Scouts busy with activities

Boy Scout Troop 358 of Freehold Township participated in two training programs in November. On Nov. 3 nine scouts attended the 2007 Den Chief Conference hosted by Monmouth Council, Boy Scouts of America. The role of Den Chief is imperative in order to recruit and transition Cub Scouts into Boy Scouts. The scouts are now able to assist with local Cub Scout meetings.

The scouts in attendance were Tom Brauner, Joe Brauner, Michael Raia, Robert Gleason, Noah Marinelli, William Lackett, Mitchell Applegate, Ned Arnold and David Sherman.

Cub Scout dens that would like assistance during the scout year may call Barb Brauner at (732) 881-4750 to arrange for a Den Chief to assist the Cub Scouts.

TheMonmouth Council also hosted the Patrol Leadership Skills training course the weekend of Nov. 9-11. The course is intended as a beginning course for scouts who are Patrol Leaders or who would like to be Patrol Leaders in the future. The presentations during the weekend were designed to make the boys more aware of the responsibilities and duties of Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader and Troop Guide.

In attendance were Zack Kocsik, Chris Yang, Austin Belmont, Evan Lee, Daniel Fung, Ned Arnold, Tom Brauner, Joe Brauner, Michael Raia, Justin Bujalski, Andrew Byle, Tim Gassoway and David Sherman.

Part of the Boy Scout oath states, "To help other people at all times." The members of Troop 358 had the opportunity to fulfill their oath when they held a food drive and collected and delivered a station wagon full of Thanksgiving food for Open Door, Freehold, in early November.

The troop was also busy participating in a park cleanup on Nov. 5. Whittier Oaks Park, East Freehold Road, is adopted by Troop 358. The troop members raked and bagged leaves, discarded trash and planted daffodil bulbs. The troop members clean the park three times a year.

On Dec. 10 the troop members took a trip to The Manor health and rehabilitation center on the campus of CentraState Medical Center. The scouts sang holiday songs and hosted bingo games for the residents.