Cranford Resident, John Koneski, Inducted in Scout Council’s Camping Hall of Fame

John Koneski of Cranford was inducted into Patriots’ Path Council’s Camping Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held at Mt. Allamuchy Scout Reservation in Stanhope, NJ on August 2, 2025 with five other inductees. John has been involved with Patriots’ Path Council camps for the last 30 years. He began his relationship with the camps as the summer camp scoutmaster for Troop 75 for over 10 years at Winnebago Scout Reservation in Rockaway, NJ while his sons were scouts. John’s wife, Margaret, has served as a troop committee member for 30 years and both his sons, Jim and Andy, earned their Eagle Scout rank in the same troop. He remains an Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 75, now supporting the troop by repairing equipment, staffing service projects, working with scouts on their requirements, and lending recommendations for outdoor activities.

John retired from his career as a research chemist at Colgate-Palmolive in 2006 and immediately joined the Flintlocks BSA, a volunteer group of retired scouters. He has served as its president since 2017. The Flintlocks meet every week at Camp Winnebago to work on projects at all the council camps: Winnebago, Allamuchy, and Watchung. Projects generally include building and renovating structures, such as cabins and shelters, and developing other program areas. John has also been in charge of the Flintlocks’ workshop that makes wooden craft kits, such as birdhouses and tool boxes, which he also delivers to the local scout shops to be sold.

He has run and organized multiple projects throughout the council camps, as well as wood tool programs for Cub Scouts. These programs help the Cubs fulfill their requirements for their ranks. During 2009-2017 summer camps, John was a Commissioner on Camp Winnebago’s staff as well. He is also on the Council Properties committee, which additionally involves site inspections of the camps. And over the last 20 years, he has served on a variety of other committees at the district and council levels including the Camping, STEM, and Scout Shop Committees.

John was previously recognized in scouting with the Munsee District Award, District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver Award, and Trailblazer Award.