Scouting

Allendale Girl Scouts

Girl Scouting is alive and well in Allendale. Since its founding in 1912 Girl Scouts have served over 59 million girls. Girl Scouting of the United States of America (GSUSA) is part of a world-wide family of over 10 million girls and adults in 145 countries around the globe with over 3.2 million enrolled in Girl Scout programs here in the United States.

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Here in Allendale we serve over 200 girls from kindergarten through high school, led by volunteers from our Allendale community who provide a quality program centered on the principles of Girl Scouting. Girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together through a myriad of enriching experiences, such as field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardships. Girl Scouting helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision-making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others.

To become a part of Girl Scouting, either as a girl or adult volunteer, please contact Maureen Mamunes, Service Unit Manager by email or by phone: (201) 248-8240 .

Allendale Boy Scouts

There is a long tradition of Boy Scouting in Allendale. The Boys Scouts of America was founded in 1910 by a charter granted by Congress. Seven years later, Allendale Troop was founded by a group of local men consisting of Willard Alling, A.E. Atkinson, Harry Hartt, Arthur Tomalin and was led by the Reverend Charles Woodruff of Archer United Methodist Church. The Troop’s main activities during its early years were the sale of bonds to support the American effort in World War I and the collection of old newspapers. As the Boy Scout movement grew, so did the participation of the youth in Allendale.

Boy Scout Troop 59 offers training in outdoor skills, leadership skills and character building activities. Scouts advance in rank with the guidance of trained adult leaders as well as experienced Scouts. They participate in a wide range of outdoor activities such as camping, backpacking, whitewater rafting, canoeing and engage in the wider Scouting community by attending the West Point Camporee and Council- based leadership training. Most attend summer camp for a week at the end of July where they continue to advance in rank and develop a sense of camaraderie that makes scouting such a wonderful experience. Upon the attainment of the rank First Class, Scouts become eligible for High Adventure trips. Troop 59 Scouts have hiked many miles at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, sailed in the Caribbean around the Bahamas, and canoed in Upstate New York.

Meetings are held Mondays, 7:30-9pm at Archer United Methodist Church in the auditorium. Contact Scoutmaster Tom Zambrotta by email for more information.