Troop 218 is a small, but active Boy Scout troop focusing upon ech individual scout.  In the past 20 years we have maintained a leader to scout ratio of not more than 3:1. Since 2005 we've enjoyed an Eagle Scout rate of over 85% of our registered troop membership.  In this age of year round school, activities & sports, this is quite remarkable compared to the National average of just over 6%. 

Troop 218 of the Cape Fear Council was chartered in the early 1950's by Mr. Carl Ferger, a BSA field representative, who moved to Wilmington with his family from Indiana.  Carter Mebane III, one of the early scouts in the troop remembered staff meetings be held at Mr. Ferger's home just a few blocks from Winter Park Presbyterian Church.  The church was established in 1913 and through the years grew and hosted many youth programs.  After it's charter, Troop 218 has been in continuous operation except for a couple years in the early 1980's. Council records indicate that we have been continuously chartered since 1981.

Mr. Ferger continnued as Scoutmaster of our troop until he was  limited in participation by a crippling case of arthritis.  Mike Prevatte,  a Troop Committee Chair, still remembers going to the Ferger's home to trim bushes and rake leaves as part of "giving back" to the Fergers for their contribution to both the church and Troop 218.   We have Mr. Ferger to thank for pioneering our troop and setting our wheels in motion.

Throughout the years since before our first Eagle Scout, Walter Cory in 1954, a long list of involved church members contributed their time and talents as Troop 218's Scoutmaster.  We are still working to get more accurate information, but at least a partial list included: Mr. Bob Isley, Mr. Lawrence Murray, Mr. I.B. Brown, Mr. John North, Mr. Cliff Mabry (whom many current scouts may remember), Mr. Bobby Whaley, Mr. Harry Taylor, Mr. Doyle Holder (also a former scout in the troop), and Mr. Chip Plyler.

Mr. Sam Burgess joined the troop as Asst. Scoutmaster in 1991 and the next year took over as Scoutmaster. He diligently served as Scoutmaster of our troop until Dec. 2012.  Mr. Burgess oversaw our troop and its activities for 22 years, mentoring hundreds of scouts and 27 to the rank of Eagle Scout.  Mr. Burgess introduced many of our adult leaders to troop service.  We're grateful for his time, dedication and commitment to the ideals of scouting and making such a huge difference to so many youth's lives.  Mr. Burgess remains active on our Troop Committee and as our Committee Chair and the Advisor to the Klahican Lodge of the Order of the Arrow.  Sam's son, Adam, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with our troop.

Mr. Rob Goslee and Mr. Joe Pedzwater were members of the Troop Committee since the mid-1990's to late 2000's as well and contributed to our troop's well being with organizational guidance and Eagle Scout mentoring. Both have had sons in the troop as well. Carson Goslee and Mason Pedzwater are Eagle Scouts from troop 218.

Mr. Robbie Galphin and Dr. Ed Whitesides have greatly contributed to our troop's growth since the late 1990's with outdoor guidance and rank mentoring, as well as summer camp leadership. We thank them both for their committment to our troop. Their sons Wells Galphin, Boyce Whitesides and Tucker Whitesides are Eagle Scouts from Troop 218.

Mr. Tim Canady, asst. scoutmaster, directed our camping and outdoor activities, advised our Eagle Scout projects, as well as anchors our fund-raising. Mr. Canady was active in the troop from 2008-2011 and offered a wealth of outdoor knowledge and readily shared it by locating new and interesting locations and activites for our troop. Mr. Canady's step-sons Tristan and Nathan Geever were active members of Troop 218.

Mr. Larry Murray joined Mr. Burgess as Asst. Scoutmaster in 1992 and has also continued to expertly guide our troop through 2012 from camping to Eagle Project advice, fund-raising and Boards of Review. Mr. Murray was also an active scout in the troop and his father, Lawrence served as Scoutmaster. 

Mrs. Peggy Irwin (Troop Finance Chair 1995-2014) kept our troop solvent and financially stable since the 1995. She kept advancement records and overall organization for our troop. Her son, Paul is a troop 218 Eagle Scout.

Our current Scoutmaster, Mr. Bill Blaisdell, is continuing the tradition of leadership and guidance set forth by our previous scoutmasters.  Mr. Blaisdell has served as Asst. Scoutmaster since 2008.  He has been very active mentoring summer camp, outdoor activities, rank advancement and fund-raising with our troop.  Bill's sons, Alex & Jason are Eagle Scouts from troop 218, his son, Derek is a current troop member.

Mr. Mike Prevatte (Troop Committee Chair for over 20 years) oversaw our troop advancement and Boards of Review.  Mr. Prevatte was intrumental in each scout's climb toward Eagle Scout.  Mike's son, Scott is an Eagle Scout from our troop.

Mr. Rik Beitel is our webmaster, fund-raising chair and asst. scoutmaster.  Rik joined our troop in 2005 and has lead our Popcorn sales and their infamous bonus trips.  Mr. Beitel has built this website and continues to document our troop's activities with photographs.  His son, Cody, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 2010.

Mr. Tom Hackler is an asst. scoutmaster. He and Mrs. Hope Hackler performed as troop record keepers from 2005-2013, maintaining accurate documentation of each troop member's advancement & achievements.  Mr. Hackler actively camps with the troop and mentors our troop members.  Their son, Powell, earned his Eagle Scout rank in 2010.

Mr. Lou Ashey was our troop merit badge counselor (2009-2015) and helped direct and mentor our scouts as they earned various merit badges throughout their scouting career.  Mr. Ashey's grandson, Jacob earned his Eagle Scout rank in 2014 & remains active in our troop.

Mr. Bob and Mrs. Kathy Coble joined our troop as leaders and new record keepers for Troop 218 in 2011.  Both are active campers and mentors to our scouts and contribute greatly to the activities of our troop.  Their son, Alan earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2017.

Mr. David Small is active on our Troop Committee and our camping trips/activities.  He brings years of experience within scouting as his sons Will & Joseph achieved the rank of Eagle in 2009 & 2018 respectively. Joseph is currently still active within our troop.

We have a wonderful troop with excellent leadership and an incredible group of youth that continue to mature in strong citizens and community leaders.  It's been a blessing to have the support of the church and congregation of Winter Park Presbyterian Church and the opportunity to continue this legacy.