Our History
When Patrick Golden joined Cub Scouts in 1965, the minimum age was 8 years old. There were no Tigers but there were Lions and there was no set time limit to be a Webelos. He got his Arrow of Light in 1968. The Pack size was 60 scouts. He joined Troop 56 in September 1968 and aged out in 1975. At that time it was “uncool” to a Boy Scout.
The troop went on many trips. There were four one-week trips each year; Sabattis, backpacking in the mountains, sail boating, and camping in Harriman State Park in New York. When going to Sabattis, the troop almost always went on the first week. The troop went to Camporee twice a year, spring and fall, but not to Jamboree. In Sunday at Camporee, there was a religious service, either Protestant or Catholic. To some scouts, it exposed religion to them for the first time.
A major difference back then was that the Eagle Scout rate was low. Scouts were focused less on ranking up, and there were less requirements. Advancement was much less focused on, as scouts were content with just having fun. Instead of books, there were cards that were used to be signed off on. If you lost the card, you would have to start all over. Merit badges were done the same way, but it would be much worse to lose the cards for that. Advancement was not as important back then.
The gear that was used back then were heavy canvas 3-4 man tents, and scouts slept in flannel-inside cotton-outside sleeping bags. If the sleeping bag got wet, it would become extremely heavy, and not dry out for days, not to mention a soggy bed. Scout also slept under the stars, with just a tarp above them and their sleeping bags buried in pine needles to insulate the warmth. There was no class B and at the Camporee they wore their class A the entire time. Cooking was done on campfires, but near the end of Mr. Golden’s time as a scout, stoves were brought to Sabattis. Pocket stew, which was a stew of leftovers, was sometimes made to not waste any food as leftovers that would probably not be eaten. There was a lot of tin foil cooking done, and food prep was done at home so a packet for dinner or so could just be thrown onto the fire.
TROOP 56 BE PREPARED!
Scout Oath
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, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
Scout Mission
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 Scout Law.
Shaping Tomorrow, Today
At Troop 56 Millington, we believe in preparing scouts for a future where resourcefulness and character are paramount. Through a blend of outdoor education, adventures, and hands-on learning, we empower scouts to navigate life's challenges with confidence and capability.
Join us, where tradition meets tomorrow, and experience firsthand how Troop 56 in Millington New Jersey, shapes the leaders of tomorrow with passion and expertise.
Interested in joining Troop 56 Millington, NJ?
Please email the completed application document to [email protected]