BSA Troop 200 Newsfeed

Troop 200 helps our soldiers with 'Operation: Ben's Men'

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:33:40 EDT

Once a Troop 200 Scout -- ALWAYS a Troop 200 Scout! That's the motto that Troop 200 lived when the boys learned that one of their Eagle Scouts, Marine Second Lieutenant Ben Royal, was looking for items for his platoon -- items that are hard to get while deployed.

Organized by Life Scout Matthew M., Troop 200 Scouts gathered items for "Ben's Men," including bug spray, blister care, deodorant, soap, lip balm, razors, batteries, pencils, paper, band-aids, gum, cookies, cereal, fruit, balls, socks, gloves, mittens and hats during an April troop meeting. Enough items were gathered to fill forty-five personal
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Interactive Troop Merit Badge Library Spreadsheet now online!

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:21:25 EST

Troop Librarian James L. has created an electronic spreadsheet containing a listing of all the Troop's Merit Badge Books. Even better, the spreadsheet has links that connect to the current badge requirements, plus additional resources like worksheets and other information. Just click on a Merit Badge's name and the Scout will be taken directly to that badge's listing on the U.S. Scouting Service Project website, one of the best-maintained Scouting sites around. That follows a tradition started by former Troop Librarian James Riccardi, who introduced the feature several years ago.

In addition to building the spreadsheet, James L. researched
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Ready to hit the Trail to Eagle? Step one is to check out our resource center!

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:58:42 EDT

Earning Eagle isn't easy -- heck, only about 1 in 100 Scouts does it. But it's not impossible and there are places to look for help and information. Our "Trail to Eagle Resource" page cuts through the confusion and puts lots of resources at your fingertips.

You'll find things like our Troop 200 Eagle Flow chart that shows you every step along the Trail (in order, no less!) Plus, your Eagle Application, Workbook, Council's Eagle Guide and more. There's even a link to tips from the Registrar about how to make sure incorrect paperwork doesn't trip you
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Lenape chief to speak at local dedications honoring Native American villages

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 09:34:47 EDT

Two plaques honoring the Lenape Native American Tribe will be dedicated on Friday, July 8th in Hunterdon and Warren counties, according to an article in the Hunterdon Democrat. Chief Patrick Waddilove of the Munsee Delaware Nation of Ontario, Canada will be the keynote speaker.

The Lenape lived in this area for generations, and a great deal of the traditions of the Order of the Arrow are based on the Tribe and its customs.

"Chief Patrick Waddilove of the Munsee Delaware Nation of Ontario, Canada will be the keynote speaker" according to the article. "His nation includes the descendents of
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Fleet Week pictures now online

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:42:44 EDT

The Troop visited New York for this year's Fleet Week, thanks to Naval Reserve Officer Commander Schaible. The Scouts had great access to some very cool ships and got to meet some of the heroes who serve in our Armed Forces. Here's a Trip Report from Mrs. Trontell:

Thanks to Commander Schaible, Troop 200 Scouts, families and friends had a grand time touring the USS Iwo Jima and Coast Guard Cutter Willow, both active ships, during Fleet Week 2011. All had a fantastic time touring the ships and riding a flight simulator! Eagle Scouts now in the Coast Guard, Navy and Marines helped make the day super special by giving our party extra attention. The best part was seeing all those sailors and marines salute Commander Schaible, one of our own Troop 200 Scouters.

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White water rafting Trip Report

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:23:10 EDT

Troop 200 had a great trip white water rafting trip in the Lehigh River Gorge. Here's the Trip Report from Mrs. Trontell:

The rainy forecast did not stop Troop 200 from having a blast white water rafting on June 11, 2011. While braving Class 2 rapids in the Lehigh River Gorge, scouts, scouters, and family members took in breathtaking scenery, and floated beneath birds of prey as eagles and osprey soared above. They also had a great deal of fun splashing each other and dodging boulders.

An album of pictures from the trip are available on the Troop Photo
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Help at Immaculate Conception Church Festival

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 09:46:21 EDT

Our chartering organization has requested assistance in the unloading of the trailers and some set up June 16 at 5:00 pm. There will be one more evening that week setting up tables and chairs also -- the time to follow.

Please contact Mr. Bussell ASAP so he can give a count to ICC and K of C.
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NPR article describes 'Robotics' -- the newest BSA Merit Badge

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 20:59:06 EDT

NPR has a feature story about the newest Merit Badge -- Robotics:

Can a robot pitch a tent? If so, a Boy Scout who builds one might be able to earn two merit badges at once.

The Boy Scouts of America, which offers more than 120 badges ranging from archery to wilderness survival, next week will unveil a robotics merit badge meant to promote science, technology, engineering and math, fields collectively known as STEM. In doing so, the 101-year-old Texas-based organization is trying to remain relevant and better reflect boys' interests, said Matt Myers, who oversees the Boy Scouts' STEM initiative.

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Trip Report: Back-to-Basics 2011

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 10:17:11 EDT

Troop 200's newest Scouts are off to a great start thanks to a terrific team of Scout instructors who taught important Scout skills and provided guidance in everything from setting up tents to making it through a first night away from home. Mr. Lawrence prepared this trip report for what was by all accounts a great experience for all involved:

We had a great weekend campout (much warmer than last weekend!) where 17 Scouts went on their first Troop 200 campout!

PLUS we had 18 other scouts either looking for advancement or helping out with the various requirement stations.

We started the day early at 7am leaving from IC parking lot with more boys than we had seats in cars. THANK YOU to Mrs. Gibbons and Mr. Bragin for volunteering at the last minute to drive some boys up to Yards Creek.

We drove to Yards Creek Scout Reservation and stayed at the large VERMONT campsite.

After a backpack inspection where the boys proved they were prepared for the weekend, the boy leaders taught them how to set up the troop tents. Then while the boy leaders organized their stations, the adult leaders took the boys on a hike to get their water bottles filled and see some of the sights of Yards Creek like the chapel. Along the way, we identified 10 plants and 10 signs of wildlife.

The boys spend the rest of the morning and all afternoon working in the ax yard, learning map reading, first aid, firebuildng, knots and having a flag ceremony. Right before dinner, we hiked up the mountain to see the abandoned "hermit house" and learn the legend of the hermit gold!

Dinner involved pork tenderloin and baked potatoes for the Geezer Patrol (thanks Mr. Garanzini) while the Scouts mastered the art of tin foil cookery. For dessert, I made two large portions of Apple Crisp in Dutch ovens (one Scout described the flavor of the apple crisp as "going to heaven with every bite.") We had a "thorns and roses" session around the campfire and the boys were in their tents by about 10pm.

The boys had a 6:30am wake up and learned to back their gear and take down their tents BEFORE they could cook breakfast. Soon we had omelets, chocolate chip pancakes, pork roll, bacon and pop tarts filling hungry bellies. By 10am, we were packed and ready to go.

Some things we learned this weekend:
Your water bottle does not need to go in the refrigerator the night before a campout where you will forget it.
Do not let your spouse move half of the patrol's food to another refrigerator where you will forget it
Fill up your water bottles at home so you don't have to drink water that tastes like sulfur.
PLEASE let your son pack his OWN backpack. That is the ONLY way he will learn and become independent.
Please don't give your son a large Hersey bar and starburst for the weekend. We will have plenty of food for him.
The more you pack into a tin foil packet, the longer it will take to cook.
The proper way to fold a tin foil packet so your dinner does not end up directly on the coals.
If you have a jacket with 37 pockets, check EVERY one before announcing that your cell phone is lost.
With 35 Scouts, logistics is a KEY factor. Drivers, tents, and even charcoal have to be SUPERSIZED.
Thanks to our Senior Patrol Leader, Joey L. and the rest of the Scouts who ran the advancement stations: James L., Aaron W., Alex G., Nick B., Kyle B. and Noah P.

Troop 200 continues to be on the move with our third campout in three weeks as next weekend we are in Six Flags for a Scout weekend.

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A Scout is Helpful: Scouts move to help in Japan relief effort; you can too!

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 08:36:02 EDT

Want to know how you can help in the recovery and relief efforts following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan? The BSA has prepared an alert page with information and links for reputable charitable organizations to are aiding in the effort. A Scout is helpful!

Here's some of the information from the BSA:

The international leadership of the Scout Association of Japan has asked the BSA not to try to raise money at this time. However, our BSA members are a giving people, and many of us still wish to reach out with some sort of assistance. This defines who we are!

Scouts across the globe know that doing a Good Turn without being asked is something we all learned from our time in Scouting. It was one of Baden-Powell's visions, and we have an opportunity now to do a Good Turn for the SAJ. I hope you'll join us.

To make a financial contribution to assist with disaster relief, we encourage you to make such a gift to one of the following agencies, asking that your gift be used specifically to support the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan:
The Red Cross
The Salvation Army

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