Troop 189 has been awarded BSA Quality Unit Status in
2003
2004
2005
2006

and the
2007 Centennial
Quality Unit
Award
 

Our year started off with a great camping trip into the North Central Catskills. On Friday we celebrated Ryan’s birthday (thanks for the cupcakes!) and then we got up early Saturday to hike!  We hiked about 3 miles through the North and South Lake region of the Catskill Preserve, and only went about 3 miles but the Troop experienced a 1300 foot elevation change!  We saw Layman’s Monument and had lunch at Sunset Rock.  We were so high that we were hiking through the clouds!

In keeping with the Troop tradition it rained hard on Saturday night, but Sunday we woke up and hiked to Kaaterskill Falls, the highest waterfall in New York State. Everyone agreed that it was hard but worth it. Special thanks go out to our adult volunteers: Eric who pulled the trailer, SM Steve, ASM Art, Trip Coordinator Andrea, and Committee Members Jim, Tobi, Paul and Paul. Without their help the trips would not happen for the boys.

Troop Historian Joe R Reports:

Troop 189 went on an overnight tent trip to Greene County, NY in the Catskills on Friday September 12th to Sunday the 14th, 2008. We left on a very rainy day and it took five hours to get there. We had to set up camp in pitch black (with some lanterns available and the light of the moon). In the morning, the adults cooked breakfast and Adam and Harry, of the Bulldogs Patrol made sandwiches for lunch. The campsite we were in was called Brookside Campground and our site was "The Point".

We hiked all over a New York State Park in the area and went to Sunset Rock for lunch. The view was a little foggy, but you could see a little bit of the mountain. Then we hiked back to the parking lot and got firewood under the guidance of David G, Senior Patrol Leader. Then we went back to "The Point" and did some skills work and I earned my toten chip award. Kevin G did some toten chip work too. Then, a few of us went to the playground area and had alot of fun. After dinner, the adults made pineapple-banana cake and Charles H, Asst. Patrol Leader of Stealth Force and a few others make cooked apples. Everyone said dessert was delicious. The campfire was fun, with songs (a little mistake by me- sorry guys!) and skits. Then it started to rain, RAINMAKERS OF WANTAGH - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!! Some tents held up better than others to the wet weather.

Our last morning, we packed up our tents and some soggy bags and went to Kaaterskill Falls. It was a very steep hike, but well worth it for such a BEAUTIFUL sight in the end. Sadly, our weekends seem to end to soon and it was time for us to go. Thank goodness Mr. Furlong had jumper cables for Harry’s Dad because his car wouldn't start and that would mean that our gear would still be at "The Point". We can't wait for another great weekend with Troop 189.

By Joseph R, Historian
 

Photos By Bulldogs Patrol Leader Adam C: