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BSA TROOP 37 NEWSLETTER
Volume 12 | Issue 2 | February 2026 - June 2026
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STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK
SCOUTMASTER’S MINUTE
By Scoutmaster Rob Pfuhler
It was another exciting year for Troop 37 as we continued our American History Tour with trips to Gettysburg and Valley Forge. From walking the Gettysburg battlefield and learning about the turning points of the Civil War to exploring Valley Forge and seeing firsthand where Washington’s army endured that difficult winter, these experiences brought history to life for the Scouts.
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We will continue this in the fall when we visit our nation’s capital to hike the Baden-Powell Trail—named for Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement—and visit numerous historic landmarks. The trip will include time exploring monuments and memorials, as well as opportunities to learn more about the foundations of our country and the role of leadership in shaping it.
We also have a wilderness survival trip, a backpacking trip, and more on the calendar, giving Scouts the chance to build skills outdoors while continuing to explore new places together. Next year is going to be great - tell a friend.
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Each of these trips is designed to give Scouts a chance to experience history and the
outdoors in a hands-on way, whether they are tracing historic routes, navigating new terrain, or learning practical skills along the way. These shared experiences continue to
be a meaningful part of what makes the program so memorable.
Have a great summer.
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“Try and leave this world a little better than you found it.” — Robert Baden‑Powell
BSA Troop 37 | Volume 12 | Issue 2 | Feb 2026- Jun 2026
VALLEY FORGE
By Asadbek Karimov
My trip to Valley Forge Scout Camp started on Friday when we drove there and set up our campsite. In the early morning, our troop went to the flag ceremony, and I was lucky enough to be chosen to clip the flag onto the halyard and pull it up. Watching the American flag climb against the cloudy sky made me feel patriotic, especially with the camp located near Revolutionary War battle zones.
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After lunch, our patrol headed to the valley for a treasure hunt using only a drawn map and compass - no phones. We argued at times since some compasses were broken and not everyone was experienced, but we figured it out and found all the checkpoints, including a distant one. At one stop, camp staff had a fire going where we made ash bread and grilled venison steak bites, which I ended up really liking.
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Back at camp, I helped cook dinner. Our patrol leader, Nick Ragucci, shared his recipe for
flavorful tacos. Later, a few of us were assigned KP, scrubbing pots and cleaning up. Even that was fun with everyone pitching in. As it got dark, the whole camp gathered around a bonfire where troops shared stories—some funny, some spooky.
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Sitting there watching the sparks rise, I realized this was exactly the kind of experience I’d
remember for a long time.
BSA Troop 37 | Volume 12 | Issue 2 | Feb 2026- Jun 2026
SUNY MARITIME CAMPOREE
By Ryan Duffy
SUNY Maritime Camporee took place at SUNY Maritime College in the Bronx. The college
provides career opportunities in Merchant Marine engineering. During the trip, we toured
the campus and learned about life and education there.
During the day, we attended an engineering class where we made a tin foil boat and tested
how many washers it could hold. We learned how different designs impact water displacement. Then we went to a boat simulator, where we worked as a team to navigate and learn about the ship’s instruments. The simulator was very realistic. Lastly, we toured the training vessel, the Empire State, which students use for hands on work and long trips. The ship was massive and impressive.
At Maritime, you can earn a deck or engineering license, which gives you an advantage if you join the Navy. During the campus tour, we also met students who shared what a typical day is like. They talked about the strong engineering program and the hands-on experience.
A cool part of the trip was that two former Troop 37 Eagle Scouts attend Maritime
(Matthew and Chris Phuler). Chris was our tour guide, and Matthew showed us the ship. It was great to have that connection. Scouting extends beyond Scouts.
BSA Troop 37 | Volume 12 | Issue 2 | Feb 2026- Jun 2026
QUAIL HILL
By Reese Changoo
I’ve always looked up to my brother—not because he’s tall, but because he’s a good role model, especially as a Scout. I’ve been looking forward to crossing over so I could be a Scout with him and now my dad. My first camping trip with the troop was 4/24–4/26 at Quail Hill. On Friday, we unloaded gear and SPL Chris gave tent assignments. We picked our spot, set up, played football for a bit, and went to bed.
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On Saturday, I was assigned breakfast and dinner, plus KP. Breakfast was home fries and cooked bologna—horrible combination. Afterward, Mr. Pfuhler worked with us on the orienteering course, and we earned patrol points. Lunch was cold cuts, which I don’t eat, so I skipped it. We then took a 5-mile hike, which I needed to rank up. We got lost at one point but used our map and compass to find our way back—completing all 5 miles in the rain.
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Later, I made dinner—curry chicken and noodles. As the rain got heavier, I changed out of my wet clothes and went to sleep. Sunday, we packed up, cleaned the campsite, had a quick snack, did rose, buds, and thorns, and headed home. This trip showed me that Scouts learn through challenges—it’s not just about having fun. Being a Scout is about leadership, teamwork, responsibility, and friendships.
BSA Troop 37 | Volume 12 | Issue 2 | Feb 2026- Jun 2026
EAGLE PROJECT
CROSSROADS FOUNDATION
By Stephen Avena
I began planning my Eagle Project by thinking about how I could make a meaningful impact
on my community. While researching ideas, I connected with Kim from the Crossroads Foundation, who was seeking volunteers to help clean and organize a storage space for donated items.
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Curious about their mission, I learned that the Crossroads Foundation supports women and families experiencing unplanned pregnancies by providing information, along with emotional and material support. They host fundraisers and collect donations such as food, clothing, diapers, and other essentials. However, one of their storage facilities had recently flooded, damaging many of these donations. During cleanup, Kim mentioned the need for elevated shelving units to safely store items and prevent future damage. I recognized this as a great opportunity for my Eagle Project, allowing me to provide a practical solution while supporting an important organization in the community.
The next step was completing the planning and approval process, which required more detail and organization than I expected. As part of this phase, I visited Lowe’s to discuss materials. After submitting the required paperwork, my request was approved, and they donated the wood needed. With materials secured, we moved on to construction. Although
we faced some measurement challenges, we worked together to adjust and complete the shelving units.
Overall, this project helped me develop leadership skills, overcome obstacles, and make a lasting contribution to the Crossroads Foundation and the community it serves.
BSA Troop 37 | Volume 12 | Issue 2 | Feb 2026- Jun 2026
EAGLE PROJECT
WATER COLLECTION &STORAGE SYSTEM
By Randy Changoo Jr
During my Eagle project I had the opportunity to lead 51 scouts which was nothing short of amazing. This was largely due to the strong support system I have from my parents, the meaningful connections I was able to build, and the sense of unity I witnessed throughout
the process. Normally, an Eagle project receives help primarily from members within one’s troop, but that was not the case for mine.
For this project, not only did I receive help from peers I had been scouting with for years, but also from individuals I had only recently met. I was fortunate enough to have the support of not only present scouts, leaders and parents of Troop 37 but also Eagle Scouts that had long been away from the troop. I was honored to have Scouts, parents and
leaders from Troops 587, 88, 662, and 414 also participating and helping me complete this project.
The willingness of so many people to come together and contribute their time and effort made the experience even more rewarding. These connections are a direct result of being an active member of the Order of the Arrow, as well as having the privilege of serving as the Aquwahunga Chapter Chief. This position not only provided me with valuable connections but also gave me a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be a leader. Through this project, I learned how to coordinate large groups, communicate effectively, and adapt to
unexpected challenges. It also reinforced the importance of collaboration and the impact
that a supportive community can have on achieving a common goal. Thank you all.
