Crew 662 was originally chartered in spring of 1999 to Newman Outfitters in the Van Aken strip near Christ Church, but the genesis traces to the previous September. Troop 662 was planning its annual caving/rafting trip (Ohiopyle and Laurel Caverns) and the Scoutmaster (Mr. Courtright) mentioned to a Girl Scout leader (Mrs. Courtright) that they should join us. The joint trip was so successful that the youths immediately began campaigning for a coed trek to Tinnerman Canoe Base in Canada, and our District Executive introduced us to this new thing called Venturing.
We could have chartered with the church where the troop was chartered, but decided that the outfitter was an excellent fit - they were until the business closed.
After Newman's closed, we have been chartered at the Shaker Nature Center, the Presbyterian Church on Chagrin, and Friends of Crew 662. We are currently chartered to Christ Episcopal Church (along with Troop 662 and Pack 61 - one of the few organizations chartering the full spectrum of BSA) on Warrensville Center Road in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
We have bi-weekly meetings on Monday evenings at the church starting at 7:30 PM. These meetings are held outside when possible or in the basement when the weather is inclement or it is cold.
Crew 662 has gone to Tinnerman four times (including in 2014), Sea Base Bahamas twice, and Philmont four times (most recently in the summer of 2015). There have also been two trips to Mammoth Cave, backpacking in Pennsylvania, rafting in West Virginia, canoeing in southern Ohio (as well as Camp Hi), bowling nights, indoor climbing, outdoor climbing at Hinckley, shotgun/rifle shooting, COPE, bike trips, and several others. Several youth were awarded the Council Venturing Leadership award, a few bronze awards were earned along the way, but the focus has been more on having fun as Venturing members earn their Eagle Scout or Girl Scout Gold awards.
On our website, you can download newsletters and handouts, view the Crew calendar, learn about the history of the Crew, and keep up-to-date with the other Crew members.
If you are not a member of the Crew and would like to become a member, please contact one of our Crew Advisors - see the Join Crew 662 tab to the left!
You do NOT have to be in scouting, or have had any previous scouting experience to join. Any youth age 14 or older can join Venturing. If you are in scouting, you can continue to be an active member in your Troop - you CAN do both!
We update this site often, so be sure to check back frequently!