The following items are newspaper articles and other pieces of publicity that our troop has been noted in.
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Ben Nienart’s Eagle Scout project helped save Wood Ducks nesting in Mercer and Somerset counties — and earned him Scouting’s prestigious Hornaday Environmental Award. Photo courtesy of Cynthia Nienart |
Ben Nienart - Hillsborough Beacon - Scout's project earns prestigious award
Benjamin Nienart, an Eagle Scout in Boy Scout Troop 1776, was awarded the prestigious Hornaday Environmental Award in April at the Patriot’s Path Council Executive session held at the Morris Police and Fire Academy.
The flag ceremony was opened by the Morris County Police Explorer Post #140. Dennis Kohl, Scout Executive and Linda Westenberger, Conservation Committee chairwoman, presented the award.
Ben completed two projects; his Eagle Project and a yearly clean up of the South Branch of the Raritan River. Ben also earned additional merit badges in the area of conservation above those required for his Eagle rank.
Ben’s Eagle Project was to help save local Wood Duck populations, a threatened species according to the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, by constructing and installing 20 Wood Duck nesting boxes in Mercer County and Colonial Park. Wood Ducks depend on forested wetland habitat and normally nest in fallen trees in marshy areas. Additional boxes were then requested by the Mercer County Park Naturalist for an eagle population. An additional box was modified for Hartwick College to use for a squirrel family.
Ben and his group of volunteers worked over 260 hours on the project. In addition to the individual Hornaday Award presented to Ben, a troop Hornaday Award was presented to Troop 1776, in recognition of the large percentage of the troop who assisted Ben with his project.
This awards program was created to recognize those that have made significant contributions to conservation. It was begun in 1914 by Dr. William T. Hornaday, director of the New York Zoological Park and founder of the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. The Hornaday Awards are highly prized by those who have received them. Approximately 1,100 medals have been awarded nationally over the past 80 years. These awards represent a substantial commitment of time and energy by individuals who have learned the meaning of a conservation/environmental ethic.
Mr. Kohl noted Ben’s award was only the second Hornaday Award in the last 10 years at Patriots’ Path Council.
"We are so excited to be able to present this award,” Ms. Westenberger. “We hope Ben’s achievement will inspire other scouts in our council to pursue this level of commitment to the principles of conservation that we promote through the Scouting program.”
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Troop 1776 Relay For Life 2010 team (from left to right) - Greg S., Cassidy S., Mr. Gerry Scillitani, Mr. Dave Frusco, Zach E., Thomas Z., Mr. Bob Paley, Sven J., Mrs. Lina Frusco, David F., Bradley G., Mrs. Pat Gluch, Mrs. Judy Zobele, and John Z. (also participated but not shown - Mrs. Allyson Scillitani, Mr. Joe Fullem, and Mr. Phil Hesse) |
Relay For Life May 14 and 15 2010
Once again this year, Troop 1776 participated in the American Cancer Society's local Relay for Life, which was held at Duke Island Park May 14-15. The relay is an overnight fund-raising and participatory event in which at least one person from each team walks the course at any given time, relaying right through the night. In addition, there was a survivors' tent, a long term Cancer Prevention Study (CPS-3) participation opportunity, and a luminary ceremony. In total there were over 70 teams, 600 participants, and $170,000 raised. This year Troop 1776 had over 15 members participating and raised over $2700, earning the bronze medal for fundraising. Team co-captain Thomas Z. commented "It really brings me solace to know I am supporting the great work that the American Cancer Society does in support of victims of cancer. I'm happy to demonstrate scout qualities of being helpful, friendly and kind in this wonderful event", Scillitani said. "Our team theme this year was 'Scout on a Mission'. And our mission this year was to do our best to support the quest for a cure for cancer. We raised more than twice our fundraising goal. Thanks to all who contributed their resources to this worthy cause."
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| Troop 1776 scouts with an Adult Leader watch a cannon being loaded at the artillery demonstration at the pilgrimage. | Group picture taken in front of the famous Pawlings sycamore tree that was growing when George Washington and his men camped at this site back in the winter of 1777-1778. Front row, left to right, Michael K., Chris M., Brandon B. (with event frisbee), Peter D. Back row, left to right, Bradley G., Matt S., Mark S. |
Troop 1776 spends President’s Day weekend at Valley Forge
In February, members of Boy Scout Troop 1776 attended the 97th annual Boy Scout Valley Forge Presidents Day Encampment.
This annual event commemorates the winter spent by George Washington's troops in 1778 in Valley Forge. The winter is noteworthy not so much for the suffering and disease of the ill-prepared troops, but for the training and discipline the troops received during that winter, courtesy of General Washington and Baron Von Steuben, a Prussian military officer who was put in charge of training the troops. The Continental Army emerged from the winter a credible fighting force, despite the hardships they faced.
The President’s Day Encampment is the longest running Boy Scout event in the country. Over 1300 scouts camped out in the snow, and another 800 spent only the day at the encampment. Some came from as far away as Texas and Ohio.
There was over three feet of snow on the ground and temperatures ranged from 10-25 degrees (above Fahrenheit). The boys went through a series of stations at which they learned about the way the troops lived, how they were trained, the role of Native Americans in the Revolution, weaponry, etc. There were also more modern activities, and the event was capped off by Troop 1776 scouts winning two pizzas in an outdoor challenge to carry a "spaceship" around a defined path without tilting it enough to cause the alarm to sound. All in all it was quite a learning experience for the scouts who participated!