Troop 368 Serves Community and Develops Leaders
Submitted by Amy Nicole Naim
Despite a rough year of partial remote schooling and navigating their way back to a more “normal” life, Berkeley Heights Boy Scout Troop 368 continued to do what they do best – serve their community and make an impact, all while further developing their own skills and connecting with their fellow scouts and scout leaders.
“Despite the challenges of the past year, the boys stepped up and adapted to the changes by continuing to be active whether it was meeting virtually or in small groups.” said Maggie Gleeson, Troop Committee Chair.
“They continued to develop leadership skills at meetings and camping trips, to work on advancement and merit badges, and to find ways to volunteer within the community. Covid 19 definitely did not stop these boys from growing, connecting, and serving our community…we even had 5 Scouts complete their Eagle project this past year!”
Service Projects completed this past year include a leaf clean up at a Berkeley Heights’ family home of the Fennell’s, who had sons in Troop 368. Mr. Fennell suffered a stroke in the Spring of 2020 making activity limited, so the Troop stepped up to help the family with their Fall leaf cleanup.
In January, the Troop reached out to the Berkeley Heights community for donations to the St. John’s Food drive and delivered five full car loads of food and necessities to the St. John’s soup kitchen which has been helping to feed the hungry in Newark, NJ for 40 years.
In February, the Troop banded together to shovel the Watchung Amphitheater allowing the Watchung Reservation to hold outdoor classes and activities which they had not been able to run due to the large amount of snow.
On Sunday, May 16 the Troop participated in the joint Passaic River trail clean up event hosted by The Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission, in partnership with the Union County Parks & Recreation Department where they collected large piles of glass and other debris.
Eagle projects (needed to accomplish the highest Scout rank of Eagle), which the scout leads and enlists his fellow scouts for help, included the following;
Mitch Szalus – Mountain Park Elementary School erosion prevention – His project was to build a flower bed area near the riverside fence to prevent erosion into the waterway. He also built fences and picnic tables.
Connor Splaine – Free Acres Farmhouse Outdoor Beatification – His project was to refurbish the old park benches at Free Acres and to replace/refurbish basketball backboards.
Duncan Campbell – Mountain Park Elementary School Blacktop – His project added picnic tables and a tether ball court to the blacktop area. He also repainted the basketball and kickball courts.
Troop activities included a camping trip to Camp Minsi in the Poconos where they went fishing and canoeing, a bike riding outing where the scouts fished and then got a tour of the Untied Brewing company, learning how they make root beer. And in March, the Troop went rappelling at Allamuchy Mountain State Park.
In June the Troop attended the Annual World War II Warbirds Air Show at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, PA, and celebrated their well-earned achievements at their Court of Honor Ceremony held June 17. Scouts will continue to work on earning badges and having fun this summer at various Scouting Camps.
For more information on Troop 368, please go to bhtroop368.com.
