Boy Scout Troop 226, the only Shomer Shabbat Boy Scout Troop in Bergen County, chartered to the Teaneck Jewish Center, held its annual end-of-the-year barbecue at Phelps Park in Teaneck on Monday evening, June 18. At a ceremony recognizing Scouts for their achievements, Scoutmaster Daniel Chazin awarded the Scouts merit badges, the Ner Tamid religious emblem and rank advancements. It was a fitting conclusion to a productive year.

The last few months have been filled with activity, including the troop’s annual Chol ha-Mo’ed Pesach overnight (this time to a snowy Harriman State Park); learning to cut wood with axes, hatchets and saws; hiking in Norvin Green State Forest;, attending the Mickey Marcus Memorial at the United States Military Academy; participating in the color guard of the Celebrate Israel Parade; sailing on Long Island Sound; holding a Tikkun Leil Shavuot learning at the Teaneck Jewish Center and attending a mountain climbing seminar at the Newark Museum. These special activities were in addition to the troop’s Monday night meetings at the Jewish Center, where boys have the opportunity to learn outdoor skills and good citizenship, practice leadership and participate in games and other fun activities.

Over the last twelve months, a number of Scouts have progressed in rank, and three Scouts, all Yeshiva high-school seniors, have undertaken Eagle Service Projects despite their busy academic schedules. Thus far, two of the three Eagle Projects have resulted in Scouts being awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, with the third project having just been completed this past Sunday.

The troop’s Monday night meetings are on hiatus for the summer, but the troop has several exciting activities planned during the summer months, including a canoe trip at Floodwood Mountain Scout Reservation in the Adirondacks, kosher Scout sleep-away camp at Forestburg Scout Reservation, marching in Teaneck’s annual Fourth of July parade and participating in National Night Out in early August. Monday night meetings will resume in early September, at which time the troop will hold an Open House for new and prospective Scouts.

For more information about Boy Scout Troop 226, contact Daniel Chazin at DChazin @ aol.com or 201-835-5338, or Shimon Oppenheim at simeon.oppenheim @ gmail.com.

By Shimon Oppenheim