June is a vibrant month full of sunshine, growth, and the promise of summer adventures. The days are at their longest, the air is warm and inviting, and nature is in full swing. It's the time when everything feels alive.
Sandy Hook Bike Ride
COH Ceremony
Adult Leader Interview
Memorial Day Parade
Skill of the Month
Jokes
Crossword
Sandy Hook Bike Ride
By: Omkaar and Rohan
On Sunday, May 18, 2025, Troop 89 traded hiking boots for bike helmets on an exciting day trip to the Sandy Hook National Historic Peninsula. With clear skies, ocean breezes, and 15 miles of scenic coastal trails ahead, nine Scouts, accompanied by nine adults, set off on two wheels for an unforgettable adventure that blended nature, history, and leadership.
The trip was co-led by Scouts Omkaar and Rohan, marking a major milestone for Rohan, who was leading his first troop outing. With Omkaar mentoring him throughout the planning and the ride itself, the day became not just a journey through Sandy Hook, but also a meaningful exercise in Scout leadership and teamwork.
To keep everyone safe and connected, Mr. Cobucci provided walkie-talkies—one with the front group led by Omkaar and Rohan, and the other with the rear group, accompanied by Mr. Cobucci or Evan. With great communication and smooth coordination, the team completed a full loop, starting and ending at Parking Lot B.
The ride offered a steady mix of learning and scenic beauty. Early in the journey, the group stopped at a memorial honoring historical figures and admired the exterior of a closed but impressive fort. A short climb up a platform tower rewarded the Scouts with sweeping views of the New York City skyline, including the One World Trade Center glinting in the distance.
The halfway point—7.5 miles in—brought the group to the iconic Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the United States. First lit in June 1764, its beam can be seen from up to 16 nautical miles away (about 18.4 miles). The Scouts paused to learn about its construction, purpose, and place in American history.
The return ride was smooth and breezy, with minimal stops and plenty of open trail to enjoy. Back at their starting point, the Scouts had one final reward: some well-earned relaxation by the beach. Shoes came off and toes waded into the Atlantic Ocean, the cool water offering a refreshing end to the ride. Overhead, the skies danced with color as parasailing kites filled Sandy Hook Bay, creating a beautiful, breezy backdrop to cap off the day.
“This was an awesome learning experience for me,” said Rohan. “It was my first time leading a trip, and I recommend other Scouts take on responsibilities like this. It’s fun, challenging, and you grow a lot from it.”. Omkaar remarked, “ This is the second time I am doing this bike ride as part of the Troop 89 trip, each time it becomes even more fun and adventurous, surely one of the best day trips I have done in a while”.
What is Sandy Hook and the Gateway Recreational Area?
Sandy Hook is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, a 27,000-acre urban national park spanning parts of New York and New Jersey. Sandy Hook itself is a barrier peninsula known for its historic military sites, scenic trails, wildlife, and stunning coastal views. From beaches and lighthouses to salt marshes and bike paths, the area offers a unique combination of nature and history right on the edge of the Atlantic.
Fun Facts from the Trail:
Sandy Hook was originally part of the mainland before becoming a peninsula.
It was first discovered by Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano in April 1524.
The Sandy Hook Lighthouse, built in 1764, remains open to visitors and continues to guide ships to this day.
The trip was a perfect blend of exploration, leadership, learning, and fun—and a shining example of how Troop 89 continues to grow stronger together, one adventure at a time. Check the Photo album for more pictures from the Sandy Hook biking trip.https://photos.app.goo.gl/LfgSwmTS2CoccnJx9
COH Ceremony
By Arya
The ceremony began with a warm welcome and a brief explanation of the significance of the Court of Honor. Several new Scouts were officially welcomed into the troop and received their neckerchiefs and Scout binders, symbolizing the beginning of their Scouting adventure. Five Scouts earned the rank of Scout by demonstrating basic knowledge of Scouting ideals and procedures. Six Scouts advanced to Tenderfoot, showing growth in physical fitness, first aid, and outdoor skills. Three Scouts achieved the rank of First Class, having demonstrated strong Scoutcraft and leadership abilities. Two Scouts earned the Star rank by completing merit badges and serving in leadership positions, and one Scout was recognized for achieving the Life rank, marking a significant step toward the Eagle Scout award.
A highlight of the evening was the Eagle Scout ceremony. During this moving part of the program, the Voice of the Eagle was read aloud, reflecting on the meaning and responsibility of the Eagle rank. All Eagle Scouts in attendance stood and reaffirmed their commitment through the Eagle Pledge. The troop proudly honored Andrew Thompson as its newest Eagle Scout. Andrew received his Eagle medal, honored his mentors, and participated in the traditional pinning ceremony alongside his parents. In addition, Eagle Palms were presented in recognition of merit badges earned beyond the requirements for Eagle.
Adult Interview
By: Mr. Krishnamurthy
Q: What is your role in the Troop?
I'm the Committee Chair of Troop 89. That means I help organize things behind the scenes—making sure the troop runs smoothly, supporting our Scoutmaster and leaders, and helping plan fun and meaningful activities for the Scouts. It’s kind of like being the crew chief backstage while the real stars (the Scouts) shine out front.
Q: How long have you been here?
Our family joined Troop 89 in June 2017 when we were looking for a troop for our older son, Vishnu. A couple of friends recommended Troop 89, and we’re so glad they did. At first, I was just a regular parent, joining only the more “comfortable” trips like car camping and avoiding anything too cold. But after seeing how much fun the Scouts (and their parents) were having, I started joining more trips and getting more involved.
Then during COVID, things got tough. Many older Scouts earned Eagle or aged out, and some key adult leaders moved on. Our troop was down to just a handful of Scouts. That’s when I stepped in as Committee Chair to help keep the troop going, even though I didn’t know much about Scout skills at the time. We learned as we went—and now, a few years later, our troop has grown to about 30 Scouts and is thriving again!
Q: What do you think the Boy Scouts represent?
To me, Scouting is about helping young people grow into confident, capable, and kind adults. It teaches life skills like leadership, money management, teamwork, and how to handle challenges. It’s also a lot of fun—camping, hiking, learning new things, and building friendships that last. It’s more than just another after-school activity; it’s something that prepares you for life.
Q: Do you think our Troop has any shortcomings? If we do, how do we fix them?
Our troop is doing really well, but like any group, we can always improve. I’d love to see us become more diverse and try new things like high-adventure trips to Philmont or Florida Sea Base, and also constantly refresh and practice skills already learnt. We could also explore more of what Scouting offers, like NOVA awards and other cool programs. One big thing we need is more help from parents. If more people pitch in, we can share the work and keep things running strong without burning anyone out.
Q: What is one thing that the Troop does well?
Troop 89 knows how to have fun. Whether it’s rocket launches, cabin camping, popcorn sales, cycle trips to Sandyhook, rafting trips, the Klondike Derby, or our end-of-summer picnic, we always find ways to laugh, learn, and grow together. What makes it really special is the strong sense of community. We’re not just a group—we’re like a big extended family.
And speaking of family, Scouting is a full-family adventure for us. Vishnu is now an Eagle Scout, and our younger son Omkaar, is working toward it too. My wife, Indhu, helps with outreach and works with Cub Scout packs to bring in new families. Scouting has become a big part of our lives, and we’re proud to be part of Troop 89’s 67-year story—and excited to help carry it forward into the future.
Memorial Parade
By: Prajwal
On Memorial Day, Troop 89 proudly took part in the Hillsborough Memorial Day Parade, marching to honor those who served our country. As we walked through the streets in uniform, we got to hand out candy to our residents in town and see so many smiling faces along the way, which made the experience even more special. The crowd’s cheers and the sea of waving flags created an atmosphere full of pride and community spirit. One standout moment was the closing ceremony, where the heartfelt speeches reminded us of the true meaning behind the day. Also the shoutout they gave to us also was very special, heartwarming and truly showed that we had a special place in the town’s heart. The rose of the day was getting to interact with the community and bring smiles to people’s faces while marching together as a troop. The thorn was dealing with the heat, it definitely tested our energy and focus. Overall, it was a memorable and meaningful way to represent Troop 89 and honor those who have served in battle.
Skill of the Month
As scouts one of our pillars is to be prepared. So to brush up on important skill here is a skill of the month.
Jokes
1. Why don’t Boy Scouts ever get lost?
Because they always scout out the area first!
2. What’s a Scout’s favorite type of music?
Camp rock.
3. Why did the Scout take a ladder to camp?
Because he heard the stakes were high!
4. How do Scouts start a fire without matches?
They just “spark” up a conversation!
5. What’s a Scout’s favorite game?
Capture the Snack!
6. Why did the Scout bring string to the campfire?
To tie up loose ends.
7. What badge do you earn for making people laugh?
Comments
Post a Comment