Bronxville Troop 5 Scouts Brave the Elements, Build Skills at Durland Campout
By Robert W. Deichert Jr., Scoutmaster, Bronxville Troop 5
This past weekend, five Scouts from Bronxville Troop 5 headed to Durland Scout Reservation for an early-season campout that tested their resilience, built real skills, and reinforced what Scouting is all about: leadership, teamwork, and learning by doing.
The weather didn't make it easy. Heavy rain rolled in Friday night and soaked the campsite. It turned cold quickly. Saturday gave us a break with some sun, just enough for a great hike and time outdoors, before another round of rain hit at 3 AM Sunday.
For two of the Scouts, this was their very first tent camping trip. Tough conditions, but they handled it well. They learned how to set up camp, stay dry, and work together as a patrol.
Learning by Doing
The focus of the weekend was simple: build foundational skills and make progress.
Scouts worked on:
-Knife, axe, and saw safety
-Fire building
-Outdoor cooking
-Navigation and hiking
They planned and cooked four meals themselves. They completed a 2.5-mile hike and navigated it on their own. Two Scouts earned their Scout rank, which is a meaningful milestone and a great sign of progress.
Two others also attended a nearby merit badge college, continuing to build skills beyond the campsite.
Scout-Led Leadership
Troop 5 is Scout-led, and that showed all weekend.
Patrol Leader Teddy Deichert led his patrol through cooking, organizing the campsite, and keeping things moving. Other Scouts stepped in and supported each part of the process. Brady Johnson took responsibility for cooking for the adult leaders, which is not a small job and he handled it well.
The adults were there to guide, but the Scouts led. That's how it should work.
Beyond the Campout
Scouting doesn't stop when the campout ends.
This weekend, Aaron Baker attended the Order of the Arrow National Leadership Seminar, continuing to grow as a leader at a higher level.
Next weekend, four Troop 5 Scouts will attend the first of two National Youth Leadership Training sessions. The course is being run locally by former Troop 5 Scoutmaster Jon Denfeld, which is something we're proud of.
Why It Matters
Getting kids off screens and into the outdoors matters.
They're learning real skills, the kind they might otherwise only watch online. More importantly, they're building confidence, learning how to lead, and figuring out how to handle challenges.
And it's practical. Scouts learn first aid and how to respond when things go wrong. You'll be glad there's a Scout around if someone gets hurt.
Looking Ahead
We have a strong spring lined up.
Scouts will be heading to:
-The U.S. Naval Academy National Eagle Scout Association STEM Jamboree
-The West Point Scout Camporee
And each summer, the troop attends a full week of summer camp together, which is a highlight of the year and a chance for Scouts to deepen skills, earn merit badges, and build lasting friendships.
Join Troop 5
Bronxville Troop 5 is always looking for Scouts who want to get outside, learn real skills, and be part of a team.
We meet weekly at 6:30 PM on Tuesdays at the Bronxville Scout Cabin and camp throughout the year.
If you're looking for something that builds confidence, independence, and leadership, this is it.
Community Service Organizations Directory
HOME & GARDEN
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not-for-profit organization administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. The mission of the BBC is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of the village of Bronxville, with an emphasis on the downtown business district.
Click here to learn more
Boulder Ledge Garden Club
Founded in 1966, the Boulder Ledge Garden Club is rooted in a mission to inspire a deeper appreciation and love for gardening and flower arranging. The club is dedicated to fostering and promoting interest and knowledge in gardening.
The Club maintains Bronxville’s Bicentennial Park and other civic gardens. In 2019–2020 the club raised $18,000 to replace trees in the village, reflecting its active role in community beautification. It also holds garden therapy projects and educational garden trips for members.
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.m or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bronxville Giving Garden
The Bronxville Giving Garden is a community-centered garden that donates organic produce to Eastchester Community Action Partnership in Tuckahoe and Community Service Associates in Mount Vernon. The garden is also a gathering place where school children and volunteers can discover the joy of tending plants and growing food.
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bronxville Green Committee
The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. It proposes and implements environmentally sustainable programs in our community.
You can contact them HERE.
SCOUTING
Bronxville Boy Scouts
The village of Bronxville has a long tradition of scouting. “The troops and packs of Bronxville have maintained the finest scouting organizations and have taught the boys of the Bronxville area to be leaders and outstanding members of the local, national and global communities.”
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information
Bronxville Girls Scouts
The Girls Scouts is “the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.” In Girl Scouts, “girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouts, they can grow courageous and strong.”
Here is more information about girl scouts.
HISTORY
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
Inspired by the highly successful Bronxville Centennial Celebration in 1998, the Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded to record and preserve Bronxville's history and life in the village today.
BRONXVILLE SCHOOL
Bronxville School Foundation
The Bronxville School Foundation, founded in 1991, is a non-profit organization independent from the school with the sole purpose of supporting the school.
The mission of the Bronxville School Foundation is to enhance the quality of public education in our community by engaging the support and energies of educators, citizens, parents, students and alumni.
The Foundation awards grants for projects
CLICK HERE to learn more.
LECTURES, EXHIBITS, CONCERTS
Bronxville Women's Club
The Bronxville Women’s Club offers lectures, exhibits and concerts. It also has a beautiful clubhouse which is available for rental for events.
135 Midland Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3252
Concordia Conservatory
Concordia Conservatory, a preeminent center for music education in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, is a welcoming community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music.
The Conservatory’s mission is to inspire, instruct, and enrich lives through music offering excellence in education and performance.
CLICK HERE for more information.
COUNSELING
Counseling Center
Founded in 1971, the mission of the Counseling Center “is to provide a wide range of psychotherapeutic and counseling services to individuals, couples and families by a staff of highly trained, experience and dedicated psychotherapists.
The Counseling Center
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-3388
www.counselingcenter.org
SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM
Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester & Tuckahoe
The mission of the Community Fund is “to support broad social services in Bronxville 10708, Eastchester and Tuckahoe through grants and technical support to local agencies and community projects. All money raised here in our community stays here in our community.”
15 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-8808
www.thecommunityfund.org
Junior League of Bronxville
The Junior League of Bronxville is “an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”
Rotary Club of Bronxville
The Rotary Club of Bronxville is part of a national network of 1.25 million problem-solvers. They see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
READING & LEARNING
Friends of the Bronxville Library
The Friends of the Bronxville Library is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to focus attention on the “Library’s services, facilities and needs” as well as sponsor projects and provide materials that are beyond the reach of the Library's regular budget and perform other services.
SENIORS
Gramatan Village
Gramatan Village is a unique community model offering programs, services and social connections that help members continue to live independently in their homes as they age. In addition, GV offers one-on-one consultations and counseling with our experienced staff to guide members through life’s transitions.
Senior Citizens of Bronxville
Senior Citizens of Bronxville is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and programs to seniors within the 10708 zip code area. “Programs cover a wide range of activities from educational seminars and cultural enrichment to community services, bridge classes and exercise.”
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