Pioneer District

Pioneer District is the eastern-most district in Patriots’ Path Council. It consists primarily of Union County and the northeast quarter of Somerset County; see the list of towns below. 

*As of 12/31/2025 – Pioneer District serves approximately 2375 youth, 956 adult volunteers in 67 units.

Basking Ridge, Berkeley Heights, Bernardsville, Clark, Cranford, Dunellen, Elizabeth, Fanwood, Garwood, Gillette, Green Brook Township, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden, Long Hill Township, Lyons, Meyersville, Millington, Mountainside, Murray Hill, New Providence, North Plainfield, Plainfield, Pluckemin, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Springfield, Stirling, Summit, Union, Vauxhall, Warren, Watchung, Westfield, Winfield Park

District Committee Chair (Jim Agar) – [email protected]
District Commissioner (Lea Sheridan) – [email protected]
Activities Chair ([Open Position]) – [email protected]
Advancement Chair (Ed Klug) –[email protected]
Camping Chair (Paul Muzeni) – [email protected]
Civic Service
([Open Position]) –  [email protected]
Chair FOS (Terry Dwyer) – [email protected]
Fund Development Chair (Terry Dwyer) – [email protected]
Health & Safety Chair (Mike Cantone) – [email protected]
MB Dean Membership Chair (Jane Maloney) – [email protected]
Membership Chair ([Open Position]) – [email protected]
Nominating Chair (Sage Lichtenwalner) – [email protected]
Popcorn Kernel ([Open Position]) – [email protected]
Recognition Chair (Andy Koneski) – [email protected]
Training Chair (Bruce Monticello) – [email protected] 

Important Updates Notices

Fall is when most prospective families start searching BeAScout.org for a Scouting unit near them. Your pin is often their very first look at your unit — and if it’s out of date, they may never find you.

The good news: updating your pin takes just a few minutes. This page (https://www.scouting.org/pin/) walks you through what to check and links to full instructions for making the update.

Please click the links below to find out more about the upcoming Membesrhip fee changes:

Note: Before providing your feedback on the Pioneer site, we encourage you to take a look at the other district sites here.

We would like to hear your thoughts if you find the Pioneer site useful and maybe other things you would like to see listed on the site; please provide your feedback using this link: Pioneer District Website Feedback or scanning the QR Code below.

We appreciate you taking the time to provide us your feedback.

Family Assistance Request, Incentive Programs & Discounts:

Every Scout should be given an opportunity to take part in Scouting. The Family Assistance Program has been established so Scout families in need will find Scouting within reach. Learn more here: Family Assistance Request

National BSA Resource: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety

Scouting is endeavoring to build a culture of safety. Including a safety moment as part of the daily camp program will help foster this culture of safety and reiterate to leaders and members that safety planning and preparation should be part of all Scouting activities.

A few well planned, impactful safety moments integrated into the program will be more effective than having so many that they become a burden or annoyance.

Each unit activity could have one Safety Tip, depending on what they are doing and where they are going, such as:

    • Keeping your footing on a trail
    • Washing hands before cooking
    • Dealing with heat
    • Dealing with cold
    • Avoiding sweepers on a river canoe trip
    • Safe hiking on an active roadway

For Troops, the SPL could delegate this to any Scout**, and for Packs any adult could be assigned.

If a Safety Moment is for Adult Audience Only, it will be indicated at the top of the Safety Moments page:

** Note this is a Tenderfoot Requirement


November – World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
Scouting adventures take our Scouts on the road a good bit. Planning those trips is important to protect all our Scouts.

We would like to share with you all Austin’s Story. Austin’s story comes to us as a Scouting America Safety Moment called Roadside Fatality (https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/roadside-fatality-austins-story/). We encourage you to share with all your adults who help provide transportation for all Scouting events, as the content of this safety moment is for adult audiences only.

Please find more information on Distracted Driving on Scouting America’s Safety Moment page: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/distracted-driving/

In Scouting, we will not compromise the safety of our youth, volunteers and employees. Safety is a value that must be taught and reinforced at every opportunity. We are all responsible and must hold each other accountable to provide a safe environment for all participants.

It is critical to be familiar with and utilize the BSA’s safety resources, including all of the following topics that will help your unit prepare for fun and safe adventures! The BSA resources listed below can be accessed through our website: ppcbsa.org/scoutingsafely.

Check out the following:

    • Scouting Safely Flyer here
    • Letter from the Council Executives, click here

Click the image for full view

Click the image for full view

District Roundtable Agendas/Announcements:

Roundtable will be held the first Wednesday of each month from September to June (unless otherwise noted); see the 2026-2027 school year schedule below.

Join instructions: https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/84170684902/invitations?signature=7ox64J2DmIO0X5e3BwukJAdyqw-aSlpSLldEmaW7Fzo

Add to your calendar: Use the following link to download and import the invite to your calendar [iCalendar (.ics); https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZAscOmupj8jGtYjRh52aoKTOmk2JkGo6YY3/ics?icsToken=DK5_2A7oX9GvF3UdWgAALAAAADVf919UNL–hNVGJz71Zt3z09jrAMA_aieEhmjTSYS0eMolWaUODVi5mjGQzxtNlkPuScrZuFDYh6PJvTAwMDAwMQ&meetingMasterEventId=WaUrk1kYS1CZ1lnHrt-xeg]

Monthly Zoom Meeting Direct Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84170684902?pwd=8R8bC5tHbxmEYbwtb4t54XpHJcT1xC.1

Meeting ID: 841 7068 4902
Passcode: 825038
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One tap mobile:

  • +13092053325,,84170684902# US
  • +13126266799,,84170684902# US (Chicago)

Wed, Oct 7th 7:30pm:

In lieu of the October RT, there will be a multi District Council Town Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 6th (click here to attend)

Wed, June 2nd 7:30pm: Location: Cranford United Methodist Church: 201 Lincoln Avenue East

Wed, May 5th 7:30pm: Location: Cranford United Methodist Church: 201 Lincoln Avenue East

Wed, Apr 7th 7:30pm: Location: Cranford United Methodist Church: 201 Lincoln Avenue East

Wed, Mar 3rd 7:30pm: Location: Cranford United Methodist Church: 201 Lincoln Avenue East

Wed, Feb 3rd 7:30pm: Location: Cranford United Methodist Church: 201 Lincoln Avenue East

Wed, Jan 6th 7:30pm: Location: Cranford United Methodist Church: 201 Lincoln Avenue East

Wed, Dec 2nd 7:30pm: Location: Cranford United Methodist Church: 201 Lincoln Avenue East

Wed, Nov 4th 7:30pm: Location: Cranford United Methodist Church: 201 Lincoln Avenue East

Wed, Sep 2nd 7:30pm (Location: Cranford United Methodist Church: 201 Lincoln Avenue East)

View Previous Roundtable Announcements

Announcements: 

Welcome back to the 2026 – 2027 Scouting Season!
 
Our Pioneer District September Roundtable will be Wednesday, September 2nd, at 7:30. And the Roundtable is coming back to a venue that may be familiar to our seasoned Scouters – the Cranford United Methodist Church: 201 Lincoln Avenue East. Please enter from the parking lot on Walnut Avenue.
 
While it would be great for everyone to join us in person, there is also an online portion to be able to listen in by going to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84170684902?pwd=8R8bC5tHbxmEYbwtb4t54XpHJcT1xC.1
 
Our agenda will include the usual Safety Moments and upcoming events, we will have a specific focus on Membership: both Recruiting and Retention. Please come ready to share what recruiting activities your unit has planned for the fall, and any questions you may have about membership.
 

Yours in Scouting,

Lea Sheridan
Pioneer District Commissioner
201-562-4754

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Monthly Zoom Meeting Direct Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84170684902?pwd=8R8bC5tHbxmEYbwtb4t54XpHJcT1xC.1

Meeting ID: 841 7068 4902
Passcode: 825038
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One tap mobile:

  • +13092053325,,84170684902# US
  • +13126266799,,84170684902# US (Chicago)

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Special Announcements:

NYLT:
2026 NYLT Save the Dates flyer, more information here

Next Month’s Roundtable: Wednesday, October 4th – 7:30PM

General Scouting Events - Announcements

2026 Events

  • 10/9-11: Pioneer Districts BSA Camporee “Mission Possible”

Register for Pioneer District Fall BSA Camporee 

Your Mission, should you choose to Accept it…

Is to Register!!

Operation: Mission Possible is officially underway, and registration is now open for the Pioneer District Fall BSA Camporee, taking place October 9-11, 2026, at Winnebago Scout Reservation.

Assemble your patrols, review your gear, and begin planning for a weekend filled with fun, teamwork, and exciting challenges. This operation promises opportunities to test your skills, complete important objectives, and create lasting memories with fellow Scouts.

The mission is officially underway!

As the event approaches, additional intel and further classified information will be shared in time. But for now, your objective is simple: mark your calendars and prepare for a weekend of fun!

Register here

  • 2026 NYLT Save the Dates Flyer:

2027 Events

  • 1/23/2027 (9-12:30pm) – Pioneer District Recognition & Fellowship Breakfast: 
    • Recognition Breakfast Flyer, view flyer here
    • District Awards Procedure (nominations must be received by Sunday, 11/15/2026), more info here

Upcoming Events:

10/9-11: Pioneer Districts BSA Camporee “Mission Possible”, register here

NYLT Training: 11/5 thru 11/8 [Weekend 1] & 11/13 thru 11/15 [Weekend 2], register here

Announcements:

Know2Protect™ Public Awareness Campaign: BSA Joins Forces with the Department of Homeland Security, read more here

Schedule your Unit’s Friends of Scouting Presentation: Email Terry Dwyer the Pioneer FOS Chair: [email protected]

Recruiting & Membership site: more information, here

2027 Philmont Crews forming now, more information here

2025-2027 Strategic Plan: more information here

Council Information / Events:

Newsletters:

    • Council e-Newsletters, click here
    • Signs-up! Newsletters, click here

Check It Out:

Patriots’ Path Council Events Calendar List: View and filter events here

    • Patriots’ Path Council Chess Club, more information here
    • Historic trails within our council area, allow Scouts to explore New Jersey’s rich history, more information here

Council Events:

Planned Upcoming:

    • 10/13/2026, Tues – Scouts America 43rd Morris County Golf Classic (Morris County Golf Club), register here
    • 10/14/2026, Wed – Scouts America 2026 Good Scout Awards Dinner at Galloping Hill Caterers (Galloping Hill Caterers), register here
    • 10/20/2026, Tues – Scouts America 2026 Fall Sporting Clays Shoot (Hudson Farm Club – Andover), register here
    • 10/22/2026, Thurs – Scouts America 20th Annual Berkley Heights Good Scout Awards Dinner (The Primavera Agency). register here
    • 11/10/2026. Tues – Scouts America 10th Annual Awards Dinner (Canoe Brook Country Club), register here
    • 11/25/2026, Wed – Young Alumni Social (By Invitation Only), more information here

Upcoming Events Not Yet Scheduled (Note: Subject to Change):

    • 11/4/2026, Wed – Scouts America, America 250th Anniversary Gala (Liberty House)
    • 11/13/2026, Fri – Scouts America 2026 Tribute to Women Awards Luncheon (Morris County Golf Club – Morristown)
    • 11/17/2026, Tues – Scouts America Scouting Forward Dinner / 2027 FOS Kick-off Dinner (Park Avenue Club)
    • 12/4/2026, Fri – Scouts America 2026 Tribute to Women Luncheon (Baltisorl Golf Club)

Training - Scouts Deserve Trained Leaders

Training: Council Training Home Page: (https://ppcscouting.org/training/)

Trained to Make a Difference:
Every scout deserves a trained leader, w
hat does it mean to be a Trained Leader? Click here to read more.

*IMPORTANT: Those who are BALOO trained for an event must now be a registered adult member of BSA

Hazardous Weather Training – To be considered TRAINED, you must take the course every 2 years through your my.scouting.org account.

Training Awards Forms: (https://www.scouting.org/training/training-awards-and-recognition/)

Upcoming Trainings::

10/24 & 10/25: Woodsman’s Thong 2026, more information and registration here
NYLT: 11/5 thru 11/8 (Weekend 1) & 11/13 thru 11/15 (Weekend 2), register here
11/20 CPR Training, registration and future dates here
11/21 & 22 – Wilderness First Aid (WFA) training, registration and future dates here
Other Useful Information:

Council & Key National Policies, read more here

Scout Shops: View store hours, shop uniforms/books, etc. here

PPC Adventure Program (Lots of great activities still available) More information: https://www.ppcadventures.org/home

High Adventure Program: https://ppcscouting.org/Programs/Adventure/

Updated Guide to Safe Scouting – More information: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/toc/

Certificate of Insurance (COI) – (They expire on March 1st, read more here)
Email: [email protected] for renewals
For new COI requests: Procedure/Explanation, fillable request form here

SAFE Checklist – Scouts and their parents expect all Boy Scouts of America activities to be conducted safely. To ensure the safety of participants, the Boy Scouts of America expects leaders to use the four points of SAFE when delivering the Scouting program. More information: SAFE Checklist

District Resources:

You can find Council documents, flyers and other useful information here: https://ppcscouting.org/districts/pioneer/pioneerdistrict_info

Click image above to see the real patch

Get Invovled

Get Social

Pioneer Key-3

District Committee Chair
Jim Agar
[email protected]

District Commissioner

Lea Sheridan
[email protected]

District Executive

Brian Day
[email protected]

(973)765-9322 x250