Middletown Boy Scout Troop 594 recently set its 2021-22 agenda, recognized new Eagle Scouts and welcomed new Scouts.

The coming year's adventure plan focuses on historic trails. A day hike in Gettysburg is planned for October, as well as hikes on the Appalachian Trail, in Valley Forge, and around the region. A fall Scout skill weekend will be held at Hidden Valley Scout Reservation in Loysville, and summer camp is slated for July at Camp Rodney on the Chesapeake Bay. Scouts will also continue to work on the Aviation Merit Badge at Fort Indiantown Gap.

Troop 594 recently added three Eagle Scouts to the more than 50 already in its ranks. The new Eagles are Michael Astfalk Jr. from Bishop McDevitt High School, Caden Prisbe from Middletown Area High School, and Nathan Russo from Middletown Area High School.

Four members of Troop 594 recently became Arrowmen - members of the Order of the Arrow, the Boy Scouts of America's honor society. Avery Askins, George Belfer, Ben Rine, and Aiden Ruzansky earned this honor by showing Scout spirit through avid participation in camping and troop activities.

Scouts continue to advance in rank through troop programs and sponsored merit badges, such as the Aviation Merit Badge at Fort Indiantown Gap, and all scoutmasters are fully trained with the Boy Scouts of America and the Scouting Wood Badge program.

At this summer's camp, the troop was named an Honor Troop for its achievements, and it won the Simon Cowell Award for Trivia Night. Assistant Scoutmaster Shawn Haviland took first place in the belly flop contest, Scout John Michael Beaudet received the snorkeling award, and Malik Haviland was honored for the mile swim.

Also this year, the troop participated in both the Keystone Capital District's Spring Camporee and the New Birth of Freedom Council's Rendezvous Camp, which involved building a catapult for a camp-wide competition.

Two chicken barbecue fundraisers are planned at Dailey's Gulf, 200 E. Main St., Middletown, in conjunction with Cub Pack 113. The events will take place Saturday, Nov. 20, and Saturday, March 12, 2022, both from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

American Legion Post 594 in Middletown, which celebrated its centennial in 2020, sponsors Troop 594. For more information on the troop, contact Scoutmaster Michael Astfalk at mastfalk594@gmail.com.