East side Boy Scout troop leader looks back on 75 years of memories 

Troop 199 said its final farewell in fall 2024.& & The Boy Scout troop mainly served African American boys on the east side of Indianapolis throughout its 75-year run. The Indianapolis Recorder sat down with scout leader James Campbell as he reflected on decades of camaraderie, community service and unforgettable adventures.& For 48 years, Campbell was one of the troop’s scout leaders. He said he could not have done it for so long without the help of his wife, Delorise. She was as dedicated as he was to the young men who joined the troop. During his tenure, he saw at least 500 young men participate.& & Campbell was a boy scout growing up in Muncie. As a child, he only cared about having fun, but as a troop leader, he had a much greater mission. The main thing the troop leaders wanted to let the boys know was they had a choice; their current lifestyle was not the only way to live.& Troop 199 Boy Scout leader James Campbell. (Photo provided/James Campbell) “We’re preparing these young boys for manhood,” Campbell said. “Therefore, we do have a bar that we set, and we bring these young men up to our...