Author: Terin Miller

Our New Scout Master

Featured by Terin Miller, posted in Uncategorized

An Interview with Chris Donat

By Keegan B., Troop 5 Historian

Chris Donat became Troop 5’s Scout Master Jan. 1, 2022.

After watching Roger Brauchli, the Troop’s longest-serving Scout Master, he wanted to make sure he could make a big impact on the Troop like Roger did.

Mr. Donat became involved in Boy Scouts because his son Cole, who is an Eagle Scout, was involved in Troop 5. 

Cole eventually became a Senior Patrol Leader. 

Cole’s brother, Henry, is the current Senior Patrol Leader.

Mr. Donat has been to Philmont Scout Ranch and the U.S. Virgin Islands (‘High Adventure’ trips) once.

In 2016 he became an Assistant Scout Master.

He was a Cub Master before that, with Maplewood’s Pack 19.

Mr. Donat’s favorite part has been attending summer camp, doing all the activities and spending time with all the people.

His favorite high adventure trip has been Philmont, though he did like USVI as well.

His favorite camping trip is the Long Beach Island trip, although he does love the Mohawk Mountain ski trip as well.

I just know that he will look forward to the memories he will make as a Scout Master.

Scout Master ‘Roger’ Retires

by Terin Miller, posted in Leadership

An interview with Roger Brauchli, former Troop 5 Scout Master

By Keegan B., Troop 5 Historian

Roger Brauchli became Troop 5’s Scout Master in September 1969.

He officially stepped down Jan. 1, 2022.

Roger Brauchli became a Boy Scout in 1960.

He wanted to join because his friends wanted to join. 

He also wanted to go camping and he had a lot of encouragement from his parents.

He earned the rank of Eagle Scout at age 16.

He became Troop 5’s Scout Master because he was asked by the people in the committee and he said “why not?”

He wanted to make a big impact on the Troop. 

Roger Brauchli’s favorite part of being Troop 5’s Scout Master since 1969 has been meeting new people.

He has liked guiding scouts and making long lasting friends.

He continued as Scout Master as long as he did because of how much fun he had, and he wanted to continue making a big impact.

His favorite ‘High Adventure’ trip was either St. John, the U.S. Virgin Islands trip (he went eight times) or Philmont Scout Ranch (he went two times).

He liked the Long Beach Island trip, the cooking competition, the canoe trips and the bike hike.

In his more than 51 years as Troop 5 Scout Master, Roger Brauchli, known to all his Scouts as, simply, “Roger,” has made a huge impact on Troop 5.

Stay Tuned at this Site!

by Terin Miller, posted in Camping, Hike
‘The Cantina,’ not much to look at from the outside, but a welcoming sight and wonderfully cool inside after a long hike – and all the Root Beer you can drink! [Photo by Terin Miller, July 2019, shot with a dying Samsung Galaxy J7 phone]

PHILMONT 2022 IS APPROACHING

This is where stories of the preparations for Philmont 2022 and Summer Camp 2022 will appear, which is why you should keep your eyes on it.

‘The Red Beret,’ an occasional Troop 5 newsletter publication, is moving online, hopefully this month.

Originally, the officer position of “Newsletter Editor” was charged with soliciting articles from Troop members, but as with so many news and information organizations, and in an effort to be more environmentally conscious, Troop 5 is on the cusp of moving articles and photos – usually gathered by the Troop Historian – online.

This has happened after two years of mostly virtual Troop 5 meetings, and because of the needs for future Eagle Scouts to meet Communications Badge requirements to enter this brave new world of the 21st century.

Among the other skills Scouts in Troop 5 learn will be how to write ‘blog posts,’ as opposed to printed newsletter articles. They will learn to not only compose a brief – four to five paragraphs – but also how to accompany such briefs with graphic elements such as photos, and even embedded links, as ‘contributors.’ As currently envisioned, positions involved in this activity will be the Webmaster, Historian and Scribe.