🦊 Troop 5 Newsletter — January
Adventure Since 1920
❄️ A New Year, New Adventures
January reminds us that Scouting doesn’t slow down in winter — it sharpens us. Cold weather brings opportunities to build resilience, teamwork, and leadership, and Troop 5 is diving in with a full slate of hands-on meetings and classic winter events.
From Klondike prep nights to our annual cooking competition and the Klondike Derby itself, January is all about skills, preparation, and patrol pride.
🔥 December Highlights
Green Friday Tree Unloading
Troop 5 Scouts, alumni, and families came together to unload 770 Christmas trees for our sponsor, the Maplewood Rotary Club — finishing in a record-setting 90 minutes. An incredible example of cheerful service, efficiency, and teamwork.
Year-End Fellowship
We wrapped up the year with reflection, laughter, and time together — a reminder that Scouting is as much about community as it is about adventure.
📅 January Meetings & Events at a Glance
January 7 — Troop Committee Meeting
January 8 — Troop Meeting: Klondike Prep #1
January 14 — Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC)
January 15 — Troop Meeting: Iron Chef Night
January 22 — Troop Meeting: Open House
January 23–25 — Cooking Competition Campout
January 29 — Troop Meeting: Klondike Prep #2
January 31 — Klondike Derby
📅 January Troop Meeting Schedule
Thursdays | Scout-Led Meetings
January meetings focus on Klondike preparation, leadership, and practical skills, with Scouts leading activities throughout the month.
January 8 — Klondike Prep Night #1
Knots: Tucker
Kim’s Game: Nate & Tyler
First Aid: Henry V
A skill-building night focused on the fundamentals needed for Klondike success.
January 15 — Iron Chef Night
Iron Chef Challenge: Andrew & Callum
Advisor Supervision: Tucker
Patrols will practice creativity, planning, and teamwork in preparation for the cooking competition.
January 22 — Open House Night
Theme: Cake in a Cup & No-Bake Desserts
(Microwave mugs, simple recipes, maximum fun!)Leads: Peter & James
A fun, welcoming night — perfect for prospective Scouts and families to see Troop 5 in action.
January 29 — Klondike Prep Night #2
Cannonball: Conrad
Flag Etiquette: Keegan
Dining Fly: Kristof
Jeopardy: Niam
Categories:
New Jersey Revolutionary War
Scouting Heritage
Our final prep meeting brings together history, Scouting knowledge, and outdoor skills.
🧑🍳 Troop 5 Cooking Competition Campout
January 23–25
One of the most anticipated events of the year is back! Patrols will plan, cook, and present their best meals during our annual Troop 5 Cooking Competition Campout.
Scouts will:
Plan balanced, creative menus
Cook safely and efficiently outdoors
Work together as a patrol
Demonstrate leadership and organization
This campout is a great opportunity for newer Scouts to learn and experienced Scouts to lead.
🛷 Klondike Derby
January 31
Troop 5 heads to the Klondike Derby with a special theme this year:
Signals of Freedom: A Revolutionary Klondike
In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, Scouts will blend winter Scouting skills with Revolutionary War–inspired challenges — right here in Northern New Jersey, where history was made.
Expect sleds, signaling, cold-weather skills, teamwork, and patrol pride.
❄️ Looking Ahead
Feb 20–22 — Winter Sports Campout
Aug 2–15 — Summer Camp (mark your calendars!)
Summer 2026 — Return to Massawepie
More details coming soon.
🌟 Scout Spirit for January
“A Scout is not governed by don’t, but led by do.”
— Robert Baden-Powell
January is about showing up prepared, supporting one another, and embracing challenges — even when conditions are cold.
🦊 Yours in Scouting
Thank you to our Scouts, families, and advisors for an incredible start to the year. Bundle up, stay prepared, and we’ll see you on the trail — snow or shine.
Adventure since 1920.