Monmouth Battlefield Trip

Great trip to Monmouth Battlefield last weekend! Went on a short hike, played capture the flag and manhunt, had a big fire, and were visited by a Confederate soldier (yes, we know we were at a Revolutionary War battlefield… thanks Captain Dorrell for visiting!). Overall, great last camping trip for 2014, looking forward to many more in 2015!

Memorial Award Winner – Skippy

Each year, Troop 48 chooses a Scout or Scouts as the recipient of the Walter Kowalewski III and Andrew Baldyga Memorial Award. Walt and Andrew were each Scouts with Troop 48, and each died very young, Walt of cancer and Andrew during an accident while climbing. They each embraced the best that the troop had to offer from the brotherhood to the adventures, from the successes to the failures. Each year, we honor both of these fallen scouts as best we can by each year linking their names to other scouts in Troop 48 that wake each day exhibiting a scouting spirit that we can all try to live up to.

This year’s recipient is Bryan “Skippy” G. Congrats Skippy.

For the full story, please see the history section of our website.

Court of Honor

Took me a week to write this, but wow, what a way to celebrate 50 years! We had a huge turnout from both our current Scouting families and our past members, and the place was packed. The Scouts did a great job with running the ceremony, the slide show was as good as ever, and the 50 years of Troop 48 video came out far better than we had hoped (Note: Should soon be available for streaming on the website). Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to pull this thing together, whether it was picking up the PA system at my house, getting the advancements squared away, coordinating the food and pollyanna, or sewing badges on shirts. An especially big thanks to Dan Smith for putting 30 hours into creating the video in only about a week and half’s time span, and then missing the big night because of a group presentation for his college class (No word on the grade yet, but we suspect it was an A.)

We also need to stop and thank everyone who helped make the last 50 years possible, from the late Joe Derr and Joe Schaffer who founded Troop 48, to Gary Lake and his loyal band of adults who kept things going from the 80s through the turn of the century, to Chris Farrell for bridging the gap and pushing Troop 48’s adventure possibilities further than ever, to all of the alumni, parents, and leaders who got this thing back on track half a dozen years ago. Watch the video when it goes up, it pretty much says it all.

The biggest thank you goes to the last 50 years of Scouts who’ve called Troop 48 home. Without the Scouts, there would have been no adventures to go on and no stories to tell.

As Mr. Madden said at the close of the movie, “There have been a lot of great memories over the last fifty years. Tonight, we start making memories for the next fifty.”

Court of Honor and Troop 48 turns 50 years old!

Our Court of Honor and 50th Anniversary is only two days away!!!!

We’re having it at Holy Communion Church (that big building next to “the shed”). Set up starts at 6:30. Ceremony starts at 7!

Scouts –> Please wear “Class A” uniforms (tan shirt, purple kerchief,
nice pants [no jeans, but do NOT rush out and buy official Scout
pants. Whatever your son would wear to a nice dinner is fine], and
dress shoes or boots [no sneakers]). All Scouts will be recognized
for their achievements this year, all Scouts will have a
part in the ceremony, and we’re looking for a full house to celebrate
50 years.

Family is encouraged to attend to see their Scout’s be recognized for
their achievements!

In addition to the usual ceremony, we’ll have the first viewing of
Troop 48’s 50th Anniversary video and a slide show of the year’s
activities. All Scouts, leaders, and alumni who attend will receive
the special Troop 48 50th Anniversary patch!

Scout families are asked to bring a desert or “finger food” appetizer to share.

Scouts may bring a wrapped pollyanna gift (Cost limit – $10) if they
wish to take part in pollyanna!

Somerdale Yard Cleanup

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Somerdale yard cleanup yesterday! We figured it would be a 4 or 5 hour job, but with all the Scouts who showed up, it took us only 2 hours! The family was extremely appreciative of Troop 48 coming out to help. Great job guys!

Catholic Award for Scouting group forming!

Reverent (toward God). He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

Any Scout interested on earning the Catholic Award for Scouting should contact Assistant Scoutmaster Paul Purcell. We are forming a group to start the process in December. Meetings will be 3 times a month ending in mid-April. We plan to meet on Thursday evenings but will try to be flexible to accommodate your schedule.

There are 2 Awards available for Boy Scouts. The Ad Altare Dei is designed for 13-14 year old Scouts but older Scouts may earn the award. The Pope Pius XII is designed for 15-16 year old Scouts but may be earned to 18.

Please talk to either Lucas or Paul at a meeting or email Paul directly at ppurcell@amerihealthcaritas.com
Ad Altare Dei
http://nccs-bsa.org/images/AAD2.JPG
About the Emblem
The purpose of the Ad Altare Dei ( to the altar of God) program is to help Catholic Youth of the Roman Rite develop a fully Christian way of life in the faith community. The program is organized in chapters based on the seven sacraments. The seven Sacraments are a primary means toward spiritual growth.
Program Objectives
* The most important aspect of the program is that the Scout grows in his spiritual experience of his relationship to God and the church.

Pope Pius XII
http://nccs-bsa.org/images/PiusXII2.JPG
About the Emblem
* Pope Pius XII is Catholic Scouting’s church-related ministries and vocation program.
* The program deals with different life choices (single, married, religious, ordained), occupations and ministries in the church as calls from God.
* It includes youth led discussions on current issues facing the church and society, which are normally included as part of a Pius XII retreat or day of recollection.
Eligibility
* Registered Venture Crew Members and Boy Scout of Catholic Faith.
* Designed for age 15-16 year old, but all registered Venturers (male or female before their 21st birthday) and all registered Boy Scouts (in high school, before their 18th birthday) are eligible.