Although North Bergen Boy Scout Troop 160 has only been in existence for a little more than a year, the group has already accomplished plenty. Under the guidance of troop leader Tony Ferrer, enrollment has grown from two scouts to 28 – and growing. They have seen two members earn the rank of Eagle Scout. They have been active members of the community.
And recently, they went away to Boy Scout Summer Camp together for the first time.
Thanks to the generosity of several local businesses, the entire troop headed to the camp in Blairstown in western New Jersey for an entire week, to enjoy the experience of a lifetime.
“I think going away to camp instills a sense of spirit and camaraderie that they never experienced before,” said Ferrer, who also accompanied the 28 teens to the week-long excursion. “It’s not just camping and campfires, but it’s a sense of togetherness. They did everything together.”
Ferrer said that the troop raised funds from such generous businesses as Gold Coast Cleaners, Columbia Park Shop Rite, McDonald’s, Colonna Cheese Company and Dunkin’ Donuts.
“There were so many people who came forward to help the troop,” Ferrer said. “It really was amazing.”
“So many people were willing to support us,” said 16-year-old Ivan Avendano, who will be a junior at High Tech High School in the fall. “I think it was very generous that they were able to help us go to camp. I’d like to thank them all for helping us out so much. I didn’t know there were so many people in town who would be willing to help. It’s a good feeling. I hope that I can meet them and pay them back for being so generous.”
“It’s a good feeling to know that people care about us,” said fellow scout Michael Hesleitner.
Ferrer said that a good portion of the funds were donated by the Grove Reformed Church of Union City. The scouts also raised a portion of the needed funds by having a spaghetti and meatball dinner.
“Through the generosity of the community, the entire troop was able to go to summer camp for free,” Ferrer said. “The troop was able to enjoy summer camp together.”
Although the scouts were able to have some fun while away at camp, there was some scouting business to handle as well. Many of the scouts were busy working toward merit badges. Ferrer said that he made the entire troop work toward the wilderness survival badge, which utilizes the same procedure that the U.S. Navy Seals use.
“It’s a test to see if they can survive if they’re lost,” Ferrer said. “So they had to go out at night, make shelter and sleep in the shelter. They were all able to do it. Even with a lot of bears in those woods, they all made it through the night. I could see their faces when they started coming back to camp at 6 a.m. But they all came back.”
Ferrer said that he might have come across sounding and acting like a Marine sergeant, barking out instructions to the scouts.
“I really don’t baby them,” Ferrer said. “But they seem to enjoy it.”
“We do have a young troop, but we like to have fun as well,” Avendano said. “I think the time we spent together really helped a lot of the members, because some of them really matured a lot during the week. They made it easier for everyone to get to know each other better. I think we all enjoyed it and it really brought us all together.”
Ferrer thinks that the experience was so positive that the members of the troop have a new sense of pride.
“They’re showing pride in wearing their uniforms,” Ferrer said. “They’re doing fun things that their friends are now finding out. I think scouting instills a sense of confidence.”
Ferrer said that he is already planning other activities in the coming months, like weekend camping trips, a trip to go river rafting down the Delaware River and a trip to visit Gettysburg next April. He also is organizing service projects throughout the community, in order that two scouts could earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
“I hope that the community continues to support us,” said Ferrer, who said that he welcomes any new recruits to come to the next meeting at Our Lady of Fatima Church on Sept. 18. “We’ve come a long way in a year.”
If anyone is interested in joining the Boy Scout Troop 160, contact Tony Ferrer at 201-869-8129 or via e-mail at TonyF45@aol.com. The troop also has a website at www.hometown.aol/tonyf45.