Every year we meet at Stewart Park for our family picnic and Summer Court of Honor

It is a great event for all ages

Senior Patrol Leader Sam and assistants John and Adam

Adam and Sam Salute the incoming Stars and Stripes and troop colors

Various items are lost and found during the scouting year

Candles on the log signify elements of the scout law

All stand for the pledge of allegiance

Sam presents Chris with the first of many merit badges

Cycling merit badge for DC

Justin and Sam get their coin collecting merit badge

Kenny wearing his Order of the Arrow sash

John, Justin, Sam and Adam

Communications merit badge for DC, Sam and Benjamin

The first rank in scouting for these boys

Tenderfoot rank for Brandon, Jeremy, Miles, Chris and Alan

Scouts and proud parents line up to receive the new rank

2nd class for Balazs, Kevin, Ian and Chris

Kenny and DC both earned the rank of Star Scout

Benjamin is congratulated on his Eagle Scout rank

Commendations received include from President G.W. Bush and First Lady Laura

Other commendations include the United States Senate and NY state Senate

Jery thanks Senior Patrol Leader Sam for his work in running the troop

Jery presents a copy of the Scout Fieldbook in appreciation

ASM Robin recognizes the work of Den Chiefs Istvan and DC

The troop instructors and guides were congratulated for their great work

New Senior Patrol Leader Justin with assistants John and Adam

Swearing responsibility for their new offices

Senior year scouts K2, Benjamin and Nolan

Pack Leader and ASM Robin is recognized by Ben Brown

Ben presents Mari Tiwari with the district Sparkplug award

Mari thanks the scouts, parents and committee for making Troop 2 such a great unit

New committee chair Mike Thompson thanks Mari for all her work

Presenting a symbol of our appreciation

Mari also received some kayaking gear, including this PFD modeled by Jesse

Troop 2 Scoutmasters line up for recognition

Honor patrol DC, Alan, John and Kenny after the ceremony

5 mile hike at the top of Robert Treman State Park

Chris found a snake

Spectacular Lucifer's Falls

Scouts at the Newfield Glen overlook

A good lashings exercise well under way

Robin overseeing progress

The 7 mile backpacking crew

The scouts made a bench

Mike Thompson tried it our for size and durability

Jeremy and Ian starting to put up their tent

Mission accomplished

Eating dinner on the bench

A happy crew of benchmakers

Sleeping on the project

Waking up on your own work - satisfying

Everything has to be taken apart at some stage

Smiling faces on a gorgeous day for a hike

This is a beautiful place to walk

The water's erosion is clear to see

Some breathtaking views

What a lovely weekend event

Honor guard present the colors to open the ceremony

Plenty of people turned out to celebrate with Benjamin

Scoutmaster Jery, Justin and Sam

Building a wall to emphasize the Scout Law

Past Troop 2 Eagles bring Benjamin to the front

Jery masters the ceremonies

Proud father, Robert Miller, recounts Benjamin's progress through life and scouting

Obviously enjoying the evening - Benjamin Miller

Presenting the Eagle rank is Ben Brown

Congratulations Benjamin

Benjamin gets a pin for both parents, first is Dad

And then a second pin for Mom, Mary Ann

On behalf of the troop committee, Mari presents an Eagle Scout neckerchief

Mark Tate reads commendations from civic and federal dignitaries

Ben Carcich makes the Eagle Scout charge to Benjamin with other Eagles lined up behind.

Well done from Ben

Benjamin thanks his parents, scoutmasters and any other mentors on his road so far

The honor guard retire the colors

Celebration cake says it all

Fire Lieutenant Dave Burbank introduces the special program

Handing over the floor to Forest Ranger Joan

The Ranger explains her job and some of the rescues they get involved in

Scouts, leaders and parents listened carefully

A good turnout for this special program

There are many things the Forest Rangers have to be aware of in a rescue situation

Age, appearance, medical history and other factors come into play

Lots of questions were asked by the scouts

Sometimes young children hide from their rescuers

It is important to search very carefully

Joan lines the boys up to show the grid search method

The line moves from left to right

Aseem and Alden look on carefully

This system reduces the chances of missing any clues

Heading out to practice searching

Joan demonstrates the techniques

These scouts were the first ones to try the system

Details are important, sometimes it is the difference between life and death

Scouts line up to practice their new found knowledge

Scouts watching and waiting their turn to practice

The line can be spread on open ground

In wooded areas the line has to close up to avoid missing clues

A last minute run through by Dave and Joan

The scouts organize into patrols for the activity

The search pattern covers ground quite thoroughly

ASM Tim Nord offers the Scoutmaster's moment

Troop 2 among several hundred scouts at the Camporee in Lisle, NY

Organizer Mike Brown did a great job setting everything up

A very impressive campfire for the evening

Songs, skits and stories get told around the fire

Balazs by firelight

Balazs, Alan and Brandon enjoying the fire

The boys gather round as Chris holds a Salamder

The local beavers made a fancy shape of this tree stump

The scouts gather at Hills Creek State Park, lake in the background

An amazing beaver chewed tree stump at Hill's Creek State Park, PA

Aseem, Brandon, Alan, David and Balazs cooking with a Dutch oven

Istvan and Sam and their open fire meal

The Trojan patrol seem happy with their dinner preparations

Alison, Steve, Mark and Mike on the west rim of the canyon

Jery and everyone else having a great time around the camp fire

The bike trail runs for 47 miles along Pine Creek, downhill both ways!

Sometimes referred to as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania

We saw an immature Bald Eagle riding on thermals

Kenny, Steve and Sam after our rafting trip

Fearless Mark and Mike on a rocky outcrop on the canyon rim

Mark moving some gear at our great campsite

Father (Steve) and son (Kenny) overlooking the canyon

Tony and Sam enjoying the warm sun

Steve, Kenny, Mike and Alan at the river's edge

Jery and Brandon

Rick, Aseem, Alison, Mark and Kevin ready to go again

Everyone together at the end of a fun day

Scouts and parents all take part in the Youth Protection program

Lots of questions asked and many topics were discussed

The decks are cleared, it is time for crab football

It is a fast game and seems to be loads of fun

The ball gets booted high and clear

A scramble in the middle of the playing area

The ball seems to be coming straight for the camera

In the end the score was 2 goals each - a worthy draw

First, all the gear has to be unloaded

Everybody is kitted up and ready to get going

John at the head of the line

Brandon, DC, John and Justin enjoying lunch

Hiking up from the lowlands