Scoutmaster

As Scoutmaster of Troop 89, let me thank you for visiting our site!

Welcome to our Website and our Troop

Welcome to our website. Troop 89 is focused on providing a variety of opportunities and experiences to our scouts. We are fortunate to have over 60 years of continuous, active scouting with a strong youth run organization. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the opportunity of joining our troop, please send us an email at scoutmaster@troop89nj.org.  

Why is Scouting important to me?

With so many extra-curricular opportunities available to our children today, I feel scouting is a worthwhile program that stands out in three important regards. 

Outdoor Skills and Appreciation - Can you throw some things in a pack, step off the road into the woods and live comfortably for a few days without getting lost? Can you build a fire, lash a tripod together, set up a shelter, cook your food, stay warm and dry and leave no trace of your presence when you leave? These basic skills help confidence and instill independence in our scouts. Let them out, get dirty and have fun… all without a computer or phone. Billions of dollars are being spent every year to steal our children’s attention and isolate them from nature and community. Scouting helps to instill a sense of appreciation, preservation and conservation of our natural environment.

Scout Leadership - Scouting is more than learning to camp, use axes, and make fires.  While those are important skills, the more valuable lesson is learning how to plan, prepare, and lead.  To that end, BSA Troops are organized and run by the scouts through the “patrol method,” with trained adult supervision, of course.  The scouts are not simply ‘included’ in the program activities; rather, they plan, prepare, and lead every activity.  Using the “scout lead” method is not easy and requires supportive parents and adults.  As an adult, it is often hard to watch our kids wait until the last minute to prepare. We adults have already experienced many of the things our children face in Scouting and it is very hard to fight the urge to ease their struggle as they face a new task. However, it is through the process of doing it themselves that the enduring lessons of leadership are learned.

Citizenship - In these times, where civil discourse in politics is waning, it is more important than ever that our youth can understand what it means to be an American citizen and the responsibilities that entails. The program helps scouts to thoughtfully consider how to contribute meaningfully as a citizen of our local community, our nation, and the world, through service projects, merit badge studies and relevant trips.

What is the Scoutmaster’s job?

Philosophically, my job is to see that the Troop does its best to deliver the promise of Scouting to our youth, their parents as well as to the Troop Committee.  I hope to, by example, impart the Scouts with the foundation to make ethical and moral choices by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. 

Practically, my job is to guide the scouts along their journey of Scouting, mentor them in their leadership positions, and work with the Assistant Scoutmasters (ASMs) and Troop Committee to make sure that the Troop provides the Scouts with the best opportunities to learn scouting’s lessons.

What is the parents’ job?

While I am honored to wear the Scoutmaster patch, there are a few things that you’ll have to do as well. 

Input - since the running of a Troop is a shared task between parents, interested adults, and myself, I need to know what you expect--your opinions, and desires for your Scout -- in order for us to provide the best possible program.  So, you need to communicate with me, the Assistant Scoutmasters (ASMs), or Troop Committee.  We hold ASM meetings once a month to discuss the program and do the “adult” planning necessary to make the “youth” program successful, and we hold committee meetings once a month to which all parents are invited.

Participation - help out where you can. I realize we all have busy lives and it is hard to balance your time to so many activities. Not all jobs require going on trips or having outdoor skills. Most positions can use your skills at organizing, updating, tracking and basic things we all do at work every day. You can also consider becoming a Merit Badge counselor to share your love for your own favorite topics or hobbies.

On behalf of Troop 89, I would like to thank you for taking the time to learn about us and for those of you with Scouts in our Troop, thanks for trusting us with this precious resource.

Yours in Scouting,

Harish Chandra Gupta - Troop 89 Scoutmaster

Have any questions? Email me by clicking here.