In recent years, a steady stream of Eagles have taken flight from Boy Scout Troop 79, based in Robbinsville.
Just over 2 million boys have reached Eagle in 100 years. Currently, around 4 of every 100 boys that joins Scouts make Eagle—that’s less than 1 percent of the male population. Though getting there may seem a daunting task, Troop 79 seems to have established a reliable road map.
Driving around Robbinsville, most people are not aware of the many improvements that have been accomplished through the efforts of Troop 79.
Some recent Eagle projects completed by the troop include: Restoration of the Little Red School House (May 2013, Dustin Roberts), collection of donations and funding for a forward operating military unit in Afghanistan (June 2013, Dylan Roberts), restoration of grave stones in the Allentown Presbyterian Church cemetery (May 2014, Kevin Kurzeja), creation of a trail in Washington Park woods (May 2014, Adam Duvin), restoration of the basement of the Little Red School House (May 2014, Laim McMurttry), restoration of the trail markers on the Tomm May Trail (August 2014, Austin Duvin), renovation of the bleachers at Tantum Park (May 2015, Casey Jones), building and installation of bat houses at the Robbins House (June 2016, Cole Montplasair), installation of benches on the walking trail at Community Park (June 2016, Jared Hughes), building and installation of a picnic area in Community Park (August 2016, Sean Carr), and restoration and construction of a usable outdoor classroom at Eagle Pond on the grounds of Pond Road Middle School (Oct. 2017, Matthew Began, the original Eagle project of Jason Pilla in 2008).
Troop 79 has produced 13 Eagle scouts in the past five years and another 26 Eagle Scouts in prior years. Our most recent Eagle Scout, Phillip Sapienza, guided the scouts on an effort to collect and donate over 4,200 books to Code ReAd for school children in Trenton.
In addition to providing community service, Troop 79 also does activities, such as camping trips, white water rafting, hiking, canoeing, fishing and biking.
There is no prerequisite for joining the Boy Scouts. Once a boy turns 11, he can join his local Boy Scout troop.
For more information, contact Troop79BSA@yahoo.com. Meetings are held every Wednesday evening from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Robbins House.
Eagle Scouts Dustin and Dylan Roberts fixed up the old schoolhouse in 2013.(File photo by Suzette J. Lucas.),
