About Us

In December 1998, The Aldersgate United Methodist Church Men’s Group proposed the idea of sponsoring a Boy Scout Troop. With support from the Church, Merrill Bishop, and Ron Wiley Sr. announced during the next Sunday service that they were looking for a few young men in the congregation to run a Boy Scout Troop. Several men in the congregation raised their hands and offered to be leaders and help to organize in the new Troop

After an informal leadership meeting and approval by the local council, Chris Parks registered as the first Scoutmaster with help from Assistant Scoutmasters Jeff Hood, David Watson, Whitney Hoffacker, and Charlie Bones. The first Troop meeting was held in January of 1999 that included six leaders and five Scouts. The meeting was very productive and set the stage for things to come.

In 2001, a Life Scout by the name named Jason Day moved into the area and transferred into the Troop. After attending summer camp and finishing up a few remaining merit badges, he earned Eagle Scout in 2002. Although he transferred in somewhat later in his scouting career, he was an integral part of the Troop and became the first Eagle Scout of Troop 119.

Over the years we have had several leadership changes, each bringing their own unique personality and style to their positions. These included Chris Parks, David Watson, Ron Wiley Jr., and Jeff Hood. In 2010, Mr. Parks returned as Scoutmaster and continues on to this day. Unfortunately, we lost David Watson back in 2003 to a stroke. In his memory, the Watson fund was established to help defray costs of camping and other scouting activities for those in need.

Troop 119 loves outdoor adventures and has been on many trips such as biking, canoeing, and especially camping. We regularly attend local camporees such as Apple Harvest in Fluvanna and Moose Camporee in Covington, in addition to week-long summer camps at Camp Shenandoah, Goshen, Blue Ridge Scout Reservation, Bayport, and Raven Knob.

The Troop prides itself on service to others and has participated in projects benefiting the Charlottesville-Albemarle community such as Rivanna Trail maintenance, Potato Pickup, and Scouting for Food; not to mention the many hours and projects worked in support of Eagle projects for other scouts in the Troop.

One of the Troop’s driving forces has always been to encourage young boys to develop and grow into young men, which is one of the many reasons that Troop 119 is one of the best around. Currently we have over 40 Eagle Scouts, including several sets of brothers, with more waiting in the wings.