Troop 89 Tribune

Troop 89, Hillsborough NJ

Troop 89 Website

troop89nj.org

April is always a fun month for troop 89, many interesting and exiting events have happened during this month, read all about the fun, interesting, and exiting experience for the scouts.

1. Vishnu B.'s insights to Eagle Projects
2. Mullica River Backpacking Trip by Yatharth G.
3. Scout experience by Iniyan R.
4. Scout Trivia by Darsh D.
5. Scout jokes by Darsh D.
6. Upcoming events

For many scouts, working on one’s Eagle Scout project is one of the most taxing, but rewarding experiences in their lives, and this was no different for me. Over the last few weeks, with the assistance of several scouts and adults, I started working on my Eagle Scout project to help my local heritage center, Chinmaya Ramdoot. My project was a conservation/beautification project where I planted different shrub and flower species, laid down irrigation piping and equipment, put in mulch, and laid down paver stones around the perimeter. However, much of the work in this project was far from just “getting to work” per se. From initially submitting my project proposal to measuring perimeters, purchasing materials, and properly budgeting, the planning phase took weeks. When I finally got started with the physical labor of the project, leading my fellow scouts and organizing my work sessions were really fulfilling in the leadership responsibilities they made me take on.

Over the long weeks and months that an Eagle project can take, using the resources available to me was critical and something I advise for all Scouts who not only want to start their own Eagle projects but for anyone who wants to do something they’ve never done before. For instance, my mentor Mr. Cincotta as well as my father were both instrumental in giving me advice from their work on past projects. Apart from asking around for advice, another lesson I’ve learned is that an Eagle project is supposed to make you take on more of the role of a leader or a project manager than anything else. Scouts should make sure to lead others in helping them with their project, rather than doing the majority of the physical labor themselves.

I hope to wrap up my project over the next few weeks (my next work session is on May 11th) and while this entire process has been a rollercoaster, it’s been a fulfilling journey filled with valuable lessons that I’ll carry along with me.

From April 5th to 7th, 2024, I led Troop 89 on a backpacking trip to Mullica River Campground. This was not your typical car camping trip. Instead, we had to carry all our gear for 12 miles! The scouts had to be careful and pack only what they needed. Some of them packed too much and regretted it later. During the trip, we ran out of drinking and cooking water, but we had a water filter pump that allowed us to get clean water. This turned out to be a great learning experience for everyone. Our campsites were conveniently located near a body of water, which gave us a beach-like experience. The weather was also perfect throughout the trip.

As the Wolves patrol leader, I found it challenging to cook without having a variety of equipment. I used a JetBoil to cook. At nighttime, Scouts got the opportunity to make fires for requirements. One scout made a great fire that grew huge, and he fed it until it became a campfire. When we were hiking back, we were determined to beat our time reaching the campsite and take fewer breaks. We succeeded, but when we got back at 2 PM, the Scouts were hungry. Luckily, the adults took us to Red Star Pizza, where we enjoyed Sicilian and pie pizzas.

Not only was the trip itself challenging, but the preparation it took to run the trip was immense. From distributing backpacking bags to weighing them, sending out countless info emails, a backpacking trip is hard to run. All in all, the backpacking trip was an enjoyable experience.

Hi my name is Iniyan! I joined in troop 89 in november of 2023. MY FIRST TRIP WAS days after I joined, and so the marvelous path started. The trip was 10 miles in one day! Me, Noah and Krishiv were playing catch with a box of raisins (until i got hungry!), but the day of the trip was disastrous. I got up at six to eat and after that it went down hill. We went and got tired. We took a shortcut and boom! We were back. I love to contribute to the community, and I absolutely love to help people. I love every wonderful scouts (like Noah Rambo). When I went to scout for the first time, everyone was helpful, kind, and lovely, and I loved their big hearts. I always want to go, and I never want to miss a day of scout. I was trying to launch a rocket, but it didn’t work. Then, Samarth and the scout leaders helped to quickly build another rocket, and they motivated me. They quickly helped me to build another rocket just in time. They never gave up on me, even though they had a time crunch. They always make my memories rememberable. Even though there is an age difference, everyone is very friendly and fun with me. I went to the Gettysburg trip, and I had so much fun with everyone. I never thought I could do 10 miles, and they pushed me past my boundaries, and they showed me what I am capable of. I am always excited to go to the scout meeting, and I love the scout’s spirits. Hari uncle is very funny (humourous), enthusiastic, friendly, and he always teaches a good lesson. Mr. Krishnamoorthi is always thinking in a different perspective, positive, kind, very open, and he is very expressive. He will never hide anything, and he is very honest. Mrs. Thompson is very positive, caring, makes sure everyone is following the rules, and she makes sure that everyone is learning. She also guides everybody. Everybody is always helpful, and resourceful. Mr. Nithin, is very kind, humorous, and very kid friendly. Ojas, Noah, Neevan, and Krishiv is very nice to me.

1. The “International Day of Scouting” is celebrated on February 22nd each year, commemorating Baden-Powell’s birthday.
   
2. In 1916, the BSA introduced the prestigious “Eagle Scout” rank, an accolade bestowed upon Scouts who demonstrated exceptional skill and leadership. Before that, the highest Scouting rank was only First Class.
   
3. The youngest boy scout to ever reach the rank of eagle was only 11 years old
4. President Theodore Roosevelt served as the BSA’s honorary president from 1910 to 1915.
   
5. Neil Armstrong, the first man to ever set foot on the moon, holds the impressive honor of being an Eagle Scout. His announcement, “The Eagle has landed,” wasn’t only referring to his spaceship! In the year 1969, Armstrong achieved another notable achievement by becoming the first Eagle Scout to be featured on a U.S. postage stamp.
   

1. A Boy Scout was walking around a pond when all of a sudden a frog jumped out in front of him and said, “Kiss me and I’ll turn into a beautiful princess!” The boy thought about it for a moment then picked the frog up, put it in his pocket, and continued walking. He heard the frog speak to him from his pocket:

• Frog: “Why won’t you kiss me?!”
• Boy Scout: “My troop will be much more interested in a talking frog than a princess!”

1. Swimming Merit Badge Session on May 4 and May 11th both 2-4pm.
2. Vishnu's final Eagle Project work session on May 11th, 1-5pm
3. Court of Honor, May 30th, in HES ( Recognition for Advancements, Merit Badges and Awards)
4. Service project led by Sahishnu, May 11th, 10-12 am
5. Memorial Day Service project led by Caleb,