About Us

Who We Are

Welcome to BSA Troop 127. Based in Corona, California, we are a Christian-based scouting program proudly chartered by Olive Branch Community Church. For more than four decades, our troop has provided a blank canvas for scouts and their families to shape their own scouting journeys, mentoring thousands of young men on the trail from Scout to Eagle Scout. 

Statement of Faith

At the heart of Troop 127 is our commitment to the Gospel. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who came to restore our relationship with Him. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He served as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world.

Because of this act of unconditional love, we live under a new covenant of grace. We teach our scouts that forgiveness is a gift and that walking in faith means living a life of integrity, service, and gratitude. Our scouting activities aren't just about outdoor skills—they are an opportunity to see God's handiwork in nature and to grow in the character of Christ.

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then... I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel." — Philippians 1:27

Our Scouting Philosophy: Rugged Adventure & Self-Sufficiency

Troop 127 is built on a strong foundation of male leadership, father-son adventures, and rugged wilderness survival. We believe in outings that truly challenge our scouts. Rather than staying in highly organized, crowded campgrounds, we focus heavily on hiking, backpacking, and camping deep in the wilderness. Our scouts have explored nearly every old mining town site in greater Southern California, sleeping under the stars, in the dirt, and in the snow.

We train our scouts to be entirely self-sufficient in the wild, equipping them with the survival skills needed to handle any adverse situation.

Our Troop Motto: "The lessons learned on an outing are obvious and immediate." (Spill your dinner, and hunger is waiting unless your friends care to share!)

Our weekly meetings are highly intentional, used entirely to prepare thoroughly for our monthly outings. Through our diverse Merit Badge program, we help scouts discover hidden talents and explore potential career paths—from engineering to environmental science—while building the practical skills and moral character needed to lead a purposeful life.

Our History & Journey

Troop 127 has a rich legacy spanning over 40 years, yielding more than 100 Eagle Scouts. Our resilience through changing times is a testament to the dedication of our leaders and families.

1984: Our Origins at Harvest Christian Fellowship

In 1984, Chris Garner and Mike Chadwick approached the Elders at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside with a vision to start a Boy Scout Troop and Cub Pack. The units exploded in size, quickly reaching 60 Scouts and over 80 Cub Scouts. Combined with adult leaders and a Girl Scout troop founded by Kathy Perry, this vibrant scouting ministry exceeded 500 people, filling the church campus every Tuesday night.

1989: A New Generation of Leadership

After Chris Garner stepped down, Paul Nichols took over as Scoutmaster. It was during this era that our current Scoutmaster, Bill Getty, became involved, starting as a Webelos leader in 1986. Inspired by the profound impact of his own childhood scout leader, Mr. Heidner, Bill joined the Boy Troop as an assistant leader to help organize rigorous wilderness hikes and an annual 50-mile, 6-day trek. In 1989, when Paul stepped away due to family obligations, youth pastor Billy York asked Bill to take on the temporary leadership role—a position he has proudly held for over 35 years. Today, as he approaches his 73rd birthday, Scoutmaster Bill continues to train physically to hike standard miles alongside the young men.

1998: Relocating to Corona

In 1998, facing potential legal challenges to scouting programs, the elders at Harvest Christian Fellowship deemed it prudent to dismiss the scouting units. Despite having to turn in their keys and clean out their scout shed, Troop 127’s spirit couldn't be broken. The Nazarene Church in Corona warmly invited the troop to relocate, allowing them to rebuild from scratch with just 8 boys. The troop quickly rebounded to over 35 scouts and leaders, concluding a great chapter in 2009 when the church required the space back.

2008 – Present: Finding a Home at Olive Branch Community Church

Knowing Buzz Brown, the executive pastor at Olive Branch Community Church, Scoutmaster Bill approached him about a move. Though initially turned down due to logistical constraints, church leadership soon changed their perspective, and the troop was officially welcomed to the OBCC campus in 2008. Troop 127 has proudly served and been an active part of the Olive Branch community ever since.