JUNE/JULY 2025

Namaste, Scouts & Families!

Following up on our December/January, February/March, and April/May newsletters, please read on for the highlights so far, plus important updates and volunteer opportunities for the months ahead.

SCOUTMASTER’S CORNER

I am so proud that volunteering so that my daughter could be a Scout has turned into a 20-girls Troop (60G) here in New Delhi. This along with the boys’ Troop (60B), which is now over 40 Scouts strong, is such a great achievement!

It was certainly not the way I expected to experience India, but it has been so rewarding – the friendships and connections, the shared experiences, learning and challenging ourselves, adults and Scouts alike. Whether that be camping in the rain, hiking in the hills, rafting in the Ganges, rock climbing or serving the community, I am truly grateful for it all!

I am so proud of the leadership and growth I have seen in the Troop, including in my own girls who have become inspiring leaders and mentors for the younger Scouts while juggling the demands of high school.

I love witnessing each Scout participate in their own way — whether that be just having fun and making friends, challenging themselves with new skills and rank advancements, exploring a topic with merit badges, or pushing themselves outside their comfort zone in leadership roles.

While I am sad to be leaving Troop 60 and New Delhi, I know that the Troop is in good hands and the fun will continue!  And the bonus is that we are now connected to Scouts spread all over the world, sharing a love of the outdoors and living the Scout Oath and Law in all aspects of our lives.

I will leave you with words from the song I played at our last Troop Meeting:

Here is the chance to change the World.

Whatever you want to be, you can be.

Whatever you want to see, you can see.

You can be anything you want to be.

So keep on, keep on, keep on!

Keep on Scouting!
SM Alanna G

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

Save the Dates

The Troop 60 PLC and Committee are planning the following activities for next school year. Events take place at AES unless otherwise stated. Please check WhatsApp or with your Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) or Scoutmaster for any additional dates that may be more specific to your leadership role or patrol.

• June 23-28: Camp Tifie @ Utah, USA
• July 20-26: Camp Thailand @ Chiang Mai, Thailand
• August 12: Troop Meeting
• August 24: Court of Honor & Potluck
• August 31: Swim Test / Pool Party
• Sept. 9: Troop Meeting
• Sept. 23: Troop Meeting
• Sept. 25-28: Campout @ Rishikesh
• Oct. 7: Troop Meeting
• Oct. 14: Troop Meeting
• Oct. 21-26: Campout @ TBA
• Nov. 4: Troop Meeting
• Nov. 15: Eagle Gala Watch Party @ TBA
• Nov. 18: Troop Meeting
• Nov. 28-30: Campout
• Dec. 2: Troop Meeting
• Dec. 9: Troop Meeting
• Dec. 14: Court of Honor
• Jan. 13: Troop Meeting
• Jan. 20: Troop Meeting
• Jan. 24-26: Klondike Derby @ Camp Wild
• Feb. 3: Troop Meeting
• Feb. 17: Troop Meeting
• Feb. 20-22: Campout @ TBA
• March 10: Troop Meeting
• March 14: Orienteering @ Lodi Gardens
• March 17: Troop Meeting
• March 21-22: Campout
• April 11: Merit Badge Extravaganza
• April 14: Troop Meeting
• April 21: Troop Meeting
• April 24-26: Campout @ TBA
• May 5: Troop Meeting
• May 12: Troop Meeting
• May 17: Court of Honor
• July 22-31: National Jamboree @ West Virginia, USA

Summer 2025: Camps

A week at a Scouting America Summer Camp is a chance to spend time outdoors with fellow Scouts, make new friends, employ the Patrol Method, earn merit badges, and try new things. This summer, Troop 60 will be represented by Scouts and adult leaders at Camp Tifie in Utah and Camp Thailand, and by individual Scouts attending Camp Okami in Japan, Camp Avantura in Croatia, and more. We can’t wait to share photos and stories in our August/September newsletter — and for our returning Scouts, applaud them at the August 24 Court of Honor for the rank advancements and merit badges they’ve earned.

SCOUT LEADER SPOTLIGHT

Zoravar Sahni,
Senior Patrol Leader, 60B

• Birthday:  May 13, 2010
• What brought you to Scouting?  My mother told me about it, and after doing some research, I thought it looked interesting.
• What’s your current rank?  First Class 
• When did you join Troop 60?  Summer 2023
• What was the first merit badge you earned?  Scholarship
• What was your favorite merit badge to earn?  Camping — I’m currency working on it and it’s really interesting. 
• What was the most challenging merit badge to earn?  Scholarship
• Which merit badges do you still want to earn?  First Aid and Horsemanship
• What’s your goal for Troop 60 this year?  To have more campouts and increase involvement and advancement throughout the troop.
• What’s your favorite thing about Scouting?  Camping
• Favorite camping meal: Ground beef
• Where else have you been involved in Scouting?  Nowhere else yet, but I’m looking forward to going to Camp Okami in Japan this summer.
• What do you like to do when you’re not busy Scouting?  I love to play video games.
• Anything else you’d like Troop 60 to know?  Every great adventure starts with a tent and a fire. Let’s camp more!

ADULT LEADER SPOTLIGHT

Verena Leuschner,
Scoutmaster, 60G

• Birthday:  May 29
• What brought you to Scouting?  I was searching for a hobby for my girls. Loving the outdoors and enjoying making new friends, we thought the Scouts would be just the right thing. It has definitely been a lot of joy and great success.
• When did you join Troop 60?  October 2022  
• What’s your role within Troop 60?  I initially started as an Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM) and am now the Scoutmaster for 60G.
• What’s your favorite merit badge or rank requirement to help Scouts earn?⁠  I enjoy anything creative, be it Art, Reading, Textile, Painting, or more.  I like the first few ranks up to Second Class, as this path paves the way for finding your passion for the Scout life. You build new interests and hobbies, but also learn to accomplish all goals in a team setting. This sets the roots for future leadership, offering personal growth with each ensuing rank.
• The most challenging merit badge or rank requirement to assist Scouts in earning?  I believe making it to First Class is a challenge and these Scouts can be proud of themselves. At this milestone they have learned a lot about the outdoors, teamwork and leadership. This is a point in Scouting where you are either content with the rank you have achieved or decide to put in your all, to make it to Eagle.
• Your goal for Troop 60 this year?  I am looking forward to great adventures and new experiences with our Peacock Troop. I want to support our Scouts reach Second and First Class this year and learn new leadership skills. I am especially excited to bring forward our first Eagle Scout girls. Next to all these possibilities of growth, I wish for the girls of 60G to enjoy wholeheartedly a wonderful year of camping, hiking, and fun-filled activities. 
• Favorite thing about Scouting?  Becoming a strong patrol by learning to have more success when working as a team, supporting each other and enabling us to grow together. We accept all children no matter their background, their age or disabilities. The welcoming spirit of each Scout is one of a kind.
• Favorite camping meal?  My favorite meal is dinner after a long day of being outdoors and slowly winding it down with a good meal. I always enjoy a slow cooked meal with the Dutch oven and hope to incorporate this more for future camp outings. However, the very best part of every meal is most definitely dessert.
• Where else have you been involved with Scouting?  I used to help supervise youth based camps for our Christian church as a young adult. Next to that I would irregularly take part in outings with our local German scouts when I was young.
• What do you like to do when you’re not busy Scouting?  You will mostly see me with a book, as I love to read and write. Next to that, I enjoy nature, creative journaling, arts, yoga, and diverse activities.
• Anything else you would like Troop 60 to know?  I am grateful to have become the Scoutmaster for 60G and am honored to accompany these wonderful children on their Scouting journey. I wish all Scouts a fun year of Scouting!

VOLUNTEER CORNER

Parents: Troop 60 Needs You!

The BSA Troop 60 Committee runs Boards of Review for Scout rank advancement, sets troop policies, and handles administrative functions, allowing the Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters to focus on working directly with the Scouts. We invite more parents to join us to help keep Troop 60 running smoothly, especially through our summer season turnover. Please contact Committee Secretary Runa Gokhale if you’re interested in helping out in any capacity, ranging from helping organize outdoor activities to keeping our website updated.

Seeking Merit Badge Counselors

Troop 60 helps Scouts earn merit badges throughout the year. Helping Scouts on their journey to achieving their goals is a rewarding experience, so please take five minutes to click here to explore the merit badges and think about which one(s) you can help with during the next school year, especially since many of our current Merit Badge Counselors will be leaving Delhi this summer. Questions? Please contact Merit Badge Coordinator Jason Morris.

MONTH IN REVIEW & PHOTO GALLERY

April 12: Merit Badge Extravaganza

Speaking of merit badges: At Troop 60’s third annual Merit Badge Extravaganza, Troop 60 Scouts worked on their Trail to First Class and/or requirements for up to three badges, including Camping, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in Society, Cooking, Engineering, First Aid, Photography, Reading, Scholarship, and Swimming.

Thank you to Merit Badge Coordinator Jason Morris and to all the Troop 60 Merit Badge Counselors! (Remember, if you’d like to be a Merit Badge Counselor for the 2025-2026 school year, please check out the options and sign up here.)

April 19: Pinewood Derby 

Thank you to the Troop 60 Scouts and adult leaders who helped Cub Scout Pack 3060 run its annual Pinewood Derby.

P.S. Congratulations to 60G newcomer Katia Gupte for winning the grand prize in her fourth try and final year of eligibility!

April 26: Eagle Court of Honor 

Thank you for helping us celebrate Troop 60’s 44th Eagle Scout: Rohann J. Gupte, aka R.J.! If you missed his Eagle Court of Honor, check out the ceremony recording, or just enjoy the video compilations featured during the event: Messages for R.J. (from some familiar faces) and R.J.’s Eagle Journey.

April 27: Climb Central Outing (60G) 

May 18: Court of Honor & 60th Anniversary Celebration

Troop 60’s May 2025 Court of Honor celebrated many milestones, including 23 rank advancements and 57 merit badges earned, while also serving as an occasion to bid a fond farewell to our adult leaders, most notably Scoutmaster Alanna.

Special thanks to emcees Zoravar Sahni and Roisin Tonk for keeping the ceremony flowing smoothly, guided by the Troop 60 Committee’s Advancement Chair Sonia Abrams and with slideshow assistance by Dhara Smith and Helen Robbins.

Following the ceremony, we crossed the street for a very special 60th birthday party at the 1965 birthplace of Troop 60: the U.S. Embassy’s Marine House. In case you missed it, enjoy this video showcasing Troop 60’s History and check out the artifacts (more to come!) on the Troop 60 Website and Facebook Group.

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

Have a great summer and don’t be a stranger! Reach out via WhatsApp to anyone mentioned in this newsletter, email scoutmasterboys@bsatroop60.in (Troop 60B) or scoutmastergirls@bsatroop60.in (Troop 60G), or click on these links for helpful information:

• Troop 60 Website (newly updated!)
• Troop 60 Facebook Group (newly updated!)
• MyScouting
• ScoutBook
• Medical Forms (required annually!)
• Far East Council 
• Guiding Compass District
• AES Calendar