Neighbor News
Boy Scout Troop 200 Hikes Historic Jockey Hollow
Scouts walk Patriots' Path, 239 years after historic St. Patrick's Day Encampment
Boy Scout Troop 200 from Annandale recently completed on a 10.4-mile hike through Jockey Hollow, one of four locations that make up Morristown’s National Historic Park. The scouts were able to earn miles toward their 2nd Class Rank or their Hiking Merit Badge. The scouts are working on additional requirements, so they can earn a special Jockey Hollow medal.
The hike began at the visitor’s center where the scouts were able to view a reconstructed soldier hut and a panoramic painting of the encampment including the route of the hike. First stop was the Wick Farmhouse. From there they went to the New Jersey Brigade and continued to Stark’s Brigade to the Soldier Huts.
“The winter of 1779-80 was very bad, the harshest of the entire war,” explains John Martoccia, Second Class Scout. “The hills in the area helped protect Washington’s Army who were encamped there in huts they built on the slopes.”
When the Scouts got to the top of one mountain they had a great view of the New York City skyline. They were also able to locate where sentries watched for the British Army. It was in this location that Stark’s Brigade watched for smoke signals day and night from New York to Monmouth County. If they saw smoke on the horizon, they knew it meant trouble and would get word to General Washington. After the hike the Troop made its way to Washington’s Headquarters for a tour of the Ford Mansion in Morristown, before heading back to their campsite.
What made this outing particularly special was the timing; this hike coincided with the 239th anniversary of the St. Patrick’s Day Encampment of 1780.
“I’m really proud of the Scouts,” says Jeff Lutz, Assistant Scoutmaster. “The hike was tougher than some had expected, and it was great to see the more experienced hikers helping and encouraging the less experienced hikers.”
Troop 200 is a high-adventure, boy-led troop. The scouts meet on Monday evenings during the school year at Immaculate Conception Church in Annandale, NJ. For more information about the troop, follow BSA Troop 200 on Facebook, Troop 200 NJ on Instagram or visit our website
at http://boyscouttroop200.org/
