rookies" would be told to follow a marked trail and get through as quickly as possible.  Hidden along the trail would be the "veterans" with their assorted collection of wooden paddles, ready to pounce upon and heap good-natured indignities upon the terrified "rookies".  Upon completion of this ordeal, he would be proclaimed a "veteran" and his turn would come next year.  It was truly a proud moment to obtain the status of Veteran.  Activities were planned for each day.  They included swimming contests, hiking trips, and much time was spent in studying for merit badges in order for advancement in rank.  Great rivalry had always existed with Troop 12 and camp was no exception.  The camp dates have always coincided and this made it possible to engage in direct competition with each other.  Baseball contests were exciting and accusations of raiding the commissary by both sides enlivened the camp days.  Sunday was "Visitors Day" and was eagerly awaited by everyone.  Parents and friends laden with foods and goodies were a welcome sight for some homesick and hungry scouts.  At the conclusion of the week, all of the facilities were left intact for the use of incoming students with the Church language school.

In addition to the annual summer camp, outdoor activities included hiking trips to Boot Jack Camp, Mt. Tamalpais and Stinson Beach.  The trips to Marin were made on the Ferryboats and connecting electric trains.  The Troop also participated in Camporees held in Golden Gate Park and Camporals that were held outside San Francisco.  These activities were overnight camping trips sponsored by the Boy Scout Council for all of the Scout Troops in the City.  The Troop Anniversary party was always the highlight event of the year.  The Scouts demonstrated for the parents and guests their scouting skills acquired during the year such as signaling, fire starting, first aid, etc.  A concert by the Drum and Bugle Corps was also presented. Awards were presented to individuals for their achievements and advancement in rank.  Special honors were accorded to the patrol with the highest number of merits during the year. The party was always topped off with delicious food prepared by the mothers and the huge fully decorated anniversary cake.

The completion of the present Church structure in 1938 brought forth a new era for Troop 29.  Larger meeting rooms and gymnasium facilities were made available allowing for active participation for greater numbers of youngsters.  This period just prior to the war marked a remarkable growth of the Troop.  The Drum and Bugle Corps participated in many community affairs in and around the Bay Area while as many as fifty scouts at a time were seen marching along in various parades.  However, the advent of World War II and the resulting Evacuation brought a temporary halt to Troop 29.  In 1945-46, with the return from the relocation camps, normal church activities were resumed.  Henry Nakatani was the Scoutmaster just prior to the evacuation and he returned to the helm and worked diligently through 1955. He and Tetsuo Ochi, the Cubmaster, successfully reorganized and revamped the pieces to create a viable program.  Lay leaders who struggled mightily during those years were Dr. Motoo Itatani, Richard Seiki, Walter Hashimoto, Eichi Sato, Misao Murata, Noboru and Yae Hanyu.  Ministers who were most helpful during this period were Reverend Shintatsu Sanada and Reverend Hoshin Fujikado. 

The scouting program of Troop 29 was extended to include an Explorer Post 29 in 1954 with George Murakami as the first Post Advisor.  This extension of activity was directly responsible for five boys becoming the first Eagle Scouts of Troop 29 in 1957. Since that time our organization has witnessed 52 boys attaining the Eagle rank. Further, in 1958 the program was solidified with the incorporation of the Parents Association of Troop 29. Walter Hashimoto became the first President. The Association became responsible for the continuity and general financial support of the scouting program, providing liaison with the Church Board as well as with the local and district council levels of the Boy Scouts of America hierarchy. As a result of the organizational and structural changes, scouting activities at the Church flourished and reached a peak in the 1960's to 1965 period when the Association numbered between 85 to 95 families. The Pack, Troop and Post meetings were still held on Friday nights and the types of activities were limited only to the scope and imagination of the group leaders. Traditionally they have participated fully in all District Council events and programs. During the winter and spring months, weekend campouts and a Snow Trip have provided variety. The annual summer camps have been augmented by four excursions to Japan in 1965, 1974, 1978 and 1982 to participate in the ALL JAPAN JAMBOREES.  These trips under the leadership of Art Sawada, the Scoutmaster, have fostered relationships with Troops in Hokkaido, Japan and Kyoto as well. As we look back on five decades of activities, many honors too numerous to mention have been bestowed on the organization and its members. The fact that 52 boys have attained Eagle rank has already been alluded to. Additionally, three Palms to the Eagles have been earned, plus six Sangha awards. Kiyoshi Ichiyasu, Shizu Ichiyasu and Asao Sawada have been given the Silver Beaver award, the highest leadership award given by the Boy Scouts of America.