East Hanover Celebrates 80 Years of Scouting History By Heading Into the Future
Sep 15, 2022 03:57AM ● By Steve Sears
Maybe the true meaning of being a Cub Scout and Boy Scout is summed up best by someone who has worn the uniforms. “I started my Scouting career in 1992 with what was then Troop 20 in East Hanover,” says Rob Carpenter, Cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 20 of East Hanover. “We took pride in being an active troop. By that, I mean that we had weekly meetings and monthly camping trips. Many troops do not have as many opportunities. In Scouting, one can learn a variety of leadership and outdoor skills at the weekly meetings, and work on planning the next camping trip. We had many great camping trips, which included hikes, canoeing, ice fishing, whitewater rafting, and summer camp. I eventually achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. I am very happy to be able to give back to Scouting, by being an adult leader and guiding today's youth.” Scouting in East Hanover started in 1942, and both Pack 20 and Boy Scout Troop 128 are seeking to and are learning more about the past 80 year history, as well as celebrating it. Carpenter provides the details. “On September 17th, we are hoping to have our kickoff event at Lurker Park. This is an open house event where anyone can come check us out and see what Scouting is all about. We are attending a camporee in October: this is an event where Packs from around the area come together at a camp and go through different activity stations, such as row boats, fishing, bb guns, archery, stomp rockets, and more. There is the option to camp over, so of course we need to have a campfire and s'mores! Other activities throughout the year include Pack activities like a Pinewood Derby - a fan favorite, a Recycling Regatta, where kids build a wind-powered boat out of trash and race it), visits to our Police and Fire Departments, and our end-of-year awards ceremony.” Pack 20 and Troop 128 both fall under the Boy Scouts of America program. Cub Scouts members are in grades K-5, and the Scouts BSA are in the age group of 11-17. In 2021, the Cub Scout Pack 20 formed its first Girl's Den. Carpenter explains more about the program, as well as his personal involvement. “Pack 20 is organized by ‘Dens’ which are each grade level K-5. Our Dens combine to form the ‘Pack’. Den Leaders run their dens, while I run the Pack. I started with the Cub Scouts in 2019 as a Den Leader when my son joined the Pack. After two years as Den Leader, I became Cubmaster when the previous one moved on to the Scouts BSA program. This will be my second year as Cubmaster.” Cub Scout Pack 20 members have a set of requirements they need to complete to earn their rank badge. The requirements focus on things like teamwork, service to the community, healthy eating, exercising, and outdoor skills. They are always looking to do more. “We are always looking for new ideas and activities to keep Scouting fresh and exciting,” says Carpenter. “We have a committee that meets monthly and helps plan our activities. These are parent volunteers and without them, I'd be in over my head! They bring some great ideas to the table. Last year, our big trip was Operation Slumber, where we got to sleep over on the U.S.S. Intrepid in New York City.” One of the things that Scouting in East Hanover prides itself on is giving back to the community. “We participate in toy drives, food drives, and collect donations for our service men and women who are stationed overseas,” says Carpenter. “We teach our Scouts to be courteous and kind as they learn to be our future leaders. By instilling the Scouting principles in them and learning life-long skills, we hope they become well-rounded adults who can lead their generation. We would love to see them give back to Scouting as adults so the cycle can continue.” And Carpenter and the other adults who aid in the East Hanover scouting program would like to see it, and Scouting itself, flourish. New members are always welcome as the next 80 years begins. “Come to Lurker Park on Saturday, September 17th and meet our Scouts!” encourages Carpenter. “Or check us out on Facebook (@ehcubscouts) and our website (www.ehcubscouts.org). If you can't make it but are interested in joining, email me at [email protected] and I can answer any questions.”
Maybe the true meaning of being a Cub Scout and Boy Scout is summed up best by someone who has worn the uniforms.
“I started my Scouting career in 1992 with what was then Troop 20 in East Hanover,” says Rob Carpenter, Cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 20 of East Hanover. “We took pride in being an active troop. By that, I mean that we had weekly meetings and monthly camping trips. Many troops do not have as many opportunities. In Scouting, one can learn a variety of leadership and outdoor skills at the weekly meetings, and work on planning the next camping trip. We had many great camping trips, which included hikes, canoeing, ice fishing, whitewater rafting, and summer camp. I eventually achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. I am very happy to be able to give back to Scouting, by being an adult leader and guiding today's youth.”
Scouting in East Hanover started in 1942, and both Pack 20 and Boy Scout Troop 128 are seeking to and are learning more about the past 80 year history, as well as celebrating it. Carpenter provides the details. “On September 17th, we are hoping to have our kickoff event at Lurker Park. This is an open house event where anyone can come check us out and see what Scouting is all about. We are attending a camporee in October: this is an event where Packs from around the area come together at a camp and go through different activity stations, such as row boats, fishing, bb guns, archery, stomp rockets, and more. There is the option to camp over, so of course we need to have a campfire and s'mores! Other activities throughout the year include Pack activities like a Pinewood Derby - a fan favorite, a Recycling Regatta, where kids build a wind-powered boat out of trash and race it), visits to our Police and Fire Departments, and our end-of-year awards ceremony.”
Pack 20 and Troop 128 both fall under the Boy Scouts of America program. Cub Scouts members are in grades K-5, and the Scouts BSA are in the age group of 11-17. In 2021, the Cub Scout Pack 20 formed its first Girl's Den. Carpenter explains more about the program, as well as his personal involvement. “Pack 20 is organized by ‘Dens’ which are each grade level K-5. Our Dens combine to form the ‘Pack’. Den Leaders run their dens, while I run the Pack. I started with the Cub Scouts in 2019 as a Den Leader when my son joined the Pack. After two years as Den Leader, I became Cubmaster when the previous one moved on to the Scouts BSA program. This will be my second year as Cubmaster.”
Cub Scout Pack 20 members have a set of requirements they need to complete to earn their rank badge. The requirements focus on things like teamwork, service to the community, healthy eating, exercising, and outdoor skills. They are always looking to do more. “We are always looking for new ideas and activities to keep Scouting fresh and exciting,” says Carpenter. “We have a committee that meets monthly and helps plan our activities. These are parent volunteers and without them, I'd be in over my head! They bring some great ideas to the table. Last year, our big trip was Operation Slumber, where we got to sleep over on the U.S.S. Intrepid in New York City.”
One of the things that Scouting in East Hanover prides itself on is giving back to the community. “We participate in toy drives, food drives, and collect donations for our service men and women who are stationed overseas,” says Carpenter. “We teach our Scouts to be courteous and kind as they learn to be our future leaders. By instilling the Scouting principles in them and learning life-long skills, we hope they become well-rounded adults who can lead their generation. We would love to see them give back to Scouting as adults so the cycle can continue.”
And Carpenter and the other adults who aid in the East Hanover scouting program would like to see it, and Scouting itself, flourish. New members are always welcome as the next 80 years begins. “Come to Lurker Park on Saturday, September 17th and meet our Scouts!” encourages Carpenter. “Or check us out on Facebook (@ehcubscouts) and our website (www.ehcubscouts.org). If you can't make it but are interested in joining, email me at [email protected] and I can answer any questions.”
