Watchung Mountain Cub Scouts Enjoy Camporee
The Watchung Mountain District Spring Cub Camporee was held the weekend of May 14-16, 2021, at Winnebago Scout Reservation. There were 332 attendees from 13 Cub Scout packs. In addition to a variety of activities, the day featured a Scout earning a free week at camp for catching a 15-inch Largemouth Bass. Special thanks to
Raritan Valley District Holds Recognition Breakfast
On Saturday, May 22, 80 members of the Raritan Valley District joined together to celebrate the hard work in 2019 and 2020 of their adult volunteers. There were 34 Hero certificates awarded, and 25 awards presented including seven District Awards of Merit. Mike O’Shea received his 50-year service pin, and Tony Sarao received his 75-year
PPC Chess Club Continues to Grow
Patriots’ Path Council has been hosting online chess tournaments for Scouts monthly since the onset of the pandemic, and more than 1,700 games have been completed. Chess, already a popular pursuit among Scouts (the second most popular merit badge not required for Eagle), has seen a real boost this year. Players of all skill levels
Update Email Addresses in ScoutBook
If you’ve noticed in ScoutBook that your email address has changed to [email protected], it generally means that when your account was synced to ScoutBook from ScoutNet, there was another ScoutBook account already utilizing your email address. This very likely happened because when your son or daughter was registered, they were using your email address. Then
Member Transfers Can Be Done Through My.Scouting Portal
A reminder from Mike Wellech, council registrar: Last November, National updated the My.Scouting.org portal to allow units to transfer members without submitting applications. Transfers cannot not be done using www.BeAScout.org, or ScoutBook. This will usually create a duplicate profile and is a headache to resolve down the line, plus data and records are sometimes lost
Black River Cub Scouts Enjoy Fun Day at Camp Somers
On Saturday, May 1, the Black River District held its spring Cub Scout Family Camporee Fun Day event at Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation, Camp Somers. Over 400 Scouts, siblings and parents enjoyed a day of shooting sports, fishing, disability awareness, knot tying skill development and nature hikes around Frenchie Pond. The weather was spectacular, and
Arrowmen Hold Day of Service at Winnebago
The Woapalanne Lodge of the Order of the Arrow had a day of service at Winnebago Scout Reservation on April 17. Thirty-three Arrowmen zip-lined across Durham Pond to create a trail from the zip line to the start of the eight-platform challenge course and then zip-lined back. Several took on the challenge of the all-new
Sussex Cub Scouts Have Fun at Winnebago
On Saturday, April 17, about 90 Cub Scouts, siblings and parents participated in the Sussex District Cub Scout Adventure Day at Winnebago Scout Reservation. Program areas included Duty to God, Scouts in the Wild, Scouting Necessities, and Duty To Country. Rounding out the day, everyone got to try their hand at BB guns and archery.
Flintlocks Ready to Help This Summer
The Flintlocks, Boy Scouts of America, Inc., met for its annual meeting on April 15, 2021. The group elected the new slate of officers for the coming year, updated its bylaws and mission statement, reviewed the accomplishments of the previous year, and discussed projects Patriots’ Path Council needs to have done to prepare for summer
Packs Participate in Munsee District Webelos Klondike
The Munsee District Webelos Klondike was held on April 17, 2021, at the Scout Area of Watchung Reservation. Eight packs and 46 youth participated. The winning dens: 1st Place – The Bolt Cats – Pack 53B – Fords 2nd Place – The Red Tail Hawks – Pack 26G – Fords 3rd Place – The Tiger
Munsee Scouts Enjoy the Outdoors at Klondike Challenge
This year’s Munsee District Klondike Challenge was held on April 17, 2021, at the Loop Area of Watchung Reservation. COVID-19 forced the district to split the event into a morning and afternoon session, each competing in the same four skill towns. Nine troops and 97 Scouts participated with 16 sleds. Top finishers for the morning:
Fishawack Cub Scouts Earn Ranks at Adventure Day
On April 24, Fishawack District had 107 Cub Scouts gather at Lewis Morris Park to earn some of the electives for their rank. There were 12 stations at the Cubs Adventure Day offering electives from Lions doing Gizmos & Gadgets to Webelos building birdhouses and taking home saplings for planting. Everyone had a great time in
Non-Registered Adults Removed From ScoutBook
As of April 12, all adults who are not registered as a member in the BSA will have been removed from your unit’s Scoutbook adult leader roster. This does not affect parent connections to their Scouts. Parents will still receive unit messages and have access to their Scouts as they do today. If you notice
Deb Reidmiller Honored with National Award
Each year, the BSA presents the national Woods Services Award to an adult in Scouting who has demonstrated exceptional service and leadership in the field of Scouting for disabled people. Given by the Woods Services in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, the Woods Services Award is the highest recognition awarded by the BSA in this area of service.
Raritan Valley Klondike Attended by More Than 350
A total of 33 units with over 370 Scouts, adult leaders and support staff participated in the Raritan Valley District Klondike on Saturday, March 20, at Winnebago Scout Reservation. From older Scouts teaching Webelos and Scouts BSA troops competing against themselves to a troop getting restarted, the Raritan Valley Klondike was a success. The district
Only Complete Adult Applications will be Accepted
A Reminder from Council Registrar Mike Wellech: We’re no longer accepting adult applications that are incomplete. If an adult application is handed to a district executive, Scout shop associate or any other employee, and is incomplete, they have been instructed to hand it back to the person to have it completed and then bring it
New Elective Adventure Offered for Bear, Webelos and AOLs
The Modular Design Preview Adventure is sponsored by Snap Ships. This new adventure is for Bear, Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts as they learn the benefits of modular designing and building within the fun and exciting world of Snap Ships. Snap Ships has provided great video resources that can be used for virtual or
Fishawack District Holds Klondike at Camp Somers
On March 20, the Fishawack District Klondike was attended by 180 Scouts BSA and 40 adults at Camp Somers. To reduce any chance of COVID-19 transmission, everyone wore masks, sleds were omitted, and Scouts remained in pods. Teams of between four and six Scouts visited eight stations spread out at two adjoining campsites. Sixteen junior
Be Sure to Print Membership Cards, Charter Certificate
Reminders from Council Registrar Mike Wellech: PRINTING MEMBERSHIP CARDS AND CHARTER CERTIFICATES: Now that your charter is posted, you’ll want to print your membership cards and your charter certificate. Here are two PDF’s showing you how to do that: Printing Membership Cards Printing Charter Certificate UNIT ADVANCEMENT CHAIR: This is your annual reminder to assign
Be Sure to Report Community Service Hours
All community service hours should be reported on Scoutbook (for your unit’s records) and through the PPC app or website. Hours can be reported at any time during the year, but must be reported by December 31. Below are hours that should be reported: Scouts: Hours that are part of a unit project, Eagle Project
Recruiting Tools Available for the Spring
A variety of recruiting tools are available for the spring. These resources include a Cub Scout recruiting materials form, “Den Meeting in a Bag,” and the BSA Brand Center. For more information, click here.
Adventure Awaits at Summer Camp
As the seasons begin to change and the temperature begins to rise, it’s a great time to start thinking about summer camp! Patriots’ Path Council has an exciting summer camp season planned for Cub Scouts, non-Scouts, Scouts BSA, and summer camp staff! Join in the fun this summer by clicking here. To apply to be
PPC Partners with Old World Meats for Fundraiser
Are you looking for a way to help fund your summer adventure? If so, Patriots’ Path Council has an opportunity for you. PPC has partnered with Old World Meats to provide Meat Sticks as a fundraising opportunity. Old World Meats sticks come in 12 flavors and are priced to move at $1 per stick. Forty-nine
2020 Merit Badge Ranking List Rewritten by the Pandemic
The pandemic didn’t stop Scouts from earning merit badges in 2020, but it did cause a dramatic shift in which merit badges Scouts earned most. Ever since 2012, when the merit badge rankings where first published, the top of the list has been dominated by merit badges that are both on the list of Eagle-required
Community Service Efforts Recognized
Congratulations to the winners of the 2020 Community Service Patch. Winners are chosen from each district, and these honored units have the most hours for the year and/or the most hours per Scout. Each winning unit will receive a patch and a flag ribbon. The 2020 honorees are: Black River: Pack 53, Troop 555 Fishawack:
Eagle Scouts Hiking Appalachian Trail
Ryan Arndt, Garrett Arndt and Tyler Bishop, all Eagle Scouts from Troop 436 in Long Valley, recently embarked on hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. The three Eagle Scouts, along with a friend, Eli Shepard, decided to take a gap year and hike the Appalachian Trail. Starting at the trailhead in Hiawassee, Ga.,
Stay Safe and Stay Healthy
An updated COVID-19 pre-event medical screening checklist (Revised December 2020) is available to help you determine whether to stay home or not during the pandemic. It shares symptoms to look for as well as defines “close contact.” According to the Centers for Disease Control, “close contact” means: You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19
Black River Klondike Draws More Than 300
On January 30, the Black River District Klondike Derby was held at Winnebago Scout Reservation. Over 300 Scouts and their leaders enjoyed a beautiful, Artic-cold sunny day with enough snow on the ground to pull sleds and add to the feeling of a traditional Klondike. Although the Scouts were confined to their sites during the
Sussex Scouts Get Outside for Klondike Fun
The Sussex District Klondike was held at Camp Somers at Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation on January 30. Thirteen troops with over 200 Scouts, Webelos and adult leaders participated in the event. Scout troops were assigned to campsites and the “mayors” rotated to the sites to maintain cohort integrity under current COVID-19 restrictions. Rather than focus
FOS Campaign Offers Unit Recognition
The 2021 Friends of Scouting (FOS) campaign recently announced its Progressive Recognition Program for Units. Support of the campaign through a unit’s campaign will add benefits to the unit in 2021. Three levels of recognition are offered: Friend of Scouting Patron of Scouting Benefactors of Scouting For additional information, click here.
Scoutbook’s Leader Invite Process to Change
Effective March 1, 2021, Scoutbook’s leader invite process will perform a check for a BSA issued Member ID and active BSA registration when being invited to connect with the unit roster. Prior to March 1, unit leaders should check their rosters in Member Manager at https://my.scouting.org to ensure all adult leaders listed in Scoutbook are
Eagle Scout Rescues Trapped SUV Crash Victim
On January 7, two Paramus police officers rescued a trapped driver whose SUV crashed on Route 17. One of the police officers was Nicholas Perna, Eagle Scout Class of 2007, Troop 186, Raritan Valley District. The driver’s vehicle ended up on overpass stairs and caught fire. Perna, pictured left and below, and his fellow officer
Order Online for Scout Shop Pick-Up
Are you ready to get your unit’s advancement order? Let us help! Please use this link below to fill out an online order form. When you submit, it will come directly to us, we’ll get your order together and let you know when it’s ready. We can either take payment over the phone and ship
Proposed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Merit Badge Delayed
The introduction of the proposed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion merit badge is being delayed to allow for the careful consideration and evaluation of feedback received from a wide variety of commenters on the draft requirements. Until further notice, all Scouts working on the Eagle Scout rank should continue to use current rank requirements. Once the
Limited Extensions Available to Earn Eagle Rank
Effective January 1, 2021, local councils will have the authority to grant limited extensions of time to complete Eagle, Quartermaster or Summit requirements. These extensions are available only to youth members who qualify under the three tests listed on BSA Form No. 512-077, available by clicking here. Council advancement committees are advised that after Dec.
EPA and BSA Create New Award for Youth
The Environmental Protection Agency, as part of a public awareness campaign to celebrate its first 50 years, has partnered with the Boy Scouts of America to create an award for members of troops, crews and ships. This new award will recognize youth who research and learn about the subjects of human health and the environment,
Showcase Your Community Service Projects
The PPC Community Service Committee would love to hear about your unit’s service projects so it can share and inspire. Please send any pictures and a brief description to: Linda Cummings, Community Service Committee chairperson, at [email protected]
Scouting U Modules Implement New Software
Scouting U is always looking for the latest in technology and tools to make learning the best it can be for its audience. Recently, the modules implemented a new and improved computer-generated audio software that is much more natural sounding than what was used previously. Check out the new modules at https://my.scouting.org and earn training
PPC Collects More Than 2,000 Toys for Toys for Tots
Thank you to everyone in Patriots’ Path Council who donated to the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. “Even though we were limited to only collecting at the Scout Shops this year, we collected the most toys ever,” said Linda Cummings, PPC community service chairperson. “In 2018 we collected 1,178 toys and in 2019
Be Sure to Designate a Primary Unit for Registration
A Reminder from Council Registrar Mike Wellech: As a reminder to everyone, you can register in as many traditional units as you’d like, but you only pay once, annually. As the volunteer participating in multiple units, it is your responsibility to communicate with each of your units your decision on which will be your primary
Camping Opportunities Available
With new changes to the New Jersey guidelines for social distancing, Patriots’ Path Council is proud to offer Scouts of all ages and their families the chance to return the outdoors. Winnebago Scout Reservation in Rockaway and Mt. Allamuchy Scout Reservation in Stanhope are excited to open their gates. To make reservations, please contact Curt
Transfers Can Now Be Completed Online
My.scouting.org users can now transfer from one Scout unit to another without having to take a new application into the council service center. On the “My Application” tab on my.scouting.org, you can transfer yourself as an adult volunteer or your youth member from unit to unit. Unit leaders will be able to transfer youth by
BSA Introduces Distinguished Conservation Service Award
Conservation and the Boy Scouts of America have been partners for a long time. Camping, hiking, and respect for the outdoors are a part of the Scouting heritage. Many of the requirements for advancement from Tenderfoot through the Eagle Scout rank call for an increasing awareness and understanding of the natural sciences. Many former Scouts
Changes to Scoutbook Login Take Effect
Effective October 28, 2020, Scoutbook now uses the same login and password as my.scouting.org. Here’s how to tell if you are set up for Single Sign On (SSO) login into Scoutbook: If you ARE NOT set up for SSO you will receive a banner that will tell you that you are not set up for
Online Registration Portal to Run Continuously
New members who apply online through the BeAScout.org website are normally charged the prorated fee from the current month through the end of the current year. And in the past, National would disable the “Apply Now” button in BeAScout.org in December to force new members to use paper applications, so they’re not lost in the
Training Offered for Youth Leaders
In response to the needs of youth leaders in troops and crews, Scouting U has released two new virtual training programs for Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST), and Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews (ILSC). These new temporary instructional training programs are available by logging onto https://my.scouting.org and launching the BSA Learn Center. When the Learn Center opens you
Invite New Members to Your Unit Via Virtual Recruitment
A step-by-step plan is now available to guide unit leaders through running a recruitment event virtually. For more information, click here.
Eagle Scout Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
The Patriots’ Path Council is proud and excited to announce the 2021 Eagle Scout Hall of Fame inductees! Congratulations to: Laurence T. Cleveland, Eagle Class 1984 Alvin and Andy Dietz, Eagle Class 1969 Joseph M. Fucito, Eagle Class 1974 David E. Setzer, Eagle Class 1950 Ernesto Soler, Eagle Class 1979 These six Eagle Scouts will be
BSA Membership Group on Facebook
A group of volunteers from New Jersey BSA councils has created this group on Facebook focused on membership growth. You can join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/802920240270209/?source_id=325959311231170. Please encourage other interested Scouters to join.
PPC Offers Historic Trails Hikes
Patriots’ Path Council has several historic trails within its council area that allow Scouts to explore New Jersey’s rich history. The historic trail hikes have options suitable for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA and Venture Scouts. Historic hikes not only give Scouts the opportunity to learn about the history of the area they are hiking, they
