BSA Venture Crew 1861 Civil War Fife & Drum Corps

Boys and Girls, ages 11 through 20, can participate in the flagship of GBPA’s scouting program—the Fife and Drum Corps.

Formed in 2004 as Boy Scout Troop 53 and Venture Crew 53, the Fife & Drum Corps (FDC) of Maytown PA, rechartered in 2010 as Venture Crew 1861 of Gettysburg in the New Birth of Freedom Council with the GBPA as their Chartering Organization.

The FDC began reenacting at the 145th Anniversary of First Bull Run in 2006 and continues to participate in numerous living history events, battle reenactments, veterans' ceremonies, scouting events, community festivals and parades.

They portray the Field Music, 1st Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps and occasionally portray the Confederate musicians of Johnson’s Division ANV. They were featured in the August 2007 issue of Boys’ Life magazine participating in Gettysburg’s Remembrance Day ceremonies. The FDC performed for the 2009 rededication of the Lincoln Memorial in Wash. D.C. and Pennsylvania’s kick-off for the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War in the State Capitol in 2011.

In addition to playing fife, drum or bugle on the battlefield or in parade, some members also perform camp music on strings, tin flutes and drums. The group also fields a Civil War color guard.

Venture Crew 1861/1st PRVC is a unit member of the 1st Regiment, United States Volunteers (USV) and the Pennsylvania Reserve Battalion - Civil War reenactment organizations that provide for event organization and safety.

Schedules:

The Fife and Drum Corps (FDC) has an extensive musical performance and Civil War reenactment schedule that takes members from playing for visitors at the Gettysburg National Military Park, to battle reenactments in Virginia. While it is a busy schedule, not all FDC members attend all events. A schedule of events is continuously updated on the group website.

Membership, Instruments, Uniforms, Etc.:

Current members hail from all over Pennsylvania and Maryland. Venturers (aged 13-20) may also take advantage of BSA High Adventure regional and national opportunities. Musical instruments, Civil War uniforms and equipment are provided by the FDC although some members own their own. The Corps also provides group instruction in fife, drum or bugle, and participates in special instructional events. As a practical matter, drummers have some outside background in rudimentary (snare) drumming; fifers have a music background in another instrument and are trained to the fife by the corps; buglers begin as accomplished trumpet players. Musicians are always welcome. Infantry rifleman or flagbearer positions may be available in the Venture Crew’s Color Guard/ Company C, 1st PRVC.

Musicians/Scouts do not have to be Venture Crew age to participate in the Fife & Drum Corps. Boys and girls age 11 through 20 are accepted. FDC members pay dues and event fees to cover operating costs; uniform, instruments and equipment are provided by the Crew and the generous contributors to the GBPA Fife and Drum Fund

Join us in this unique scouting adventure!

Join our Civil War reenactors through any of these groups. Ages 11-20 accepted.

BSA Venture Crew 1861

Open to all young men and women, 14 -20 years of age, (Or 13 years of age and completed the eighth grade)

Any Boy Scout with interest may participate while maintaining their Troop affiliation.

Others, please contact us! Geography is not a barrier to membership!

Youth aged 11-20, or adults, interested in Civil War music and reenactment, contact us!

For more information, send us a message or contact:

Michael Cassidy
Venture Crew 1861 Advisor
P.O. Box 63, Maytown, PA 17550
Email: fifeanddrum@comcast.net
Ph. 717-426-3941 Cell# 717-368-1235
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Website: www.fieldmusic.org