POULSBO — Its number has changed four times in 75 years, but Boy Scout Troop 1571 keeps on trekking.

A combination of the past, present and future were on display at Poulsbo’s First Lutheran Church Sept. 12 as the troop invited the community to view pieces of the troop’s history.

“The troop has become enmeshed into the fabric of the community as a number of community leaders were members of the troop,” said Poulsbo City Councilman Mike Regis, who is the troop’s charter representative.

Among those leaders have been mayors, city councilmen, fire chiefs and others with a penchant for civic-minded service, Regis said.

The troop’s longevity can be attributed to the ongoing military presence in the area, he said, noting that the troop was formed by World War I veterans from Poulsbo’s American Legion Post.

“The navy has provided an influx of commitment to the values of Scouting,” Regis said.

Many military families join different troops as they move across the nation to different duty locations, he said.

Another reason for the troop’s continuing legacy is its location on the door step of one of the best outdoor arenas, he said.

“It’s near the Olympic Mountains, which early troop members immensely enjoyed, and we continue to enjoy,” Regis said.

The organization began as Troop 1 on April 10, 1931, and was sponsored by the American Legion, Jerome J. Jameson Post No. 81. In 1947, First Lutheran Church of Poulsbo became its home. It also changed numbers from 1 to 501 to 571, before finally gaining permanence as Troop 1571.

Through the course of its 75 years, Troop 1571 has bestowed Scouting’s highest honor of Eagle Scout upon 62 members including James Siegenthaler.

“I began in Tiger Cubs, went through all of Cub Scouts and came up to Boy Scouts,” Siegenthaler said.

In addition to being an Eagle Scout, Siegenthaler said he has enjoyed many of the troop’s outdoor activities as well as its unique history.

“I think it’s very special, because there aren’t many troops that have been around this long,” Siegenthaler said.

Troop 1571’s history and reputation have made it attractive to prospective Scouts and their families including Rick Starkgraf, who serves as the troop’s trainer.

“I looked around, this troop had a great reputation as one of the most active troops around here,” Starkgraf said.

Through the Scouting experience, his son has learned survival skills and done things he wouldn’t have otherwise, Starkgraf said.