“The Catholic Order of Foresters was (and is) a fraternal benefit society offering cost effective insurance to its members. Their Boy Rangers program was an off shoot designed to enroll young boys (as early as 7) into the scout like, sports program and their becoming active members in the Catholic Order of Foresters when they aged out of Boy Rangers at 16.”

“The juvenile division of the COF started in 1933, and was called Boy Rangers. At this time COF was male only. All boys who were insured by the COF were called Boy Rangers. When the “club” part of Boy Rangers started, with membership pins and ranks, isn’t known.”

“A separate group, probably similar to an auxiliary, called the Women’s Catholic Order of Foresters had a group called Girl Rangers.”

“In 1952, the COF began to admit women and girls, rendering the Women’s Catholic Order of Foresters redundant. Soon, girls were allowed to join the “Rangers” program, which by now had dropped the “Boy” in their title and the program name became “Forest Rangers.””

“There were 5 ranks to the Forest Rangers program; Hunter, Brave, Warrior, Scout & Chief.”

© Vintagekidstuff