Monthly Archives: January 2024
Pioneer District Klondike: Scouts BSA and Webelos
Pioneer District units are getting ready to compete in this year’s Klondike Derby.
Units will go through different towns, participating in a series of challenges.
The Pioneer District Klondike Derby will be held Saturday, February 3rd at Watchung Reservation.
The Pioneer District will also be holding a Webelos Trek alongside the event, giving Webelos an opportunity to see what a Klondike is all about, bond with the troops, and get to participate in their own event.
Registration is open now till January 25th.
Use these links to register:
Scouts BSA: Scouts BSA Registration
Webelos: Webelos Registration
Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday Observance
The Patriots’ Path Council will be closed on Monday, January 15th in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. The offices, both Scout shops and all the camps will be closed.
2024 Skylands District Klondike
The Skylands District 2024 Klondike will take place the weekend of January 26-28, at Winnebago Scout Reservation, in Rockaway Township, NJ. Registration remains open through Sunday, January 21. No walk-in registrations may be accepted at camp.
- Direct registration link: https://scoutingevent.com/358-SkyKlondike.
Scouts will have fun testing their Scout Skills traveling through up to sixteen towns or stations.
- Units will be responsible for their own meals at the Klondike.
- Please bring a non-perishable or canned food item to contribute to our council’s food drive, as well as canned soup for the soup station.
For additional information, contact this year’s Klondike Chair Jim Maguire, (973) 997-0400, or [email protected], or Bob Reidmiller, (973) 903-5096, [email protected]
Raritan Valley District Klondike
Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable winter adventure! The Raritan Valley District proudly announces the much-anticipated Klondike Derby, set to take place on the weekend of February 16, 2024, at the picturesque Winnebago Scout Reservation.
This annual event promises an exciting blend of outdoor activities, team-building challenges, and camaraderie, making it an ideal opportunity for Scouts and leaders to come together and celebrate the spirit of Scouting. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or new to the Scouting world, this Klondike Derby is an event not to be missed!
Event Details:
Date: February 16 – 18, 2024
Location: Winnebago Scout Reservation
- Units have the flexibility to choose between camping for the entire weekend or joining us for the day. Whichever option you choose, rest assured, it will be a day filled with thrilling adventures and valuable experiences.
- We extend a warm invitation to Webelos Cub Scouts to join in the fun! The Klondike Derby is a fantastic opportunity for younger Scouts to get a taste of the exciting adventures that await them on their Scouting journey.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to create lasting memories and embrace the spirit of Scouting!
Save the date for the Raritan Valley District’s Klondike Derby on February 16 – 18, 2024, and let the adventure begin.
2024 Fishawack Klondike Derby – Webelos/AOL, Scouts BSA & Venturing Crews
Welcome to the 27th annual Fishawack District Klondike Derby! Over the course of the day, teams will visit nine (9) different towns to test their knowledge, outdoor skills, teamwork, and mental ingenuity. Each team also must take a mandatory lunch break. Scouts will not learn the actual events of the competition until the day of the Klondike Derby – Saturday, February 3rd, 2024, at Camp Somers, Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation in Stanhope.
The eligible age for Senior Scouts BSA team members is under 18 years of age and Venture crew members are 14 to 20 years old. Junior Scouts BSA team members have not yet reached their 14th birthday and have a rank lower than Star Scout. The use of sleds by teams is mandatory.
Webelos and AOL Scouts are also welcome to attend their own program and will learn outdoor skills as they visit a series of “towns” at the Fishawack Klondike Derby.
- Activities will include Fire building, BB shooting, First Aid and Pioneering.
- Each Webelos or AOL Scout must be accompanied by a registered leader from his or her unit, or parent while visiting towns (stations).
Register Here:
Scouts BSA & Venture Crews: Scouts BSA & Venture Crews Register
Webelos/AoL Program: Webelos/AoL Register
Program Launch – Plan Your Next Scouting Year!
Please mark your calendars and prepare for an exciting event as the Patriots’ Path Council gears up for its Program Launch on March 2, 2024! Set against the backdrop of knowledge and fellowship at the University of Scouting, this event promises to be a highlight for Scouts and Scouters. Join us at Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights for a day filled with learning, inspiration, and the unveiling of exciting new programs.
The Patriots’ Path Council is committed to promoting personal growth, leadership skills, and a love for adventure among Scouts. The Program Launch is a testament to this commitment, bringing together Scout leaders, volunteers, and enthusiasts to discover the latest opportunities to shape the Scouting experience in the coming year. Whether you’re a seasoned Scout leader or a newcomer to Scouting, this event offers valuable insights and resources to enhance your Scouting journey. The Program Launch will provide a sneak peek into the exciting adventures that lie ahead for Scouts in the Patriots’ Path Council.
Please save the date, spread the word, and make plans to join us on March 2, 2024, at Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights. The Patriots’ Path Council Program Launch during the University of Scouting is your opportunity to be a part of something bigger, learn, grow, and ignite the spirit of adventure in the hearts of Scouts. Stay tuned for more details, and prepare for a day that promises nothing short of extraordinary!
Summer Camp Promotions
Learn more about Patriots’ Path Council summer camp options!
Schedule a short summer camp presentation at your pack or troop meeting for this winter or spring! We look forward to seeing you!
Order Placements for Your Blue and Gold
Order placemats for your 2024 Blue and Gold celebration. Placemats are printed on blue and gold 11″ x 17″ paper. Order as many as you like! Don’t forget parents, siblings, and extended family and friends.
Placemats are available for pick up at the PPC Service Center on the date requested. Use the link to place your order for your pack.
Open 2024 Philmont Crew Slot
The adventure of a lifetime awaits! The Patriots’ Path Council 2024 Philmont contingent has a vacant crew slot – and the time is now to claim that spot for your youth!
The departure date for this contingent is: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 (returning Wednesday, July 10, 2024)
A Philmont crew is composed of 8 or 9 youth and 3 or 4 adults. A minimum of 3 adults is required to attend Philmont.
All Patriots’ Path Council crews will participate in the Watchu Training program – an 18-month “get ready” program, which consists of:
- Five (5) advisor briefings
- One (1) advisor skills training session
- A full weekend simulated Philmont program for the whole crew.
In addition, the council will manage your payments, make the airline reservations and distribute payments to Philmont, the airlines and the Colorado tour operator. Any units that do not have enough interest for a full crew, but have members that would like to go to Philmont, can send an email to Chief Watchu ([email protected]) stating the number of scouts and adults that are interested. Council will work with partial crews to create combined crews.
Don’t delay- reach out today!!!
Registrations are Open to PPC Crews for Philmont in 2025!!
With the begining of 2024 it is time to start the planning and preparations for your unit’s 2025 adventure at the “Pinnacle of Scouting” – Philmont Scout Ranch in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in New Mexico.
The applications to join one of the Patriots’ Path Council Philmont contingents for the fifteen (15) day (14 night) adventure can be done online on the council’s website at https://247scouting.com/forms/358-philmont2025crews
The link is also available on the council’s High Adventure website and at Watchu.org.
There are 4 crews in each of the 5 contingents for a total of 20 crews. The departure dates and return dates for the contingents are:
- 626 June 24 to July 8, 2025
- 627 June 25 to July 9, 2025
- 628 June 26 to July 10, 2025
- 717 July 15 to July 29, 2025
- 718 July 16 to July 30, 2025
The allocations of the crew numbers will be done at the Patriots’ Path Council Service Center in Cedar Knolls on January 23, 2024 (the fourth Tuesday in January). Philmont crews consist of 12 members – 8 youth and 4 adults, or 9 youth and 3 adults. For the initial application a minimum of 6 youth and 2 adult names are required. Units may register for multiple crews and units can create a combined crew with neighboring units. No payments are needed with the applications. The deposits are only due by the middle of February 2024.
All Patriots’ Path Council crews will participate in the Watchu Experience. It is an 18-month “get ready” program, which consists of:
- Five (5) advisor briefings
- One (1) advisor skills training session
- A full weekend simulated Philmont program for the whole crew
In addition, the council will manage your payments, make the airline reservations and distribute payments to Philmont, the airlines and the Colorado tour operator. Any units that do not have enough interest for a full crew, but have members that would like to go to Philmont, can send an email to Chief Watchu ([email protected]) stating the number of scouts and adults that are interested. The Watchu Team will work with partial crews to create combined crews.
For all enquiries or questions, please email Chief Watchu at [email protected].
