Janell Bunger-Spiecha, HAD District Commissioner and Chris Phelan, HAD District Chair presenting the First Place Trophy for Popcorn sales to Cub Scout, James G. of Pack 61 in Flemington. James sold $5,605 and Pack 61 came in 2nd overall in the Council selling over $41,475. Great Job James and Pack 61! | |
Orienteering with a Twist
April 25 to April 27
A fun weekend of camping and outdoor activities – going from point A to point B with some goals, scavenger hunts, quizzes, and scout skills needed along the way...bring your own compass to chart your path to scouting adventure.
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Registration fee:
$18/youth & adult April 12-18*
*No registrations after April 18 will be accepted.
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DISCOUNT DEADLINE
The deadline for discounted registration is April 30.
The Cub Scout camp discounted fee is $275 per youth. Starting May 1, the camp fee is $300. Parent/adult fee remains $90.
Cub Scout Adventure camp is the perfect opportunity to experience camping with your Cub Scout. The three-day, two-night camp provides an opportunity for Cub Scouts to participate in ten different program areas including: swimming, fishing, boating, archery, sling shots, BB guns, gaga ball, climbing tower, nature hike and more. The program is delivered by the Ockanickon camp staff.
Food in the air-conditioned dining hall, tents and cots are included. All you need to bring is your personal gear and Cub Scout!
For information contact Michelle Cathers
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Register today for the Council Spring Cubarama at Ockanickon Scout Reservation on May 3-4. This year's theme will be Medieval and feature 12 stations.
Troops, Crews, and Ships: we are currently looking for Unit volunteers to run stations at this event. This is a great way to get exposure for future Scout participants. If interested, please email District Executive Jason Ahing
Stations are assigned on a first come first serve basis, so reserve a station today!
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Prepared. For Life. Career Readiness
Scouting’s motto, “Be Prepared” applies not only to the outdoors, but also the changing career and college landscapes. This year’s Prepared. For Life. Career Readiness event returns to the Trenton Thunder Ballpark to once again help Scouts develop the skills needed to stand out when applying to schools, jobs, and internships.
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Just as in years past, there will be representatives from a wide variety of professions as well as experts in college admissions and resume writing. Speak with folks from the top of their field in content creation, STEM, government, law enforcement, small business, and more! Interested in participating as a business or professional? Click link below.
This year’s event is open to ALL HIGH SCHOOL-AGED Scouts regardless of rank. When registering, Scouts can enter up to 3 areas of interest so that they can be matched into applicable break out groups the day of the event.
Date: May 31
Time: 9am to 12pm
Location: Trenton Thunder Ballpark - 1 Thunder Road, Trenton, NJ 08611
| | Come join us at Ockanickon Scout Reservation, where adventure, growth, and lifelong friendships await! | | Welcome to Ockanickon Scout Reservation, nestled in the beautiful town of Pipersville, Pennsylvania! Established in 1941, Ockanickon Scout Reservation has become synonymous with adventure, character-building, and lifelong memories. Experience the magic of the outdoors and discover your true potential amidst the splendor of our remarkable wilderness. Surrounded by the picturesque landscapes of Bucks County, our 240-acre wooded haven offers a unique and immersive outdoor experience. From cooking and camping to swimming and canoeing, our expansive facilities cater to a wide array of merit badges, as well as a variety of other activities like volley ball tournaments and Leave No Trace Training! In addition to offering a range of diverse programs and activities, we strive to provide an inclusive and nurturing environment for scouts of all ages and backgrounds. Our commitment to scouting principles and the development of young leaders is at the core of everything we do. | | |
Scouting Adventure Con is aimed at helping units plan their next year of program. This event is a one-stop-shop to learn about programs happening throughout Washington Crossing Council in the year ahead. Every unit will want to send at least one adult leader to ensure your unit is informed on upcoming activities, and come away with a ton of great ideas for next year!
Scouting Adventure Con will be held at Bucks County Community College on Thursday, May 13. Booths will be open from 6pm-8:30pm, participants are free to come any time during the event.
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SAVE THE DATE! Registration opening soon... check here
On June 4, HAD will host our Annual Recognition Night.
Awards:
District Award of Merit, Scouter’s Key and Scouter’s Training Award, Den Leader Training Awards and Unit Leader of Merit.
There are also many district specific awards. HAD district specific award descriptions are listed below.
Deadline:
May 1 to submit nominations for awards to be presented on June 4.
Location:
Sauerland Outdoor Center
1124 Stanton Lebanon Rd, Lebanon, NJ 08833
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The 2025 Cub Scout Day Camp “Passport to Adventure” will be here before you know it! Registration is open! Do miss out on discounted rate ending April 30.
Below are the dates and locations of each camp:
Rosedale Park, Pennington, NJ:
July 7-11
Core Creek Park, Langhorne, PA:
July 14-18
Mercer County Park, West Windsor, NJ:
July 21-25
Ockanickon Scout Reservation, Pipersville, PA: Aug 4-8
Interested in volunteering for a week of camp? Contact: Kevin Ott
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A trained Den Leader is the key to retaining Cub Scouts in the program. To assist packs, the council’s training committee provides several different options for training including:
In-person pack visits
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Have a few leaders in your pack in need of training? The training committee has trainers who will come to your pack and provide Den Leader training. For more information email: John Nieradka
Regional Training Meetings
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The training committee will hold Den Leader training meetings Friday, April 25 and Friday, October 10 at Ockanickon Scout Reservation in Pipersville PA and Saturday, November 1 at Fisher Middle School in Ewing, NJ.
| | | HAD Volunteer Opportunities | |
- A committee is being formed to explore holding a "Cub Scout Camporee for 2026".
- A "Marketing/Community Outreach/Recruiting Task Force" is being formed to increase the visibility and reach of scouting within Hunterdon. If you have graphic design skills or a talent for sales and marketing, please consider sharing those skills with the district.
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"Cub Scout Day Camp 2026" will only happen if there are 2 people willing to volunteer as Camp Director and Program Director to run the event. Both positions require a time commitment for planning the week and attending a weekend of National Camp School. If both positions are not filled by August there will not be a HAD Cub Scout Day Camp 2026.
If you are interested in being involved in any of these projects, please contact Chris Phelan or Janell Bunger-Spiecha with your interest.
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A new Cub Scout pack is being formed in Annandale/Clinton Township. The charter organization will be the Annandale Reformed Church. This spring, leadership will be identified and early preparations will be made for a full-fledged start in the fall. The pack will be open to anyone with interest. The early organizers are part of the homeschool community and want to create a scouting opportunity for Scouts in diverse learning environments.
Please contact Pack456NJ@gmail.com with any questions.
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HAD has several Google Group communities used for communicating information to HAD Scouters.
If you want to be part of our google group communities use these links to sign up and be sure to answer the questions.
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Hershey Park discounted tickets!
Company code: WCC
Purchase by April 30
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SCOUT DAYS at the
PHILADELPHIA ZOO!
April 27 & May 24
Bring your Scouts to the Zoo for a day of animal adventures! Each ticket includes General Admission on your selected date, alongside access to the Amazon Rainforest Carousel, SEPTA PZ Express Kiddie Train, Wings of Asia, and our onsite Keeper Chats. Attraction availability may be subject to weather, capacity, mechanical, and/or animal-related issues. Attraction passes will be available for pick-up after check-in at North Gate (Main Entrance).
We require a minimum of one (1) chaperone per ten (10) Scouts. Scouts and their chaperones are encouraged to wear their uniforms to celebrate our Scouting Community.
If you have any questions, please contact Group Sales department
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The next roundtable will be on Wednesday, May 14, a virtual meeting. The topic will be "Yearly Unit Planning".
Do you have an idea or topic you would like to see at Roundtable next year? Please submit to Chris Phelan or Janell Bunger-Spiecha
| | From the Desk of our HAD Chair | | |
Dear Scouting Families, Leaders, and Supporters,
As Chair of the Hunterdon Arrowhead District Committee, I am proud to witness firsthand the incredible impact that Scouting has on the lives of our youth and the broader Hunterdon County community. From the trails, parks, and so many service projects that better our towns, our Packs and Troops are building future leaders who embody the values of character, citizenship, and service.
But here is the challenge: not enough people know about the good work we are doing. That is where you come in.
I am calling on all our Scouting families, leaders, alumni, and supporters to help us spread the word. Whether it is sharing your Scouting story on social media, inviting a friend to a troop meeting, or proudly wearing your uniform in the community, every small act helps grow awareness and appreciation for Scouting in Hunterdon County.
Here are a few ways you can answer the call:
- Post photos and stories from recent campouts, Pinewood Derbies, service projects, or community events, not just on unit social media, but your community sites as well.
- Invite local media to cover your unit’s activities and successes.
- Encourage families you know to come see what Scouting is all about—our doors are always open.
- Celebrate Eagle Scouts and other achievements with your networks, neighbors, and friends.
Together, we can ensure the message of Scouting—the message of leadership, teamwork, and doing a good turn daily—reaches every corner of our community.
Let us show Hunterdon County that Scouting is not just alive but thriving.
Yours in Scouting,
Christopher J. Phelan
Chair, Hunterdon Arrowhead District Committee
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Commissioner Meeting: April 28
HAD Annual Business Meeting: May 7
Roundtable: May 14
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