Senior Backpacking Trip
April 13-15
Registration Fee: TBD
Location: The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, NJ
Leaders: Mr. Weers, TBD
Requirements: Open to Scouts 8th grade and above
Merit Badge Advancements: Camping, Cooking, Backpacking
Description: The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a 2,180-mile footpath along ridge crests and across the major valleys of the Appalachian Mountains from Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in northern Georgia. The trail traverses Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia. The Appalachian Trail (AT) is used by day, weekend and other short-term hikers, section-hikers and thru-hikers (who hike the entire length of the trail, start to finish, in one season).
The Appalachian Trail began as a vision of forester Benton MacKaye, was developed by volunteers, and opened as a continuous trail in 1937. It was designated as the first National Scenic Trail by the National Trails System Act of 1968. The Trail is currently protected along more than 99 percent of its course by federal or state ownership of the land or by rights-of-way. Annually, more than 4,000 volunteers contribute more than 185,000 hours of effort on the Appalachian Trail.
The Troop schedules two backpacking trips every year, one in the spring and a second in the fall. The Appalachian Trail in Connecticut, or a neighboring state, is frequently the location for these events. Scouts must bring backpacking gear and be prepared to hike several miles, with meals cooked on the trail and overnight tenting.
Newbie Campout
April 26-28
Registration Fee: $20
Location: Kettletown State Park
Leaders: Mr. Pueschel, Mr. Weers
Requirements: Open to All Scouts
Merit Badge Advancements: Camping, Cooking, Canoeing
Description: Our newest Scouts will be taught essentials of Scouting by older Troop 28 Scouts. We will be canoeing and hiking on this weekend trip.