Haddonfield’s Boy Scout Troop 65 celebrated its 75th Anniversary on May 30, at the Haddonfield United Methodist Church, which has been the Troop’s sponsor since 1934. The dinner celebration was attended by more than 170 individuals including Eagle Scouts, current Boy Scouts, and their families, as well as Mayor Tish Colombi and Commissioners Edward Borden and Jeffrey Kasko. The event hosted 28 Eagle Scouts who reminisced about their adventures and friends in Troop 65. All who attended enjoyed the opportunity to review the Troop’s historical collection of memorabilia and photographs documenting 50 years worth of outdoor adventures, which included long treks in Canada and New Mexico, white water rafting in West Virginia, and countless weekend hikes and campouts in the Appalachian Mountains and other nearby destinations. The 75th Anniversary was also commemorated in proclamations received from state and local officials. Troop 65 currently has more than 50 Scouts between the ages of 11 and 17.
The Troop was able to achieve this significant milestone because its sponsor, the Borough, and Scouting families and volunteers provided a unique combination of community service opportunities, outdoor adventures, and leadership training throughout the Troop’s history, particularly in more recent decades. Over the years, hundreds of boys in Troop 65 have had the opportunity for personal growth in the diverse areas of leadership, community service, physical fitness, moral values, and outdoor skills. In addition, Scouting offers more than 120 merit badge activities in which Scouts develop their knowledge and skills in a variety of interests, many of which have led to career choices for the Scouts.
One aspect of Troop 65 has remained the same: ‘The Scout Room’ at the Haddonfield United Methodist Church, where the Scouts have met weekly for many years hasn’t been renovated in more than 50 years. In appreciation for the Church’s sponsorship, the Troop is initiating a fundraiser to renovate the room. Anyone wishing to contribute to the fundraiser can make a check payable to TROOP 65, c/o John Otto, 60 Trueman Avenue, Haddonfield, NJ 08033. A plaque will be engraved and displayed in the Scout Room for those donating at the $1000 Eagle, $500 Gold, $200 Silver or $50 Bronze levels. Donations in any amount are welcomed.
For further information related to this release, contact: John Ruggero, Troop Committee Chairman, at 428–1749.
