Go for Broke!
Our Troop number "442" has two special meanings for our boys. First, our troop was founded on April 4, 2002. More significantly, our troop was named in honor of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which was the most decorated combat unit in the history of American warfare. The 442nd was made up of second generation Japanese-American citizens (Nisei), who wanted to serve their country during World War II. Much of the 442nd was made up of former Boy Scouts, many of them Eagle Scouts, who fought bravely in Europe while their families were interned during the war. During World War II, the members of the 442nd received over 18,000 individual decorations for bravery, 9,500 Purple Hearts and seven Presidential Unit Citations. The individual decorations included 20 Congressional Medals of Honor, 52 Distinguished Service Crosses, 1 Distinguished Service Medal, 560 Silver Stars with 28 Oak Leaf Clusters, 22 Legion of Merit Medals, 4,000 Bronze Stars, 12 French Croix de Guerre, 2 Italian Crosses for Military Merit and 2 Italian Medals for Military Valor. Our troop has enthusiastically adopted the 442nd's Motto - "Go for Broke" and we proudly wear the 442nd patch on our neckerchiefs and our hats. We are proud to pay tribute to their courage and their patriotism and we hope to honor their memories and their deeds. For more information on the 442nd and other Japanese-American units, see the Go for Broke National Education Center website.
Outdoor Program
The cornerstone of Scouting is the outdoor program, and Troop 442 has an active one! With only a few exceptions, we have had at least one major outing each month. The list of places we’ve visited is long, and includes sites from high mountain meadows and deep winter snows of the Sierra Nevada, to the deserts of eastern California, to the waters of the Pacific. We also attend a week-long summer camp each year. These camps have included Mataguay, Chawanakee, High Sierra, Kern, Cherry Valley, Whitsett, and Emerald Bay. The Troop also participates in BSA's High Adventure program. A crew from the Troop completed a Coral Reef Sailing Adventure at Florida Sea Base in 2011, sailing and snorkling the Florida Keys for a week in a 41-foot-long sailboat. We also sent crews to Philmont Scout Ranch in 2004, 2006, and 2008. Philmont represents the best of high adventure the Scouting program offers – 2-week backpacking expeditions through the Sangre de Christo Range of northeastern New Mexico The Troop will be sending another crew to Philmont in 2012!
The intent on all of our trips is to instill Scout values, grow leaders, and, of course, have a lot of fun! And adults are always welcome (and encouraged) to attend any of our events.