(above) Scout Miles Murphy completing a service project at Nomahegan Park
Keep Calm and Scout On… From a Distance
Submitted by Cady Kaneko
The boy scouts of Cranford’s Troop 80 will not let a virus stop them from doing what needs to get done. Check out their latest accomplishments. Merit badges during a pandemic? No problem, keep in mind all of this was accomplished virtually! An overwhelming 45 scouts participated in the Citizenship of the Community merit badge (Eagle required badge) led by our very own Mayor Patrick Giblin. Scouts were required to discuss what it means to be an asset to their local community by identifying critical frontline necessities – fire/police stations and nearest hospitals, attending a town or school board meeting, identify charitable organizations outside of scouting and also prepare a public presentation about the unique qualities we have here in Cranford.
An elite group of scouts were able to earn their Emergency Preparedness merit badge (Eagle required badge) which is only open to those who have completed the daunting First Aid merit badge. In this requirement scouts must be able to explain and demonstrate their response and recovery to disastrous emergencies, for example: kitchen fire, auto explosion, food-borne disease, earthquake/tsunami, gas leak, tornado/hurricane, flash flooding, toxic spills, nuclear power plant emergency, and violence in a public place, just to name a few. Scouts must also take part in an emergency service project with a scouting unit and the necessary preparations required for crowd/traffic control, collection and distribution of goods and services, and sanitary food and shelter locations.
This was also a good time to take advantage of our “slow-down” and pay attention to our best friends… the Pets merit badge. Showing our love and care for the pets in our households and demonstrating the local laws involved in keeping a pet. Young pet owners also had to submit a report on the necessary vaccinations and check-ups required for ownership.
While we were in the midst of our Covid-19 mayhem, for a limited edition special offer, Troop 80 participated in a Social Distancing badge (not a real badge but scouts do have fun!). Let your imagination run wild on this one but think along the lines of “What is first aid for irritability, lethargy, weight gain?” or “What sports do we miss watching most?” and “Teach your technology-challenged parents how to Zoom!”
Speaking of Zoom, aka the new way of socializing, scouts stayed in touch and even held a scout troop meeting! We were able to have a few Troop 80 meetings with scheduled time slots so scouts could connect and see each other according to their age group. It was refreshing to put a face to an email!
What is scouting without camping? Troop 80 announced Virtual Camping Nights! Our fearless and ever creative troop leaders have dedicated 2 weekends for scout families to camp in their own backyards. Scouts were required to set up their own tents (tents were provided for those without), prepare a meal for their family (prepared in kitchen or grill), prepare a fire (firepit, indoor, friend/neighbor/relative) and I’m sure there was some bug repellant involved!
We also had some Eagle projects going on around town so stay tuned for good happenings with Troop 80 of Cranford!
(above) Scout Luke Tadros backyard camping
(above) Scout Miles Murphy backyard camping
