Founded in 1926, Haddonfield Troop 3064 has worked to positively impact Haddonfield and the surrounding communities.
Scoutmaster Kevin Zelinsky’s hope for all of his Scouts is that they will be a better person tomorrow than they are today, and by the looks of it, they have fullfilled that goal.
Founded in 1926, Haddonfield Troop 3064 has worked to positively impact Haddonfield and the surrounding communities. Whether it is helping at some of the borough’s iconic events such as the Mayor’s Breakfast, participating in the Pasta Bowl, a fundraiser at Christ the King or participating in projects throughout Camden County, the troop is always ready to assist.
Although the troop stays heavily involved in and around the community, it does not deter the Scouts from achieving their goals. Since 2010, 12 boys have been recognized as Eagle Scouts, and in the next year, Zelinsky expects another seven will emerge as leaders in the community from Troop 3064. Before a Scout can become an Eagle, he must invest in his own personal project to make his town or surrounding community a better place.
Eagle projects benefit either parishes, school properties or the community, sometimes all three, and have a conservation component that involves the rehabilitation and revitalization to community parks, playgrounds and more, according to Zelinsky.
Zelinsky’s son, Collin, who prior to becoming an Eagle Scout was a member Troop 3064, revitalized Christ the King Elementary School’s playground in Haddonfield four years ago. Before, the playground was in an unfavorable state, with the mulch depleted and the park benches broken or missing, and most of the playground presenting safety hazards. After proposing his Eagle Scout project plan to the principal of the school, he began. Collin removed tires, cleaned up equipment, built and installed four park benches and re-mulched.
“It not only helped the school, it helped the church and it helped the community,” Zelinsky said. “That was a great project.”
The most recent Eagle Scout revitalized the garden and made an outdoor classroom at the Holy Savior Church in Camden.
“Going for your Eagle is a lot of work,” Zelinsky added.
Life Scout Declan Carthy, 16, who has been with the troop for a decade, is working toward becoming an Eagle Scout where he will need 21 merit badges, 11 of which are specialized, then come up with a final project before achieving the title of Eagle Scout, he said.
‘’I have learned a lot,’’ Carthy said. “Responsibility is one of the biggest things I learned by being in the Boy Scouts. A few other big things are teamwork and leadership.’’
Carthy enjoys being able to work with the younger Scouts and foster friendships along the way.
“You get lots of opportunities to learn and have fun all at the time,’’ Carthy said.
The troop has been successful in inspiring youth to be self-sufficient and work together to make the world a better place.
“We have been successful because we have activities the boys are interested in, which keeps them coming back,’’ Assistant Scoutmaster and Treasurer Greg King said.
In his positions for three years, King said he has always been an involved parent with the troop and believes the Scouts in the troop learn skills they otherwise may not learn.
“It teaches responsibility in all facets,” King explained.
“I think the boys learn a lot about leadership and that helps boys grow up. It exposes them to new challenges and situations,” Committee Advancement Chair and Committee Member Owen Edmonston said.
Edmonston said the Scouts get to experience an environment away from their parents, which cultivates maturity.
All those 11 through 17 who are interested in joining Troop 3064 are encouraged to attend the weekly Monday meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Haddonfield, or email Zelinsky at [email protected].
