SCOUTING

​​​We LOVE welcoming ALL types and levels of Scouts to The New Weis Center!

We offer many types of programs and badge classes, guided nature hikes, facility rentals for special events, a firecircle, and overnight camping. We also have projects - large and small - perfect for your troop's service projects (including Eagle). If you are interested in a program that is not currently scheduled, or would like to reserve a facility for your troop's event, please let us know!​

Coming in 2019: ​Scout Appreciation Day at Weis!

We greatly appreciate all the support and work the Scouts have done at Weis over the past two years! To say "thank you", we are inviting troop leaders, scouts and their families (ALL scout levels and ages) to join us for an afternoon of fun! Whether you and your troop have been involved with Weis already, or are interested in learning more about how the Center can be part of your scout programs, we hope you will come! We will also showcase Scout projects that have been completed at Weis and discuss some that are in the works - plus a few ideas for future projects.

  • See completed Eagle Scout and other service projects
  • Enjoy snacks at the campfire circle
  • Scavenger Hunt and Geocaching
  • Field Games
  • Ping Pong
  • Gaga Ball
  • Nature Crafts
  • Guided Hike at 1:30pm

No registration is required, but we would appreciate an RSVP to tmstrube@optonline.net or kzelinski@aol.com.

Tent Camping, Campfires and other Events:

  • Weis offers facilities for Scout group campfire circles, overnight camping and other gatherings. In addition to a large camping area and a firecircle with seating, we have a covered pavilion with picnic tables, a gaga ball pit, ping-pong, volleyball, and a large recreation field. Contact Us for more info or to reserve!
  • Please DO NOT bring any outside firewood, as this may contribute to the spread of destructive invasive insects. Three recently introduced insects – Emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, and Sirex woodwasp – are wood-infesting species that can be transported long distances in firewood. Once transported into new areas they can become established and kill local trees. There is an ample supply of firewood and kindling onsite. 
  • Please review our Ground Rules and Camping & Campfire Policies before reserving, and be sure to follow them once onsite.​

​​​​​​​​Boy Scouts of America (BSA)

Merit Badges:

  • Sign up for one of our scheduled badge classes, or request one for your troop on the date of your choice!
  • Contact us for information, or to request a specific badge class.
  • Boy Scout merit badges are taught by experienced instructor Tom Tarbutton and Weis Trustee Tom Strube.
  • We can offer the following Boy Scout Eagle Badges: Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Cooking, Personal Management, and Emergency Preparedness, plus other badges such as Geocaching.


Upcoming Merit Badge Programs:

​​More classes coming in Spring 2019

​>> Contact us to request a specific badge class or schedule a private class for your troop (minimum 6 scouts).


​Service Projects:
Scouts have completed several helpful projects at Weis, including parking lot and grounds cleanups and clean-out of outbuildings. We are also grateful to be chosen as the site for many Eagle Scout projects!

Future Eagle projects - just waiting for the right Scout: 

  • Renovate 1-room cabins (we have over a dozen!)
  • ​Build and provide picnic tables (can be built from a kit obtainable from Lowe's/Home Depot)
  • Renovate and relocate the firecircle area, including fire safety signage
  • Build a woodshed for the firecircle area
  • Build and provide benches
  • Renovate space under back deck
  • Install Clivus Multrum composting toilet

In-process Eagle projects:

  • 2018 Chris DeMaio: Troop 132, Wanaque, NJ; cabin rehab (starts fall 2018)
  • 2018: Chris Ahearn - Troop 49, Oakland, NJ: cabin #162 rehab, including cleaning, repairing, painting (starts fall 2018)
  • 2018: Nick Wheeler - design and build rustic butterfly garden fence (fall 2018)

Completed Eagle projects include:

  • 2018: Matt Scherreik - Troop 388, Pompton Lakes, NJ; latrine rehab
  • 2018: Ethan Dispoto - Troop 76, Ringwood, NJ; rehab cabin #163, including clean and re-stain floor, paint walls, trim and door, landscaping
  • 2018: Jeremy Strube - Troop 132, Wanaque, NJ; build and install a gaga ball pit
  • 2017: Gryffin Leeds - Troop 76, Ringwood, NJ; rehab/repair cabin #167
  • 2017: Peter Pascarella - Troop 213, Saddle Brook, NJ; build and install 10 bat houses
  • ​2016 Joseph Scherreik - Troop 388, Pompton Lakes, NJ; build information and welcome kiosk


Cub Scouts

We can schedule many programs upon request, including the following adventures. Just give us a date and the program, and we'll set it up!

  • Webelos 1 - Walkabout, Earth Rocks (elective)
  • Bears - Fur, Feathers, Ferns
  • Wolves Paws in the Path



Girl Scouts/Brownies/Junior

Upcoming Programs

Register at: www.gsnnj.org; registration opens 45 days prior to class


Launch It!

Earn your Think Like an Engineer badge and solve problems just like an engineer would. Use the design thinking process and do a hands-on design challenge activity. Finally, learn the difference between a catapult and trebuchet, and launch something! Girls will brainstorm, design, make, and test their own trebuchets.

  • Brownie/Junior:  Sat, May 4; 2 sessions: 10:00-12:30, 1:00-3:30

Two Scoops of Science:

​Earn your Think Like a Scientist badge while exploring the science of ice cream! Girls will discuss the importance of water in its different forms and take a hike to see the stream. Girls will learn about the chemical reaction that happens when ice cream is formed and the molecular chemistry terms behind it. After, girls will lead their own experiment and create their own ice cream!

  • Brownies:  Sat, Mar 2; 2 sessions: 10:00-12:30, 1:00-3:30
  • Juniors: Sun, Mar 3; 2 sessions: 10:00-12:30, 1:00-3:30


We can also provide Brownies with the Outdoor Adventurer or Outdoor Art Creator badge. Just choose a date and we'll schedule it for your troop! ​​We would love to host your Journey weekend, camping trip/firecircle or other badge programs! 


Service Projects:

Scouts have completed several projects at the Center, including building much needed new picnic tables, grounds and garden cleanups, and planting flower bulbs. We are grateful for the service projects that have been completed by many troops, including:

  • Girl Scout Daisy Troop #6492 & #6536 (Ringwood, NJ)
  • Ringwood Girl Scout Service Unit
  • Girl Scout Troop 96 (Ringwood, NJ)

​​There is lots more to be done, so please let us know if your troop would like to help!

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We also welcome and provide programs for Homeschool and Baden-Powell scouting groups!​