The Garden State Council invites you to participate in the Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills, a fun-filled program of hands-on skills training in the outdoors, designed to help you master basic camp skills required for tenderfoot to First Class. This course will be held in the Spring at Grice Scout Reservation Saturday April 20th 8:00 AM to Sunday, April 21st Noon.Mandatory pre-weekend meeting Wednesday, April 17th at Riggins Scout Resource Center, from 7 PM to 10 PM. This course will also be held in the Fall at Pine Tree Education and Environmental Center

Saturday October 26th 8:00 AM to Sunday, October 27th Noon

Mandatory pre-weekend meeting Wednesday October 23, at Rowan Scout Resource Center, from 7 PM to 10 PM

For current members of the Boy Scouts of America who are active in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

The Mervin Sluizer, Jr. Scholarship Fund was created in 1992 by alumni of Philadelphia Troop 185, Boy Scouts of America, for the purpose of helping worthy scouts pursue higher education. This is a scholarship in the amount of $1,000 which may be re-applied for each year throughout the applicant's higher education. Scholarship recipients will be selected from active Scouts who meet the criteria below. The fund is administered by The Philadelphia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit organization. The award will be made to the educational institution according to the regulations of The Philadelphia Foundation. Any tax consequences are solely the responsibility of the Scholarship recipient.

Here is your chance to earn the SCUBA Diving Merit Badge. Scouts, age 13 and older, in this program will come together for 5 days. Through this program, Scouts will have the opportunity to earn the SCUBA Merit Badge, including a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Open Water Dive Certification. PADI is a recognized organization by the Boy Scouts of America.

The cost for the course is: $660. This fee covers all training materials, meals, camping fees, instruction, certification fees, and open water certification dives. The student is responsible only for bringing diving mask, snorkel, & fins available at a local dive shop.

Prerequisites. Scouts must be at least 13 years old and have completed the Swimming Merit Badge prior to August 3, 2013. Scouts must bring a completed BSA Heath History and signed waivers (Will be sent to Scouts after registering), and will be required to schedule/complete checkout dives at Dutch Springs.

The lodge members in the southern end of the council are sponsoring an event that is called "FAST START"  which is intended for new Boy Scouts who are needing new requirements for Tenderfoot through First Class. This is an instructional skills event that teaches the skills and allows the scouts the opportunity to return to his troop with a form indicating those skills learned and the troop then has the responsibility to preform the testing.

There is no cost for the event and troop leaders are welcome and encouraged to attend the event. Both members of the Order of the Arrow and NYLT training are encouraged to assist in being instructors for the event, there is a registration page posted on our website at the following link.   

Fast Start Link