STAY INFORMED

HUNTERDON ARROWHEAD DISTRICT EXECUTIVE

We are pleased to announce Alice Hillary has joined Washington Crossing Council as the District Executive for the Hunterdon Arrowhead District.

Alice brings both a strong professional background and a deep connection to Scouting. She has been an active volunteer within the Mercer Area District, where she has served in a variety of key roles including Pack Committee Chair, Troop Committee Member, District Membership Chair, District Popcorn Kernel, District Advancement Committee Member, and Proud Scout Parent. Her hands-on experience gives her a well-rounded understanding of the Scouting program and the volunteers who make it possible.

Professionally, Alice has held leadership positions with SAP, John Wiley & Sons, and McGraw-Hill, where she led large-scale system implementations, global sourcing initiatives, and business process improvements impacting teams around the world. A continuous learner and strategic coach, Alice holds a B.S. in Business with a concentration in Global Business Management from the University of Phoenix and a certification in Generative AI for Business from Cornell University.

We are thrilled to have Alice join our team. Her leadership experience, professional expertise, and passion for Scouting will help strengthen our relationships and service to the units and volunteers across the Hunterdon Arrowhead District.

Please join us in welcoming Alice to Washington Crossing Council.

"CAMP SKIPPY"

Over 70 AOLs and Webelos Scouts from 13 different Packs — representing all four WCC districts — had a blast at Camp Skippy, our annual AOL/Webelos Weekend!

Scouts learned about the Patrol Method, elected patrol leaders, and created their own patrol yells! They also practiced rifle safety and shot BBs at the range. Additional activities included knife safety, fire building, knot tying, first aid, and sportsmanship. Many Arrow of Light and Webelos rank requirements were completed — all while having tons of FUN!

Saturday evening was packed with excitement, featuring a hayride, two campfires, and plenty of ice cream!

We can’t wait to see you at next year’s Camp Skippy on October 24–25, 2026!

2025 UNIVERSITY of SCOUTING – A Huge Success!

Scouters from across Washington Crossing Council gathered Saturday for a full day of learning, sharing, and fun at University of Scouting!

From paracord crafts to Cooking for Cubs and Beyond Dutch Ovens, our incredible instructors and engaged participants made this year’s event one to remember.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to grow their skills and strengthen the Scouting program for youth across our council.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Time to Renew for the Next Scouting Year!

It’s renewal season! Make sure your families log in and get their Scouts—and themselves—renewed for another great year of adventure.

Renewing on time ensures every Scout stays covered by Scouting insurance and is eligible for advancement and upcoming activities. Don’t wait—take a few minutes today to make sure your unit is ready to go strong into the new year!

OSR THANKSGIVING DINNER

This event will feel like gathering at grandma’s house! Everyone brings their specialty dish to share at one big dinner table.

• A full day of cooking, fun, and spending time together.
• Picnic tables will be set-up in the center of the field so we can all sit down for dinner at the same time.

Lets cook over wood fires raised off the ground—this way we protect the site, make cleanup simple, and leave no trace.

If there is enough interest, we may even be able to put together a special event patch!

Dates: November 21–23

Location: Ockanickon Scout Reservation

Registration fee: $20 per person (no late fee)

If interested, please reach out to DJ Lapczynski or Alex Fritz

PINEWOOD DERBY

Start Your Engines! Pinewood Derby Car Kits Are Here!

It’s that exciting time of year again—Pinewood Derby season! Packs can now pick up their official Pinewood Derby car kits at the Council Scout Shop so their Cub Scouts can start designing their winning creations.

Each kit includes everything you need to get started: a wooden block, wheels, and axles—ready for your Cub Scout’s creativity, craftsmanship, and competitive spirit. Whether you’re planning to build a sleek speedster or a wild themed racer, now’s the perfect time to grab your kit and start shaping your design.

Don’t wait until the last minute—supplies go fast! Stop by the Scout Shop today to get your Pinewood Derby car kit and join the fun of one of Scouting’s most beloved traditions.

Price: $6.99

Bulk purchase of 12 or more $5.99 each

Visit our Council website for Scout Shop hours.

RANGE & TARGET ACTIVITIES

Throughout the year, the Council Range & Target Committee offers several different activities for Cub Scouts. For all activities, an adult is required to be present to satisfy the 1-to-1 adult participant ratio.

BB Gun Adventure

December 7

2026 CUB SCOUT DAY CAMP

The 2026 Cub Scout Day Camp “Dinotopia” will be here before you know it! Cub Scout Day Camp is a fun-filled week of adventure for Cub Scouts. Make new friends while participating in archery, fishing, STEM, sports, Scout skills, crafts, nature, and more! Scouts are placed in dens by age and grade, and stay in those dens all week. Age appropriate activities are offered to challenge the campers and allow them to learn new skills or expand existing skills. Campers will rotate through a variety of stations each day. Our camps are assessed annually and are nationally accredited to ensure the highest quality and safety so your child will have a positive camp experience! There are 5 different weeks of day camp to choose from. Consider volunteering with your child to join in the fun. Camp is where memories are made to last a lifetime!

Registration opens February 1, 2026

ADVANCEMENT

Scouts BSA Webinar Series

The BSA currently has two additional monthly webinars coming up:

November 5 - Click, Learn, Earn: Digital Tools for Merit Badge Counselors

December 3 - The Power of the Panel: Elevating Your Boards of Review

You can submit questions in advance to advancement.team@scouting.org.

New Merit Badges Introduced!

Scouting America has introduced two new merit badges: Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. Use link below to access the merit badge hub.

Interested in becoming a merit badge counselor for the new badges or know someone who is? Merit Badge Counselor Information can be found in link below.

COPE & CLIMBING WEEKENDS

The weekend COPE program offers the opportunity for your Troop, Crew, Ship or Post to experience a team building program like no other. Low COPE consists of warm-up activities and initiative games in the field before moving on to the Low COPE course. This course includes 12 elements low to the ground, ranging from the Archimedes Bridge to the 12-foot Wall. Adults are invited to participate.

2026 dates now published. Registration opens 6 months in advance. Click link below for dates and registration.

RIFLE & SHOT GUN PARTIAL MERIT BADGE

Do you have a Scout that has a partial Rifle or Shotgun Merit Badge from summer camp?

The Shooting Sports Committee is offering to help Scouts with Requirement 2. Option A - Rifle Shooting (Modern Cartridge Type) -

j & k.

Date/Time: November 8 9am-12pm

Location:

Ockanickon Scout Reservation

Registration fee: $10/scout

Fee covers cost of ammunition & targets. Limited to 16 participants

The Shooting Sports Committee is offering to help scouts complete Requirement 2 Option A: Shotgun Shooting (Modern Shotshell Type) - k. 

Date/Time: November 8 1-4pm

Location:

Ockanickon Scout Reservation

Registration fee: $35/scout

Fee covers cost of ammunition & clays. Limited to 10 participants

2026 SUMMER CAMP STAFF

Ockanickon Scout Reservation will be hosting an interview weekend for counselors in training (CITs) and paid staff on November 15-16. Candidates (and their parents) can learn about life as a camp staff member and interact with staff alumni. Paid staff members must be 15 years old by the start of camp season. CITs must be at least 14 years old.

ORDER OF THE ARROW

There was a lot of Food, Friends and Brotherhood at our "There's No Place Like Ajapeu 2" Fall Fellowship event. It was an incredibly fun filled event with themed activities inspired by the magical movie The Wizard of Oz and the award winning musical Wicked. Along with one of our largest brotherhood candidate classes ever, there was a lot of fantastic food, games and activities, music, silent and live auctions, a costume contest, a hayride, witches brew (warm apple cider), historical displays with memorabilia, and just relaxing with friends; both old and new.  

The Lodge also elected and welcomed our new Officers, including our new Lodge Chief Alice . We look forward to our new Lodge Executive Committee (LEC) leading Ajapeu 2 to a fun and successful year ahead!

Rob Michell & Lodge Chief Alice

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Campbuilder Days

November 15 & December 20

Chainsaw Work Day

November 8 & December 13

ONE WORLD OBSERVATORY, the observation deck atop One World Trade Center in New York City.

As we step into the fall season, One World Trade Center excited to announce fall booking is now open for the Architecture Merit Badge program—a unique opportunity for Scouts to explore architecture from one of the most iconic buildings in the world.

Led by certified NYC historian tour ambassadors, the experience blends breathtaking views with engaging, educational content tailored to meet merit badge requirements.

Program Details:

• Offered Saturdays & Sundays at 9am
• Maximum class sizes of 25–30 Scouts (larger groups can be accommodated with advance notice)
• Complimentary adult ticket for every 10 Scout tickets purchased

If interested in booking a fall trip for your troop, Contact Sean Villapol or call 212-602-4057 to reserve your spot!

2026 NATIONAL SCOUT JAMBOREE

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! The National Scout Jamboree is returning to the Summit in the summer of 2026.

2027 WORLD SCOUT JAMBOREE

About the Offer: Now through December 31, customers receive 10% off Uniform Bottoms with the purchase of the matching Uniform Top.

• Tops include Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Lion T-Shirts. 
• Bottoms include switchbacks, shorts, skorts, and roll-up pants.
• Please note this offer cannot be combined with any other discount (including clearance items and employee discounts).
• Not valid on previous purchases.

Looking for a previous newsletter? Archives are now included on our Council website under the ABOUT tab.