First Troop to Celebrate 75 Years of Scouting

Washington Township is often known for its dedication to cultivating the Scout culture, and turns up Eagle Scout and Gold Award recipients on a regular basis.

The start of that culture came with the inception of Long Valley’s Boy Scout Troop 36 on January 13, 1938, chartered by the Long Valley Fire Department and the Long Valley Presbyterian Church.

Scoutmaster R.E. Matteson and Assistant Scoutmaster Frank E. VanOver oversaw a troop of 13 boys ranging in age from 12 to 17. Troop 36 was the first organized group of Scouts in Washington Township.

“Although the faces of Troop 36 have changed, its Boy Scouts still meet every week, and still strive to be: “Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, Reverent,” the Troop said in a press release.

Now, 75 years later, the Troop is celebrating its birthday and lineage of accomplishments with a celebration open to all current and former members with a Court of Honor picnic.

Anyone interested in attending can contact the troop at troop36seventyfifth@gmail.com for more information.