By MADDY VITALE
Scout Master Robert Day was philosophical when speaking about cancellations of events, meetings and possible trips for Sea Isle City’s Boy Scout Troop 76 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are not going to let this get us down and we have to roll with the punches. As Boy Scouts, you have to go with the flow in life,” Day said.
To that end, he said the 15 members of Troop 76, which includes scouts from Sea Isle, Ocean City, Dennis and Middle Townships, are doing a lot virtually, the scouts can work on their merit badges and prepare for summer Scout trips, while Day and others can put in orders and organize the programs, camps and outings.
“We talked to the parents and told them that until further notice, Troop 76 activities will be suspended,” he said.
Day, whose four sons are in the scouts, and three have risen to the top rank of Eagle, said the troop is definitely keeping busy.
“This is the perfect time to do the research on the internet for merit badges,” he said. “Especially for the emergency preparations badge, which includes learning how to do meal planning.”
There are many different types of badges scouts could research. For instance, there are badges for emergency preparations, personal fitness, personal management and camping.
“Each child takes about five merit badges for summer camp and there is a lot of preparation time before then,” Day added.
Girl Scouts sell cookies during a fundraiser. (Photo courtesy Marie's Seafood Facebook page)
Like Day, leaders in the Girl Scouts Troop 41012 in Sea Isle City are making the most of the unusual circumstances.
Junior Brownie Leader Shannon Romano, who is also the Sea Isle City Clerk said there are 16 children from grades kindergarten through fifth grade in Troop 41012 from Sea Isle, Ocean City, Dennis and Middle Townships.
In a notice on the Girl Scouts website for Southern and Central New Jersey, an announcement said the offices and camps would be closed through April 5.
Romano said, despite the closing, the Girl Scouts are keeping busy. And just as the boys are preparing for their merit badges, so are the girls.
“My troop is mailing me final cookie money payments and we are going to email badge packets to them to work on in their free time,” Romano said. “We need time to put it all together.”
Day and Troop 76 are busy working on merit badges, BaySea Day Camp is also underway. The camp takes place over the summer and includes cub scout troops across the state.
“I’m the program director and I am in charge of getting all the volunteers together,” Day said. “It is a great camp. We do cooking, swimming, and other events.”
There is a lot to be done.
“This is something we plan months in advance. We have to put in the orders for the patches, badges and T-shirts.
Day said that there is something positive about the entire process.
“We can place orders now. We just can’t get them yet,” he said. “The good thing is we are ahead with everything.”
https://www.facebook.com/BaySeaDayCamp/videos/1334681706664300/
