Toms River Times 10-20-07

Scouts And Scouters Enjoy Weekend Camporee

TOMS RIVER - Recently, 10,250 Scouts, adult volunteers and VIP guests attended the largest camporee of its kind at the New Jersey State Police Training facility in Sea Girt. Organized by the Jersey Shore Council, Boy Scouts of America, the NJ State Police and the New Jersey National Guard, this was the second such camporee to be held there. (The previous one was held in 2004.)

Scouts and their leaders arrived, set up camp and experienced a one of a kind opening show that set the tone for the weekend and introduced key guests - astronaut Mario Runco Jr. (former NJ State Trooper), Ambassador William J. Hughes (former U.S. ambassador to Panama), Major General Glenn K. Rieth (Adjutant General of New Jersey) and Dr. Hal A. Yocum (a 50 year Scouting volunteer and expert in Lord Baden Powell history) - as well as the many individuals from the NJ State Police, NJ National Guard and Scouting who made the weekend's events possible.

Scouts had the opportunity to get up close and personal with hundreds of NJ State Troopers and members of the military who were on hand to introduce Scouts to the variety of activities the state police and military take part in. Scouts could tour the Forensic Lab where crime scene evidence is processed, learn about fingerprinting, watch a K-9 unit demonstration, see helicopters fly overhead and watch as SWAT team members take down "bad guys," visit with Marine Police and ride on a state police boat, see live fire demonstrations and rappel down the side of a building. More than 1,638 Scouts chose to earn merit badges in fingerprinting, crime prevention, citizenship in the community, citizenship in the nation, traffic safety and emergency preparedness. Special guest VIPs from around the nation worked with Scouts on their badges, including Ambassador Hughes.

Five hundred Eagle Scouts from around New Jersey attended the very special Eagle Scout Reception hosted by General Rieth, and 325 Boy Scouts were recognized as Super Recruiters by Colonel Joseph R. Fuentes, New Jersey State Police Superintendent, for their work to recruit newcomers to the Scouting program.

More than 500 Scouts were hailed for completing service projects that benefited local veterans, with Bo-Dean Messier of Troop 580 in the Southern New Jersey Council winning the Saluting Our Veterans Poster Contest. Troop 86 of the Monmouth Council earned the title of Best Boy Scout Color Guard in a special competition judged by members of the NJ National Guard and New Jersey State Police Color Guard.

Entertainment during the camporee featured patriotic songs performed by the New Jersey National Guard band and The American Belles. The captivating show provided a much needed rest from the fast-paced activities of the day.

"The second NJ State Police Boy Scout Camporee was a monumental undertaking that would not have been possible without the generous support of the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey National Guard," said Jersey Shore Boy Scouts President Robert C. Warner. "I am thrilled that so many Scouts and Scouters were able to participate and experience some unique aspects of life as a trooper or National Guard member."

"Scouts from every council in New Jersey participated in the camporee and the Jersey Shore Council is proud to have hosted the event," said Co-Chair Frank Rodgers, director, New Jersey State Park Police. "There is nothing greater than seeing thousands of tents erected and Scouts practicing their skills while experiencing something as exciting and unique as this camporee. All of our volunteers, and especially the New Jersey State Police and New Jersey National Guard deserve special thanks for all they've done to make this camporee the best one yet!"

To learn more about Scouting at the Jersey Shore, visit www.jerseyshore-bsa.org.