Lebanon’s Troop 200 still going strong after more than 65 years

In a few weeks, Lebanon Borough’s Troop 200 will be wrapping up its 65th year of scouting. At a recent meeting they welcomed back former Troop 200 scouts and scouters to share their memories. On display were photo albums, scrapbooks, photographs, books, awards and other artifacts showcasing the Troop’s rich history.

“Our plans for a big 65th anniversary celebration last year were impacted by the pandemic,” explains Troop 200 senior patrol leader, Owen Maslanka. “So, we decided to take a different approach and leveraged social media and technology to help bring everyone together. In the end, I think it worked out better because we have former scouts all over the country.”

Tom Lawrence of Union Township was a member of the Troop nearly two decades ago and is the troop’s 37th Eagle Scout. He talked to the boys about his time in scouts, including one of his favorite trips called ‘Boot and Paddle’ where the Scouts would enter the Delaware River
at Resica Falls in Pennsylvania and spend a week paddling down the river ending at Treasure Island, near Point Pleasant, PA. Decades later, he still has the paddle he used on display in his
office. As a father of young children, Lawrence is now involved with Pack 190 where his son is a Tiger Scout.

“You may not realize it now, but the skills you learn and the merit badges you earn will pay
off later in life,” he stated as he explained how lessons learned working on his Eagle Scout award fifteen years ago have stayed with him and benefited him in many different ways.

The Troop had a similar impact on Tim Whiteley, a member of Troop 200’s Viking Patrol in the
early 1980’s. “I’m now a Cub Master of Pack 4 in the Great Alaska Council. I hope that my kids enjoy scouting as much as I did. I still have my scout handbook and a lot of great memories!”

Eagle Scout and former Troop 200 Scoutmaster, Mike Marosy of Clinton Township is still involved
with the troop. He expressed that in life the journey is the destination and every experience – good and bad – are learning opportunities. While traveling across the country this summer with his wife he shared how the skills he first learned as a scout and honed as a leader paid off when things didn’t always go as planned.

Gordon Sammis of Raritan Township was a member of Troop 200 back in the early 1960’s. His favorite scouting events were the outdoor activities like sports and camping. He also shared that he and another Troop 200 scout, Ed Robinson forged a lifelong friendship and even served as best men in each other’s weddings.

“Scouting made a positive impact on me – doing the right thing, being courteous, etc.,” he
shared. “It taught be valuable skills like camping and hunting which were my passions.”

“It was a great night hearing from past members of the troop,” stated Jeff Lutz, Troop 200
Scoutmaster. “We have a very strong network and having members check in with updates from all over New Jersey, Florida, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina and even Alaska is terrific. And, to hear that many of them are sharing their knowledge and Scout spirit with the next generation of scouts is a testament to long standing traditions and a solid program.”

Troop 200 is a high-adventure, boy-led troop. The scouts meet on Monday evenings during the school year at Lebanon Reformed Church in Lebanon, NJ. For more information about the troop, follow BSA Troop 200 on Facebook or visit the Troop 200 website at http://boyscouttroop200.org./