Sixty-Three Years of Scouting and Service in Beltsville

Members of Scout Troop 1033 celebrating Scout Sunday on February 8 at Emmanuel United Methodist Church. Photo By Cale Fuller.

February 8, 1910, marked a landmark moment in American history with the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. For 116 years, Scouting has served as a lifeline for young people and families in communities across the country. For 63 of those years, Troop 1033 has been an active presence in the Beltsville community and a valued community partner of Emmanuel United Methodist Church on Cedar Lane.

Troop 1033 is currently led by Scoutmaster Jennifer Kresge, a longtime member of Emmanuel and the Beltsville community. On February 8, 2026, Mrs. Kresge, along with the scouts and parents of Troop 1033, celebrated Scout Sunday at Emmanuel United Methodist Church. The troop opened the worship service by presenting the flags and colors and leading the congregation in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Following the opening, Mrs. Kresge spoke to the congregation about the enduring importance of Scouting. She reminded attendees that even after more than a century, the mission of Scouting remains unchanged: preparing young people for life “by building character, fostering citizenship, and developing leadership and life skills.” Through Scouting, many young people are given opportunities they might not otherwise have.

While Scouting is often associated with outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and fishing, these experiences represent only a small part of the program. Scouts also learn essential life skills, including cooking, first aid, teamwork, and leadership. In addition, they are encouraged to give back to their community through service projects, charity drives, Eagle Scout projects, and other outreach efforts. These experiences help young people discover their place within their community and the wider world.

Emmanuel United Methodist Church has been a community partner with Troop 1033 for more than 60 years. In addition to providing meeting space, the church offers ongoing support for the troop’s mission. According to Scoutmaster Kresge, Emmanuel is “a community partner that helps to support our goals of raising young people who are resourceful, honest, responsible, respectful, and positive.”

The members of Emmanuel take great pride in their longstanding partnership with Troop 1033. Over the years, the church and the troop have worked together on projects that benefit both organizations and the broader community. They look forward to many more years of shared service, growth, and scouting in Beltsville.