TROOP 185 EAGLE SCOUTS
Page content:
Statement of Purpose and Mission Statement
Scout Motto, Oath, and Law
Sponsorship
Troop Meetings
Parent Committee Meetings
Camping and Overnight Trips
Troop Roster
185 Eagle Scouts
Troop Schedule 2008 - 2009
Photo Gallery
Scouting Serves the Jewish Community
Statement of Purpose
Troop 185’s philosophy is to teach boys to effectively
lead others, while cooperating and contributing when
led by others.  The goal is to apply this in life, not just
Boy Scouts.  This is accomplished by placing boys in
an environment where challenges are fun events,
and success is predicated on positive leadership,
coordination, preparation, and participation.  The
emphasis is on valuing each Scout by recognizing
and maximizing his individual strengths, observing
and overcoming or compensating for his weaknesses.


Mission Statement
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to
prepare young people to make ethical and moral
choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the
values of the Scout Oath and Law.
SCOUT MOTTO:

Be Prepared


SCOUT OATH (or Promise):

On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
SCOUT LAW:

A Scout is:

TRUSTWORTHY
LOYAL
HELPFUL
FRIENDLY
COURTEOUS
KIND
CHEERFUL
THRIFTY
BRAVE
CLEAN
REVERENT
Boy Scouts of America
Troop 185 – Elkins Park, PA
                                                   CHARTERED SPONSORSHIP

Troop 185 is a Shomer Shabbat Observant, Kosher Boy Scout troop, sponsored by Congregation
Adath Jeshurun of Elkins Park, PA since 1926.  Membership at Adath Jeshurun is not required to
join the troop.  Boys of all faiths and backgrounds are encouraged to join.  The troop is part of the
Washington District, Cradle of Liberty Council of the Boy Scouts of America and actively
participates in events sponsored by the local and national Jewish Committees on Scouting.  We
stress fun, leadership and character development for boys from 11 to 18 years old.

The mission of the Jewish Committee on Scouting is to promote Boy Scouting among Jewish
youth, to help Jewish institutions and the Cradle of Liberty Council provide opportunities for
Jewish youth, and to promote Jewish values in Scouting through program help, the religious
emblems program, camping scholarships, and providing chaplains for the local summer scout
camp.

                                           TROOP MEETINGS AND STRUCTURE

Troop Meetings

The troop meets Monday evenings, except Jewish and secular holidays, between September and
June from 7:15 to 9:00 pm at Adath Jeshurun, 7763 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA.  Informal
outings (mini-golf, bowling, swimming, etc.) are held on Monday evenings in the summer, after we
return from the Summer Trek (see below).

New Scouts are always welcome.  You and your sons are invited to stop by and “check us out.”  
Contact Neil Schmerling, taxscout@aol.com or Al Nadel, Al1116@aol.com for additional information.


Troop Committee Meetings (also known as Parent Meetings)

The Troop Committee of parents, troop alumni and other concerned adults runs the troop based
on the guidelines of the Boy Scouts of America.  Al Nadel (Al1116@aol.com) is the Troop
Committee Chairman.  The Committee approves the program set forth by the scouts and takes
care of health, safety and logistical issues, so that the scouts can have fun with structure.  
Scoutmaster Neil Schmerling (taxscout@aol.com) oversees the implementation of the program by
the scouts and coaches them, using the Methods of Scouting.


                                       CAMPING TRIPS & OVERNIGHTERS

New Jersey Kinnus--weekend retreat sponsored by the Jewish Committee on Scouting, usually in
April or May.

Pennsylvania Kinnus--weekend retreat sponsored by the Jewish Committee on Scouting, usually
in September.

Troop 185 typically participates in six weekend trips per year, an extended summer trek and single
day adventures, such as campouts, backpacking, bike and canoe hikes, and sporting events.  We
often participate with troops and scouts from the Northeast Region, like the Pennsylvania Kinnus,
New Jersey Kinnus, Keystone Kosher Klondike Derby and the Massachusetts Conclave.  We
typically have a spring and a fall weekend camping trip on our own.  Our Summer Trek usually
includes of two weeks in scout camp plus at least one other week of high adventure activities
such as hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, water parks and caving, and we have also gone
touring to several interesting places like the Baseball and Hockey Halls of Fame, Niagara Falls,
and even trips to Israel.

The Leaders:

Neil Schmerling, Scoutmaster
Howard Hyman, Assistant Scoutmaster
Al Nadel, Troop Committee Chair
The Scouts:

Bennett
Yoni
Jacob
Daniel
Matti
Bobbie
Ofir
Brian
TROOP ROSTER

2006

Saul E. Zebovitz
2002

Joshua Stulman

2004

Eli Katz
1999

Russell Nadel

2003

Joseph  Schmerling
1994

Michael Don
Troop meetings are at AJ on certain Sunday afternoons from 2:00 - 5:00 PM
(“A” Meetings) or on certain Monday evenings from 7:30 - 9:00 PM (“B”
Meetings), as noted in the table, in the Orleans Auditorium B unless
otherwise specified.  Dates and events are subject to change based on
attendance.  Committee/Parents meetings are at 7:30 PM on the indicated
Sundays.


SEPTEMBER

A Meeting - 13 (Creek Cleanup)
B Meeting - 22 (Parents and Scouts)
Parents/Committee - 13 (Nadel)
AJ Groups Fair - 13

OCTOBER

B Meetings - 5 (Sukkah Party at Elyse & Michael Schatz’ home), 12
(Advancement Plans)
A Meeting - 25 (Advancement)
PA Kinnus - 16-18 (Camp Briarwood)
Committee/Parents - 25 (Schmerling)

NOVEMBER

A Meeting - 8
B Meeting - 16
Court of Honor - 16 (8:30 PM)
Committee/Parents - 15
Hike - 22 (Location TBD)

DECEMBER

A Meetings - 6, 20
Committee/Parents - 15
Wilderness Survival Campout - 28-31 (Location TBD)

JANUARY

A Meetings - 10, 31
B Meetings - 18
Committee/Parents - 10
Campout (Gifford Pinchot State Park) & Ski Trip (Roundtop on Sun.) - 22-24

FEBRUARY

A Meetings - 7, 21
Committee/Parents - 7
Klondike Derby - 12-15 (Location TBD)

MARCH

A Meetings - 7, 14
Committee/Parents - 14
Campout - 19-21 (French Creek; Hawk Mountain on Sunday)

APRIL

A Meeting - 11 (Bring Bikes)
Court of Honor - 11 (4:30 PM)
Committee/Parents - 18
Bike Hike - 25 (Location TBD)

MAY

A Meeting - 16
B Meeting - 3
Committee/Parents - 16
NJ Kinnus - 28-31

JUNE

A Meeting - 6
B Meeting - 21
Court of Honor - 21 (8:30 PM))
Committee/Parents - 6
Scout Sabbath - 11
Whitewater Rafting - 13 (Lehigh River)
Summer Trek-June 27 - July 16 (Bike Hike?)
BOY SCOUT TROOP 185, BSA
MASTER SCHEDULE
2009-2010
(as of September 30, 2009)
7763 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027
Contact: Neil Schmerling, taxscout@aol.com or Al Nadel, Al1116@aol.com
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