West Caldwell Boy Scouts Travel to Tomb of Unknown Soldier

Boy Scout Troop 9 spent a weekend in Washington, D.C., in April.

Boy Scout Troop 9 of West Caldwell traveled to Washington, D.C., in April to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The ceremony was the highlight of the Troop's weekend trip to the nation's Capitol. Pictured above placing the wreath are Boy Scouts Ronny Burgers and Dan Veltre. The West Caldwell Troop also visited the White House; Lincoln Memorial; Washington Monument; National World War II, Korean War Veterans and Vietnam Veterans memorials; Air and Space Museum; and took a tour of the Capitol. In addition, many of the scouts were able to complete some requirements for their Citizenship in the Nation merit badge. The trip was funded by the Troops annual Christmas tree lot sale in December.

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Bear Wins Pinewood Derby (Photos)

Cub Scouts from Pack 6 compete for title of Pack Champion.

Dozens of Cub Scouts from Pack 6 in Caldwell raced their Pinewood Derby cars for the title of Pack Champion Sunday.  After more than six hours of racing, the coveted title went to Auggie Rodrigues, a Bear from Den 8, who designed his car to look like a can of Coca-Cola. The scouts worked on their cars for several weeks before the derby. They carved a block of wood into the shapes of their choice, attached the wheels, as well as painted and embellished them. Designs varied from sleek race cars to ones inspired by an apple juice box and the Annoying Orange.  The cars were weighed—maximum weight allowed is 5 oz.—and turned in on the Wednesday before the race.  The Pinewood Derby was held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Roseland.  

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Troop 6 Scouts Earn Merit Badges, Move Up Ranks

More than 100 merit badges presented at biannual Court of Awards ceremony at St. Al's Church.

The Boy Scouts of Troop 6, Caldwell, held their biannual Court of Awards on Thursday, Oct. 11, at St. Aloysius Church, Caldwell. During the formal ceremony, nearly 30 scouts earned more than 100 merit badges that ranged from fishing to chess, wood carving to swimming. In addition, the Troop celebrated the advancement of nine scouts to ranks from Tenderfoot to Life Scout, and acknowledged four scouts who completed a mile-swim event this summer.  “The ceremony acknowledges the achievements of the scouts and symbolized the hard work and effort it requires to complete the merit badges,” Scout Master Stan Rogacki stated in a release. “Several of the badges, including Community in the Nation and Community in the World require at least three …

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PHOTOS: Scouts Attend Annual Yukon Challenge

Event part of transition from Cub Scout to Boy Scout.

The Boy Scouts of Troop 6 welcomed Cub Scouts from throughout Caldwell, West Caldwell, North Caldwell, Roseland and Essex Fells recently to the annual Yukon Challenge, an outdoor event dedicated to basic Boy Scout skills and training. Nearly 30 scouts attended the full-day adventure on Saturday, Jan. 7, learning first aid, fire building, tent building and knot-tying skills, as well as receiving a refresher course on how to fold the American flag. Designed to make the transition from Weblos Scout to Boy Scout an easy one, the Weblos, typically fifth graders, advance to Boy Scouts in the early spring. For more information on scouting and the Boy Scouts of Troop 6, visit the website  or e-mail Troop 6.

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