Memorabilia from years of scouting in Webster City is preserved in Troop 17's space in the lower level of the American Legion Post 191, 726 Second Street, Webster City. Troop 17 inspired the movie "Follow Me Boys."

Local families are encouraged to partake in a piece of history by joining the Scouts BSA on Thursday, May 15.

Formerly Boy Scouts of America, the iconic organization with deep roots in Webster City and Hamilton County, Scouts BSA will host its annual open house event on that day at West Twin Park in Webster City.

This event is from 4 to 7 p.m.

Scouts BSA has more than a 100-year history in Webster City. Troop 17, founded by Murray McMurray in 1918, has had a lasting impact on the boys and families of Webster City over the past century.

Troop 17 has also been recognized nationally at least twice in incredible ways.

First, in 1966, Walt Disney based the movie “Follow Me Boys” after Troop 17 and again, in 1970, when the troop was featured on the cover of LIFE magazine’s July 4th edition.

David Dixson, local Scout committee chair and a past den leader, talked about how scouting impacts the youth and families of today.

“Scouts teach subjects that schools and parents can’t or won’t,” he said. “Scouts help the youth of today learn what they need to be wonderful people. Scouts teaches youth how to be a good citizen, to give back to the community, and the value of hard work.”

Some of that hard work can be found around Briggs Woods Park. You can thank Troop 17 for the horseshoe installation near the baseball diamond, or the stairs leading to the waterfall. They have also built a retaining wall near one of the walking trails and are responsible for the iconic bench swings overlooking the lake.

More hard work comes by way of their annual popcorn sale during fall, with proceeds covering the registration of new troop members. Led by Heather Hillman, the proceeds of the popcorn sales keep scouting financially accessible for all youth of Hamilton County.

Scouting is no longer a boys-only organization. Beginning in 2018, girls have been encouraged to join. Today, Webster City Scouts has several girls among its ranks.

The troop hopes to recruit even more during its open house on May 15.

Dixson stressed that Troop 17 is a family-friendly organization. Parent participation is required at the K-4 meetings. Parents and siblings are welcomed and encouraged to participate at all levels.

This season, Troop 17 is seeking two den leaders and one cub master to lead either the kindergarten or fifth-grade pack. Dixson said new leaders will act as a teacher and guide during weekly meetings.

A successful leader will create activities and lessons based on the requirements in the Scouts’ handbook.

“New leaders will be given plenty of support from other pack leaders as well as myself,” Dixson said.

Weekly meetings are held in the dedicated space inside the American Legion Post 191, 726 Second Street, in downtown Webster City.

For more information, contact Zach Stanley for the K-5, Cub Scouts, at 515-230-4634 or Bill Baldwin for grades six through nine, Troop 17, at 515-297-3930.

Troop 17 was featured on the cover of LIFE Magazine.

A 1918 vintage uniform is preserved.