The Square knot is the international symbol for scouting and is found on the International Activity Award. It also represents one of the skills that scouts must know (knot tying).

The sixteen points of the compass are represented and indicate that scouting will provide youth with moral direction in life. The compass also represents a skill that scouts learn (finding their way with a map and compass).

The Fire indicates camping, and that scouts will make journeys to many places.

The frying pan represents another scouting skill - cooking.

And yes, taken together, they represent that Troop 516 scouts will travel, and find their way, to anywhere for food.

Troop 516 History

Troop 16 embarked on its journey in 1957 at the First United Methodist Church under the guidance of Donald C. MacKeen, who assumed the role of the inaugural Scoutmaster. 

Two years later, Donald’s brother David took on the mantle of Explorer Advisor, establishing Explorer Post 16. By 1980, with transitions in leadership imminent, fresh stewardship was essential to sustain Troop operations. Concurrently, Stoughton Troops 8 and 150 also required new leadership. 

At this juncture, David Graber, actively involved in Cub Scout Pack 24 and an Eagle Scout himself, was approached. Tasked with amalgamating the three Troops into one cohesive unit, he accepted the challenge and assumed the position of Scoutmaster. 

This unified Troop was assigned the national number 516. In 1992, leadership passed to Chris Ernst, followed by John Kotlik in 2005, who subsequently handed over the reins to Mark Racicot in 2008. Steve Comeau succeeded Racicot in 2013, and in 2019, Jeremy Gillis assumed the role of our current scoutmaster. Throughout its illustrious 60+ year history, Troop 16 has been blessed with a cadre of devoted leaders. 

Their unwavering commitment has enabled the Troop to partake in diverse activities, ranging from camping expeditions to high adventure trips and community service projects. A source of immense pride is the fact that over 50 Scouts have attained the esteemed rank of Eagle Scout, the pinnacle of scouting achievement, while affiliated with our Troop. 

Gratitude is also extended to the First United Methodist Church for its steadfast support from 1980 to 2022. In 2020, amid the challenges posed by COVID-19, Troop meetings transitioned to Stoughton Fish and Game, allowing for safe outdoor gatherings. Consequently, in 2022, our charter officially relocated to Stoughton Fish and Game. 

Recognizing the need for sustained support, the Friends of Stoughton Scouting INC. was established in late 2023, a nonprofit dedicated to bolstering Troop, Pack, and Crew 516 in Stoughton. By spring 2024, all charters were formally transferred to the auspices of Friends of Stoughton Scouting INC.

Past Youth Leaders

Nathan Bodette - Patrol Leader 06/05/15 to 04/07/16, ASPL 03/10/17 to 10/04/17         Senior Patrol Leader 10/04/17 to 09/28/18

Brendon Buckley - Patrol Leader 05/17/16 to 03/10/17, ASPL 09/27/18 to 03/08/19,     Senior Patrol Leader 03/08/19 to 09/01/19

William Campanario - Patrol Leader 09/09/11 to 09/28/12, ASPL 09/28/12 to 04/14/15

Brandon Cohen - Patrol Leader 09/09/11 to 04/14/15

Nicholas Comeau - Patrol Leader 09/12/14 to 06/05/15, ASPL 09/20/15 to 12/20/15, Senior Patrol Leader 12/20/15 to 02/01/19

Trevor Dubovy - Patrol Leader 09/04/13 to 09/12/14

Castin Fraine - Patrol Leader 09/09/11 to 04/13/16, ASPL 12/12/14 to 04/13/16

Jack Goldberg - Patrol Leader 06/05/15 to 05/10/16, ASPL 02/09/18 to 09/28/18, Senior Patrol Leader 09/28/18 to 03/22/19

Nikhil Khond - Patrol Leader 03/20/17 to 09/28/18, ASPL 09/06/19 to 11/08/19,       Senior Patrol Leader 11/22/19 to 12/13/20

Justin Killgoar - Patrol Leader 09/01/09 to 09/13/13

Joshua Lyons - Patrol Leader 03/10/17 to 02/09/18, ASPL 03/08/19 to 06/21/19,       Senior Patrol Leader 06/21/19 to 02/08/20

Garrett McCormick - Senior Patrol Leader 09/13/13 to 01/03/14

Trevor Simmons - Patrol Leader 09/05/12 to 03/27/13

Anish Sinha - Patrol Leader 09/28/18 to 03/08/19, ASPL 11/22/19 to 12/27/20

John Stewart-Racicot - Patrol Leader 01/03/09 to 11/15/09

Thomas Walsh - Senior Patrol Leader 12/12/14 to 12/28/15

Stephen Zorn - Patrol Leader 03/14/09 to 09/05/10, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster 11/16/12 to 01/03/14

Evan Stone - Senior Patrol Leader 12/13/20 to 12/11/22, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster 12/11/22 - Present

Logan Hampton - Patrol Leader 12/27/20 to 12/12/21, ASPL 12/12/21 to 06/30/22

Connor Gillis - Patrol Leader 12/12/21 to 12/11/22, Senior Patrol Leader 12/11/22 to Present

Jacob Gillis - Patrol Leader 12/27/20 to 12/12/21

Nick Previatti - Patrol Leader 12/27/20 to 12/12/21

Matthew Hurley - Patrol Leader 09/28/18 to 03/08/19, Patrol Leader 11/22/19 to 12/27/20, ASPL 12/27/20 to 12/12/21

Neil Gibbons - Patrol Leader 12/12/21 to 12/11/22, ASPL 12/11/22 to 10/15/23

Aadil Khond - Patrol Leader 11/22/19 to 12/27/20

Cameron Morgan - Patrol Leader 12/11/22 to 12/10/23

Christopher Ricardo - Patrol Leader 12/11/22 to 12/10/23, ASPL 10/15/23 to Present

Philip Wuschke - Patrol Leader 12/12/21 to 12/11/22

Jake Mooney - Patrol Leader 12/10/23 to Present

Tony Donovan - Patrol Leader 12/10/23 to Present

SPL History

Garret McCormick - 9/13/2013 to 1/3/2014

Thomas Walsh - 12/12/2014 to 12/28/2015

Nicholas Comeau - 12/20/2015 to 10/4/2017

Nate Bodette - 10/4/2017 to 9/28/2018

Jack Goldberg - 9/28/2018 to 3/22/2019

Brendon Buckley - 3/8/2019 to 9/1/2019

Joshua Lyons - 6/21/2019 to 2/8/2020

Nikhil Khond - 11/22/2019 to 12/13/2020

Evan Stone - 12/13/2020 to 12/11/2022

Connor Gillis - 12/11/2022 to Present