Monthly Archives: October 2023
Pioneer 2023 Scouts BSA Camporee
The Pioneer Scouts BSA Camporee took place October 13th to the 15th at the Round Valley Youth Center.
Over 200 youth from in and out of our council participated in competitions such as battlebots, adventure scramble, Mario kart racing, and more.
Despite the showers, the Scouts were all smiles and are excited for the next camporee.
Skylands District 2023 Fall Cub Camporee – Carnival Fun!
The Skylands District held its Fall Cub Family Camporee the weekend of October 6-8, at Winnebago Scout Reservation. This year’s theme was “Carnival Camporee” with carnival themed activities, including parachute fun, balloon inflation and flying, rubber duck fishing, craft making, special circus themed bb target shooting, and a cub-aged team building activity. The ongoing weekend liquid sunshine did not dampen the spirits of the five hundred youth and adults that participated in the fun.
Special thanks to the camporee committee for planning and executing the camporee, including Katherine and Steven Smith, and Patty Poland. Thanks also to the many Scouts and unit leaders from troops that helped run stations at the camporee. We look forward to our 2024 Spring Cub Camporee, scheduled for the weekend of May 17-19, at Mt. Allamuchy Scout Reservation, Camp Somers.
Skylands 2023 Scouts BSA Fall Camporee – Mission To Mars!
The Skylands District Scouts BSA Fall Camporee was held the weekend of October 13-15 at Winnebago Scout Reservation in Rockaway Township, NJ. The camporee theme was “Mission to Mars”, where Scouts enjoyed an afternoon and evening of adventure, on a journey to Mars. Activities included team building courses, cosmic adventures, and out of this world fun!
Scouts were challenged with the task of gathering fuel rods (made from socks stuffed with glowsticks and deer corn) to enable them to return to earth, but without getting caught by the Martians on guard. Scouts also enjoyed team building exercises such as maneuvering through a Martian minefield blindfolded, using listening skills from their team leader to survive the course. And of course, Martian BB!
Special thanks to camporee chair Bob Reidmiller, and program chairs Jeff Winkler (aka “the Martian”), Alan Thomas, Jim Maguire, and the many other Scout leaders that helped with program coordination. We look forward to our 2024 Skylands Scouts BSA Spring Camporee to be held at Mt. Allamuchy Scout Reservation, the weekend of April 26-28.
Try a Day at Cub Scout Camp!
A Day at Cub Scout Camp!
For one day, come experience Watchung Day Camp!
Creating memories, one adventure at a time.
Watchung Reservation Cub Scout area, Mountainside, NJ
November 9, 2023
Register now at https://scoutingevent.com/358-watchung
Three options for the day:
- Half Day $65
- 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Kids bring their own lunch, snacks, and water.
- Enjoy a fun filled day of BB guns, archery, slack line, disc golf, slack line, STEM, and COPE games.
- Afternoon $25
- 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Take a two hour hike and see historical Watchung.
- Full Day $90
- 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Kids bring their own lunch, snacks, and water.
- BB guns, archery, slack line, disc golf, slack line, STEM, and COPE games with a two hour hike and see historical Watchung to end the day.
Open to all kids in 1st grade through 5th grade. You do not have to be a registered Cub Scout to participate!
Help Disadvantaged Youth Get a Toy this Holiday Season!
Help disadvantaged youth get a toy this Holiday season! Patriots’ Path Council announces 2023 Toys for Tots Program (and this year it includes a contest!)
The Patriot’s Path Council is proud to participate in the annual Toys for Tots program! Our council collects the toys, then the US Marines distributes those toys locally to children who need them in our area.
Click here for more information on the 2023 drive.
The collection points are:
- Winnebago Scout Camp, Flintlocks Building front porch, open 24 hours
- Council Service Center, Cedar Knolls, open Mon to Fri, 9 am – 6 pm and Sat 10 am – 3 pm
- Camp Somers at Allamuchy Scout Reservation, Camp Office, open 24 hours
- Mountainside Scout shop, open Wed, Thurs, Fri noon to 6 pm and Sat 10 am – 3 pm
- Fire Station No 1, Fords, Woodbridge Township, open 24 hours
We are excited to announce we will also be running a contest to encourage our units to collect the most toys possible!
The contest works like this. There will be three categories:
- The unit which donates the greatest number of toys, total.
- The unit which donates the greatest number of toys per scout.
- The Charter Organization which represents units which donate the greatest number of toys.
RULES:
- Toys must be delivered to a Council Collection Point; or brought to a Round Table, and your District representative will bring them to the nearest Collection point.
- Report your totals to Chair Dr. Michael Hart [email protected] A Scout is Trustworthy
- First, Second and Third Place Certificates will be awarded and will be featured on our council Facebook page.
- The Contest ends midnight, December 15th.
Families may also order toys online and ship them directly to Camp Winnebago located at 102 Timberbrook Rd, Rockaway, NJ, 07866
Toys especially needed are: basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, board games, dolls, cars, trains, books, art supplies, new stuffed animals, LEGO’s
Thank you for your help making disadvantaged children happy this holiday season.
Chess Under the Lights at Pioneer District Camporee!
It was a good evening for chess under the stars at the Pioneer District Camporee on Friday the 13th of October!
Forty Scouts had fun playing chess under the lights. Three advisors to the PPC Chess Club hosted the open chess event.
Scouts are encouraged to join the Patriots’ Path Council Chess Club (PPCCC) Click Here.
For more information on our activities Click Here. We are available to host open chess at other PPC events—let us know!
Fishawack Scouts BSA Camporee
Scouts from the Fishawack District took part in the 1st Annual Scouting Pentathlon, September 29th-October 1st.
100 Scouts BSA participants representing 10 Troops spent the weekend at Camp Somers, Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation.
The morning program kicked off with challenges in cross country running, biking, archery, rifle shooting, and obstacle course challenges. Throughout the camp, Scouts cheered each other on as members of their troop raced throughout the courses.
When the afternoon rolled around, it was time for some team-building challenges. Scouts participated in tomahawk throwing, water balloon tosses, stretcher relay, and a flag raising competition. The day finished off with a chess tournament and open volleyball. At the end of a busy day, tired Scouts enthusiacally participated in the evening campfire program.
Thank you to all that came out and participated!
2024 Membership Incentives
Fall is when families look to join Scouting.
This is a perfect time for them to join, we have:
- Fall camporees for both Scouts, BSA and Cub Scouts
- Klondike Derbies in January and February
- And Pinewood Derby season before you know it!!
We need everyone’s help. Ask your neighbors, friends and family to join you in your Scouting adventure, it is always more fun with someone you know.
Please share the Online Discount code with everyone you know!
Raritan Valley Cub Camporee
The recent Raritan Valley District Cub Scout Camporee was an exhilarating adventure that brought together nearly 400 Cub Scouts, parents, and siblings for a weekend of outdoor fun and skill-building activities. The event offered various engaging experiences that left participants with lasting memories.
BB gun shooting and archery were undoubtedly the highlights of the camporee. Cub Scouts honed their marksmanship skills under the watchful eye of trained instructors, fostering a sense of discipline and responsibility. Building on this safety theme, the “build your own first aid kit” activity empowered Scouts with essential knowledge about first aid and emergency preparedness.
The Slackline activity added an element of thrill and balance to the event, challenging Scouts to traverse a narrow line suspended between trees. It tested coordination and courage, pushing Scouts in a controlled environment out of their comfort zones. Parents and siblings also had a chance to connect with the scouting experience, strengthening family bonds and fostering a sense of community.
The Raritan Valley District Cub Scout Camporee was a resounding success, offering Cub Scouts valuable life skills, outdoor experiences, and unforgettable memories. It reinforced the core values of Scouting while bringing families closer together, making it a cherished event for all who attended.
Visit the Deserted Village Open House
Scout dens, packs, patrols, troop or crews will enjoy visiting the Deserted Village of Feltville in the Watchung Reservation during its annual Four Centuries in a Weekend program, Saturday and Sunday, October 21 & 22, noon to 5:00 pm.
Free activities include hayrides, apple cider pressing, quill pen writing, an archaeological box dig, old-fashioned children’s games and marshmallows roasting on a campfire. Shop for novelty toys and candy in the general store. Meet costumed characters (including a Revolutionary War soldier in the Village cemetery) and an archaeologist. Take a guided or self-guided tour.
1 Cataract Hollow Road, Berkeley Heights, NJ. Learn more at https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs/historic-sites-map/
