Monthly Archives: April 2026
Operation WRIP 2026
Over 200 Scouts and volunteers gathered on Saturday, April 18th for the Patriots’ Path Council 3rd Annual Operation WRIP Program at the Watchung Reservation.
Big thanks to our Council Community Service Chairman and Operation WRIP Champion, Dan Bernier for all of his hard work in putting the event together with his team at the Union County Parks.
The program aims to remove invasive plants, specifically Japanese barberry and multiflora rosa from the Watchung Reservation forest ecosystem.
Is Your Unit Up for the Challenge?
In celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary, every unit is challenged to complete 250 hours of community service during 2026.
Whether through council projects, rank-requirement activities, family service, or simple acts of good turns, every hour counts, and every effort strengthens our communities!
More information can be found here – https://ppcscouting.org/impact-365/
Spring Is Here – Time to Order Your Recruiting Supplies Now!
With unit renewal season behind us, it’s time to start thinking about Spring Recruitment!
PPC has tons of things to help support your recruiting efforts like lawn signs, stickers, pencils, canopies, and much more!
Reserve your materials today! https://247scouting.com/forms/358-PPCrecruitingmaterials
Mountainside Scout Shop Closed Saturday, April 25th
The Mountainside Scout Shop will be closed Saturday, April 25th, for the 2026 PPC Awards Celebration. The Kurland Family Scout Shop in Cedar Knolls will be open, and able to fulfill your orders on site!We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. The Mountainside Scout Shop will re-open, regular hours, on Wednesday, April 29th.
Celebrate your Eagle Scout at the Patriots’ Path Council 22nd Annual Eagle Scout Recognition & Reunion Dinner!
Celebrate the 2025 Eagle Scout Class, our 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees, and our 2026 National Outstanding Eagle Scout on Tuesday, May 19th at Olde Mill Inn in Basking Ridge 6:00pm.
For more information and to register, click here – https://scoutingevent.com/358-22ndEagleDinner
2026 Patriots’ Path Council Awards Celebration Registration Deadline: April 20th
Join us as we celebrate some of the best in Scouting! We will be presenting the 2026 SILVER BEAVER AWARDS at the PPC Awards Celebration on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at The Hanover Manor (16 Eagle Rock Avenue, East Hanover, NJ 07936). We will also be presenting the SILVER ANTELOPE AWARD, TRAILBLAZER AWARDS, YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS, VENTURING LEADERSHIP AWARDS, COUNCIL DUTY TO GOD AWARD, ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR AWARD, INTERNATIONAL SCOUTER’S AWARD, and TORCH OF GOLD AWARD.
Register on-line HERE. RSVP deadline is April 20, 2026. If you cannot attend the event in person, consider placing an ad or congratulatory message in the journal. Details about all these options are available HERE.
Congratulations to our 2026 recipients!
SILVER BEAVER AWARD: Michelle Blanchfield, James M. Cutler, Donald Fowler, Don Smith, Chandrashekhar Vyas, Hattie Warren
SILVER ANTELOPE AWARD: Alan Grossman
TRAILBLAZER AWARD: Keith J. Hawkins, Sr., Kathleen Perna, Gary F. Porter, Ph.D., Roger Ruggieri, Eric J. Shick
YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD: Madeline Browne, Sammy Landis, Christian Raiman, Abigail Sheridan, Krishan Trikha, Anika Zoeller
VENTURING LEADERSHIP AWARD: Natalia M. Arpino, Les Wu
COUNCIL DUTY TO GOD AWARD: Jim Agar
ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR AWARD: Jay DeBoey
INTERNATIONAL SCOUTER’S AWARD: Wayne Davis
TORCH OF GOLD AWARD: Lisamarie Virola-Banko
Exploration Merit Badge at the Explorers Club
On Saturday March 28 approximately 140 Scouts and Scouters assembled at the Explorers Club in New York City for the first steps in earning the Exploration Merit Badge. The Scouts got to hear from multiple world class explorers and learn about their exciting adventures. This program was initiated by Ron Scorese from Troop 80 in Cranford. As a member of the Explorers Club, he made the arrangements for the explorers contributing to the program and the use of the facility.
Presentations included:
- Steven Schwankert – Using AI to research and plan Explorations.
- Benjamin Ring – 600-mile sailboat race from Greenland to Bermuda with youth crew.
- Greg Morrissey – Mapped waterway from Canada to NYC by canoe with Scout participants.
- Roberta Kravette – Wolf Reintroduction / Management program at Yellowstone National Park.
- Jeff Bozanic – Multiple Antarctic Expeditions with Scout participants.
18 More Days Until Operation WRIP! 10 More Days to Register!
18 more days until OPERATION WRIP! 10 more days to register!
Camping and participation is FREE!
The goal of the event will be to remove as many invasive plants from the Watchung Reservation forest ecosystem as possible in one morning. On that date, it is expected that Japanese barberry and multiflora rosa bushes will be the only plants in the forest with green leaves, making it easy to identify them. The plants will be removed by pulling, digging up the root balls, or cutting.
Service hours can be credited toward rank advancements or as conservation hours for Camping Merit Badge or the 50-Miler Award (a good opportunity for Philmont crews).
All participants are asked to register by Wednesday, April 10, 2026. Complete details will be emailed to participants after they register.
Registration is required here – https://scoutingevent.com/358-wrip
Summer Camp Leaders Meeting
Leaders’ Meetings are a great opportunity to meet camp and program directors ahead of summer camp and get all your questions answered. Each troop will receive a Leaders’ Guide to help prepare for the season.
Please see below for important details on dates, times, and locations. It is strongly recommended that at least one leader from each troop attends.
Camp Winnebago
April 11, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Winnebago Dining Hall
102 Timberbrook Road, Rockaway, NJ
Camp Somers
April 12, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Camp Somers Dining Hall
750 Waterloo Road, Stanhope, NJ
Camp Somers – Trailblazer Day Camp Meeting
April 12, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Parents are welcome to join us at Camp Somers to ask questions and take a tour of camp.
If you are unable to attend in person, additional meetings will be offered via Zoom shortly after the in-person sessions. Please keep an eye on your email for more information.
Summer Camp Early Bird Extended to April 15th at Midnight
We’ve extended our Early Bird Pricing deadline —giving you a little extra time to lock in the best rate for summer camp!
Don’t miss out on an unforgettable experience filled with adventure, new friendships, and lifelong memories. From day camp to overnight and specialty programs, there’s something for everyone.
Secure your spot today and save! https://ppcscouting.org/camping/
