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 began its journey in 1957 at the First United Methodist Church under the leadership of its first Scoutmaster, Donald C. MacKeen. Two years later, Donald’s brother, David MacKeen, established Explorer Post 16 as its inaugural Explorer Advisor, helping expand Scouting opportunities in Stoughton.

By 1980, several local troops — Troops 16, 8, and 150 — were all facing leadership transitions. At the same time, David Graber, an Eagle Scout and active leader in Cub Scout Pack 24, was approached with the challenge of combining the three units into one strong and sustainable troop. Accepting the role of Scoutmaster, Graber led the formation of the newly unified Troop 516.

Leadership of Troop 516 continued through the years with Chris Ernst becoming Scoutmaster in 1992, followed by John Kotlik in 2005, Mark Racicot in 2008, Steve Comeau in 2013, and Jeremy Gillis in 2019. In 2026, leadership was passed to current Scoutmaster Andy Tibbs.

Throughout more than 65 years of Scouting history in Stoughton, the troop has been shaped by countless dedicated volunteers and leaders whose commitment created opportunities for generations of Scouts. Troop 516 has participated in camping trips, high adventure programs, leadership development, community service projects, and outdoor activities across New England and beyond.

Under Jeremy Gillis’ leadership, the troop experienced significant growth and transformation. The program evolved from short indoor meetings into an active, outdoor-focused troop centered around hands-on activities, leadership, and adventure. Jeremy also played a major role in helping establish Pack 516 and Crew 516, helping strengthen and expand Scouting opportunities throughout the community. Through challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the troop adapted by moving meetings outdoors to Stoughton Fish & Game, helping maintain an active and engaging program for Scouts.

Troop 516 takes immense pride in the achievements of its Scouts. Over 50 Scouts have earned the rank of Eagle Scout — the highest rank in Scouting and a symbol of leadership, service, and dedication.

The troop is also deeply grateful for the support it has received from its chartering organizations over the years. From 1980 through 2022, the First United Methodist Church provided a home for the troop and its programs. In 2022, the troop officially rechartered with Stoughton Fish & Game following the successful transition to outdoor meetings during the pandemic.

To ensure the long-term success and sustainability of Scouting in Stoughton, Friends of Stoughton Scouting, Inc. was established in late 2023 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Troop 516, Pack 516, and Crew 516. By the spring of 2024, all Stoughton Scouting units officially chartered under Friends of Stoughton Scouting, Inc., marking the beginning of a new chapter in local Scouting history.

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 - 7/20/25

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

Connor G.  - Patrol Leader 12/12/21 to 12/11/22, Senior Patrol Leader 12/11/22 to 12/13/2024, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster 12/13/24 - Present

Jacob G.  - Patrol Leader 12/27/20 to 12/12/21, Senior Patrol Leader 12/21/25 to Present

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 M.  - Patrol Leader 12/11/22 to 12/10/23, ASPL 12/13/24 to 12/21/25, Patrol Leader 1/11/26 to Present

Christopher Ricardo - Patrol Leader 12/11/22 to 12/10/23, ASPL 10/15/23 to 12/13/2024, Senior Patrol Leader 12/13/24 to 12/21/25

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

Jake Mooney - Patrol Leader 12/10/23 to 12/21/25

Tony D.  - Patrol Leader 12/10/23 to 12/13/2024, Patrol Leader 1/11/26 to Present

Matthew G. - Patrol Leader 12/13/24 to 12/21/25,  ASPL 12/21/25 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 G.  - 12/11/2022 to 12/13/2024

Christopher Ricardo - 12/13/2024 to 12/21/25

Jacob G. - 12/21/25 to Present