History

Why Morley’s Rangers?

Tom “Chief Grey Fox” Morley of Oceanport, NJ was the first Ranger at the newly opened Forestburg Scout Reservation. Tom enjoyed Native American Lore and creating dramatic camp fires. In 1960 Tom hand carved the original Totem Poles which were placed in front of the Housman Memorial Lodge, known as the Forestburg dining hall. Tom often carved neckerchief slides for his young scout friends. In 1968 Tom was a Silver Beaver recipient and was named the first life member of the Order of the Arrow Na Tsi Hi Lodge.

At one point in the formative years of Boy Scout Troop 140 in Middletown it had too many members, which was a good problem to have. Tom helped the leadership solve that good problem by creating Troop 240 also in Middletown., and he became its first Scoutmaster. Tom was instrumental in keeping both Troops strong until they were well established. Troop 140 and Troop 240 were known as “Morley’s Rangers” and “Morley’s Scouts” respectively in his honor, and the name is proudly displayed on the Troop neckerchief until this day.