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2025 SILVER BEAVER AWARD RECIPIENTS

The Silver Beaver Award is the council-level distinguished service award of Scouting America. The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service.

TAMANEND DISTRICT EXECUTIVE

We are pleased to announce that Greg House has joined the Washington Crossing Council as the Tamanend District Executive. Greg will be responsible for providing leadership in the areas of service to Cub Scout Packs, Scouts BSA Troops, Venturing Crews and Sea Scout Ship. His responsibilities include support for our youth recruiting efforts and fundraising including Friends of Scouting, Trail’s End popcorn sale, and District activities. One of his primary roles will be to lead the cultivation and recruitment of volunteers.

Greg graduated from Drexel University with a bachelor’s degree and Carnegie Mellon with a PhD in Electrical Engineering. Prior to his current role, he worked in various roles as Project Manager, Chief Engineer and Chief Technology Officer.

Please join us in welcoming Greg to Washington Crossing Council!

VETERAN SCOUTER RECOGNITION

After five years of registered service in Scouting America, an adult Scouter may apply to receive the designation of being a “veteran” Scouter.  

OCKANICKON 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 (If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will move indoors to the Mini Mart).

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

WEBELOS UNIFORM OPTIONS

Did you know Webelos Scouts can, if desired, wear either the blue Cub Scout or the tan Scouts BSA Uniform?

• While the updated Cub Scout program states that 4th graders should wear the blue CS Uniform, there might be extenuating circumstances that warrant a Scout to purchase/wear a tan uniform.
• For example, a new Scout joins the program half-way through their 4th grade year, they can purchase/wear a tan uniform if desired.
• They should not be forced to purchase a blue Cub Scout uniform to only wear it for six months before they need to purchase a tan uniform for the Arrow of Light program.

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.

Slingshot Adventure

November 2

BB Gun Adventure

December 7

AOL/Webelos Weekend - "CAMP SKIPPY"

Join us at "Camp Skippy" for an unforgettable camping experience! This event is tailor-made for all AOL/Webelos Scouts, offering a sneak peek into the exciting world of a Scouts BSA Camp. It's the perfect opportunity to delve into the Scouts BSA adventure featuring the patrol method while focusing on achieving AOL/Webelos requirements.

Stations include first aid, BB range, sports, fire building, knot tying and knife safety and are taught by Scouts and Leaders featuring team building with a hands-on experience. 

We will take a ride to the Tylersport Haunted Hayride (optional) for an additional cost of $10. A Cookie Dough & Ice Cream Truck will also visit camp on Saturday evening after the hayride. Be sure to bring some extra money to enjoy a tasty treat!

Who is invited to attend? Both AOL/Webelos Scouts, their adult partner, and leaders are welcome to join in on the fun.

Date: October 18-19

Location: 312 Simons Road, Sellersville, PA 18960

Registration fee: $25

Includes: Saturday breakfast, lunch & dinner, Sunday breakfast, and event patch with a pocket dangle.

2026 CUB SCOUT DAY CAMP

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.

2026 SUMMER CAMP RESERVATIONS

Troops can start planning now for Summer Camp 2026 at Ockanickon! With over 80 merit badges to choose from, every troop should consider OSR as a summer camp option. Troop deposits are now being accepted!

The theme for 2026 will be based on America’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. 

Troops can choose from six different sessions:

Troops that sign-up with a $150 deposit by October 31 will lock-in a special discounted rate guarantee allowing Scouts & families to have until April 30 (two extra months) to qualify for the deepest discounts in camp pricing.

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.

Dates: October 18-19 and November 8-9

RIFLE & SHOT GUN PARTIAL MERIT BADGE

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

TOH INDOOR RALLY

Open to all Scouts BSA Troops and Venturing Crews. This is a fun team-building activity. Skills targeted include first aid, knot tying, fire building, team building and Scout knowledge. (Final activities will be identified at the October Roundtable meeting.)

Date: November 2

Location: 

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

100 Broad Street

Hilltown, PA 18927

Time: 6:30 - 9:30 pm

Registration Fees:

Youth $10 on or before 10/26

Youth $12 10/27-11/2

Adults $3 (includes patch)

Additional patches $3

DATE: November 1





DATES: November 7-9

November 21-23

*Must attend both weekends

DATE: November 8



ORDER OF THE ARROW

FALL FELLOWSHIP

There's no place like Ajapeu 2 at this year's upcoming Fall Fellowship weekend in the Land of Oz. You will have many options to choose from including playing video games with friends, participating in service projects around camp, or taking part in any of the several magical activities we have planned. This event is open to all active Ajapeu 2 Brothers, new and old, and ruby red hiking boots are optional.

Date: October 24-26



Location: Ockanickon Scout Reservation, 5787 State Park Road, Pipersville, PA 18947

Campbuilder Days

October 18 & November 15

Chainsaw Work Day

October 11 & November 8

SPORTING CLAYS CLASSIC



Reserve a spot for your team now! Sponsorships are still available. Join us on Wednesday, October 15!

Don't miss out! Registration closes on Thursday, October 9

COUNCIL RECOGNITION DINNER

Washington Crossing Council Recognition Dinner will be held on November 11 from 6-9pm at Villa Mannino, 73 Route 130, Bordentown, NJ 08620. Event information and registration is available at the button below.

The evening includes fellowship, great food, and the presentation of the Silver Beaver awards, Veteran Status awards, and The James E. West fellowships.

JAMBOREE - ON - THE - AIR

Washington Crossing Council Amateur Radio Operators plan to have K3OSR at the Ockanickon Scout Reservation Science Center and at W2ZQ at Mercer County Airport active for Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) 2025. The stations plan to be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, October 18. All Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, and Crews are welcome.

Ockanickon Scout Reservation Science Center is at the south end of the parking lot at 5787 State Park Rd, Pipersville, PA. The DVRA W2ZQ radio station is on Route 579 directly across from the Ewing Township Water Tower at Exit 75 of I-295. Just look for the tall antennas to find the driveway!   

Jamboree-on-the-Air, or JOTA, is an annual Scouting event sponsored by the World Organization of the Scouting Movement (WOSM). This is the largest Scouting event of the year, with thousands of Scouts talking to one another around the world!  Amateur Radio stations around the world help Scouts participate. If the conditions are right, it is common for over a hundred Scouting countries to talk to each other during the weekend.

Scouts can meet two requirements for Radio Merit Badge and one requirement for Citizenship in the World Merit Badge. Cubs meet their International Participation requirements for Arrow of Light.  

Save the date on your unit calendar now! No advance reservations or fees are required, but if you are bringing more than ten Scouts from your unit, we ask that you divide them up and stagger their arrival times so they can have a more active experience.

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

As we step into the fall season, we're excited to announce that fall booking is now open for our Architecture Merit Badge program—a unique opportunity for scouts to explore architecture from one of the most iconic buildings in the world.

I've attached a detailed outline of the program, including rates and what to expect. Led by our 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 you're interested in booking a fall trip for your troop, feel free to call me at 212-602-4057 or reply directly to Sean Villapol. I’d be happy to help reserve your spot!

2027 WORLD SCOUT JAMBOREE

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

• Tops include Cub Scouts, 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.