Rip Van Winkle District, Scouting America

06/10/2026

📣 Program Update: Certain Previously Prohibited Activities Are Now Allowed

Scouting America has updated its guidance regarding several activities that were previously prohibited. The following activities are now permitted when conducted safely and appropriately:

✅ Laser tag
✅ Low-pressure water guns
✅ Pie in the face activities

*Laser Tag and Water Gun guidance coming soon

As with all Scouting activities, leaders are expected to apply the principles of SAFE Scouting and follow all applicable safety guidance.

For “pie in the face” activities, Scouting America has published a detailed SAFE Checklist that includes:
🥽 Required eye protection
🥧 Proper pie materials and application methods
🪑 Safety procedures to reduce injury risk
🧼 Cleanup and first aid considerations

Key reminders include:
• Only consenting adults may receive pies in the face
• Pies should be placed gently — never thrown
• Disposable aluminum tins or paper plates only
• Eye protection is required
• Participants must be seated during the activity

👉 Read the official Pie in the Face SAFE Checklist here:
https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/pie-in-the-face-safe-checklist/

Scouting America continues to emphasize that safety is not just about rules—it’s about creating a culture of supervision, assessment, fitness, skill, and appropriate equipment and environment.

06/09/2026

It's Popcorn time!!!

Monday June 29th! Come on out and learn about this years Amazing Popcorn sale! Earn 1% additional commission for attending. Not necessary to attend for the entire time 5pm - 8pm. We will host 2 presentations. Come to the early presentation and bring the family for dinner! or come and eat early, then come to the later presentation. Scout will each get a $15 free play card! Everything is Awesome, when you are selling POPCORN!

06/05/2026

Did you hear what's happening at Camp Tri-Mount Scout Reservation in 2027?! Mark your calendars now!

06/05/2026

Meet some great Scout alumni who are now in the secret service, and who serve as ambassadors for programs supporting youth safety.

06/04/2026

The Kingston RVW District Service Center is also looking for volunteers both in committees and assisting with digitizing and cataloging. The form link allows you to specify which district you are interested in.

Parents, Leaders, and Volunteers,

Every campout, training, advancement opportunity, district event, council program, and camp improvement happens because people step forward to share their time, skills, experience, and ideas. Our council, districts, and camps are supported by dedicated volunteers who help strengthen the program for every Scout across our 15-county council.

Right now, we are looking for more parents, leaders, alumni, and community members who are willing to get involved in ways that match their interests and availability.

One of the best ways to help is through a council or district committee. These committees are groups of volunteers who support specific areas of Scouting, such as activities, camping, training, advancement, membership, fundraising, communications, properties, and more. Some volunteers help plan events. Some help train leaders. Some assist with camp projects, promotion, paperwork, outreach, or behind-the-scenes support. Every role matters.

You do not need a special title or years of experience to help. You simply need a willingness to pitch in.

To make this easier, we created a short Committee Interest Form where you can tell us what you enjoy, what skills you have, and what areas of Scouting you may be interested in supporting. Whether you have a lot of time or only a little, your response helps us connect the right people with the right opportunities.

https://forms.gle/etA2yn6ktw3wXA3V9

There are also new opportunities for those interested in commissioner service. The minimum age requirement for commissioners has changed from 21 to 18, opening the door for more young adults and emerging leaders to support units, mentor leaders, and help strengthen Scouting at the local level.

You do not need a special title or years of experience to help. You simply need a willingness to pitch in.

We are also looking for volunteers who may be interested in helping at the Service Center a few hours a week or month with tasks such as scanning documents. This opportunity is available during regular Monday–Friday Service Center hours and can be done at any point during the year. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in helping with Service Center support.

Every response and every offer to help strengthens Scouting and keeps the adventure moving forward for youth across our council.

Thank you for everything you already do, and for considering one more way to help Scouting continue to grow and thrive

06/03/2026

June Scout Shop Hours:
6/3 - Closing at 3:30 pm.
6/4 - 10 am to 7 pm
6/5 - 10 am to 6 pm
6/10 - 10 am to 5:30 pm
6/11 - 10 am to 6:30 pm
6/12 - 10 am to 5:30 pm
6/17 - 10 am to 6 pm
6/18 - 10 am to 7 pm
6/19 - CLOSED
6/24 - 10 am to 6 pm
6/25 - 10 am to 7 pm
6/26 - 10 am to 6 pm

Due to staffing changes and shortages, our hours may change. Please monitor our Facebook for updated hours.

05/28/2026

The Scout Shop and Service Center will be closed May 28th from 12 to 1:30 pm.

Please monitor our page for scheduling changes. Thank you.

05/19/2026

We are Hiring at the Rip Van Winkle Scout Shop in Kingston
Looking for a reliable sales associate with clerical/office and/or retail background.
Please email [email protected] with a resume and availability.

05/15/2026

Scouting America’s National Annual Meeting brought together volunteers and leaders from across the country. In this , we’ll share some of our biggest Cub Scout takeaways, ideas and updates from the event.

04/23/2026

February Eagle Scout Project of the Month nomination.
Our 1st winner from the Rip Van Winkle District!!

As the winner for the month of February, Even Snyder from Unit 42 will be one of our nominees for the Glenn and Melinda Adams Eagle Scout Project of the Year.
In addition, as one of our Eagle Scout Project of the Month Winners, he will receive a special recognition for his honors at our Council Awards Dinner, which will be held next March.
Project Name: Restoring Freehold Baseball Dugouts
Total Hours Logged: 182
Beneficiary: Freehold Volunteer Fire Company
Brief Description of Project:
For my project, I tore down the rotting walls and trim of the two dugouts at the Freehold Fire Company baseball field. This field is used for the community little league, as well as for fire company activities. After the demolition I cleaned them out and put new boards and trim up and then painted the boards. Perhaps most importantly I took down boards with lead paint and covered up any other lead paint. This is imperative because this dugout is meant for kids to use and before my project they were getting exposed to lead paint but now, all lead paint is either concealed or it was removed with the board it was on. Finally, I installed gutters to the back side of both dugouts in order to help prevent further rotting from any water dripping off the top of the dugouts. This project makes the dugouts much more visibly appealing and most importantly safe

What does Scouting mean to you?
Scouting has been one of the most important parts of my life growing up. It has taught me responsibility, leadership, and the ability to work through challenges. Through Scouting, I have learned the value of service, kindness, and perseverance.

What is the best Scouting memory you have?
My favorite Scouting memory is cooking on campouts with my troop. Whether things went according to plan or not, those moments were always fun and brought everyone together. I will always have the teamwork skills and the ability to adapt that cooking at the campouts taught me.

What was your most favorite Merit Badge and why?
My favorite merit badge was Welding because it allowed me to learn a hands-on skill that I had never experienced before. Learning the skill and patience that welding required was very interesting to me and overall enjoyable.

What are your future plans?
I am currently studying biomedical engineering. I hope to continue challenging myself academically while using the leadership and problem-solving skills I developed through Scouting.

What is your advice to other Scouts looking to earn their Eagle Scout?
My advice is to stay consistent and not procrastinate. Choose a project that you care about and work with others to accomplish something meaningful.