Places to take Scouts for Outdoor activity and Advancement

[wagionvigil]

In all areas ofthis country there are places to take our troops and Crews to have adventure and To do advancements. Lets list them here not as advertisements for the places but so the rest of us may find places if we are traveling or wish to take our scouts on a trip.
SOme have been mentioned
Gettysburg , Isle Royale,Boundary Waters. these three are very well know but how about the not so well known. We need to list contacts web sites etc. to help with trip planning. Most are scout riendly and have great reputations.
you may want to only list those close to your council or you may branch out.

[wagionvigil]

Laurel Caverns Geological Park Farmingtion Pa. www.laurelcaverns.com
Caving,Climbing MB ,Forestry MB, Geology MB ,Camping area for scout only.

Ohiopyle State Park Ohiopyle,Pa. Whitewater Rafting at its best. there are several Outfitters We have found that Wilderness Voyaguers is the Oldest and safest on the River. AS a matter of fact all of the owners of the other companies worked for WV at one time.

Fort Necessity National Battle Field, Farmington,Pa.
Yough River rail. Goes from Pittsburgh to Washington D C by connecting to the C.O. trail.

[Rick Tyler]

In all areas ofthis country there are places to take our troops and Crews to have adventure and To do advancements. Lets list them here not as advertisements for the places but so the rest of us may find places if we are traveling or wish to take our scouts on a trip.

I weep for Midwestern Scouts and Scouters. It's hard to find any non-urban area in the Northwest that isn't a great place for scouting. Honest.

Just remember the old joke about Seattle, though. Living in Seattle is like being married to a beautiful woman who is sick all the time.

Some of my favorite spots for outings are Deception Pass, Mt. Saint Helens, the PCT, the other state parks around the Sound, Lake Chelan, winter at Rainier and Blewett Pass, summer at Mt. Rainier, any of the area Scout camps, and (for things like merit badge weekends) Tolt-McDonald county park.

[Guneukitschik]

Our troop meets scouts from all over the world. We are so close to Gettysburg and an hour from Washington D.C. The scouts we meet are jealous that we are so close to these sites...but after growing up around them the scouts in our troop get bored VERY quickly when visiting these areas. They try and plan outings that explore different areas.

WaigonVigil is correct on Ohiopyle!!! Our Troop has had several GREAT whitewater rafting trips out there!!! Always a good time!

I would also recommend the Appalachian Trail....Luckily it runs near our town....a great hiking trail!

Also the C & O Canal in Maryland is a great Hiking/Biking trail that borders the potomac river.

[Chief J]

For skiing and snowtubing, don't forget about Seven Springs Mountain Resort or the Laurel Mountain Ski Resort, both in Southwestern PA. Both are great winter outings and Greater Pittsburgh Council operates a scout camp with cabins available the camp is called Camp Twin Echo.

In May of 2003, our troop went to Wright Patterson Air Force Base for the Miami Valley Council Celebration of 100 years of flight. Stayed right at the air base, and was able to spend alot of time in the Air Force Museum. That was a great trip.

Chief J

[wagionvigil]

Laurel Mountain is ify for this year. Rumor is that Seven Springs may be taking it over if it reopens at all. Hidden Valley is another option and Mystic Mountain at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is also. This one is close to Heritage Reservation for Camping etc. Old Trails District Wstmoreland-Fayette Council has a Ski Day each January here Last year we had over 300 attend.

[hacimsaalk]

Ohiopyle State Park Ohiopyle,Pa. Whitewater Rafting at its best. there are several Outfitters We have found that Wilderness Voyaguers is the Oldest and safest on the River. AS a matter of fact all of the owners of the other companies worked for WV at one time.

my troop went with wilderness voyaguers and you can't beat them. I t was like $40 each for a group of 6 of us to go. the guides explain what each rapid is name d after and how you are going to shoot it. everyone is very kind a courteous.

Another thing i would reccommend is The Flume in Franconia Notch State Park. My troop visited it after we got done doing The MAnhossuc Range on the Applichian trail, and even though we were all tired we all enjoyedit greatly.

Another thing i would reccommend is doing the Manhoosuc Range on the Applichian trail. It is a good workout, but it isn't too hard. I did it last year , when i was 12 , i did it this summeer too. I t takes a week if you do the whole thing. It gives you many good views, so i would recommend taking along many cameras.

[Post edited by RWSmith]

[Suzyplus2]

If you find yourself in the area, be sure to stop in at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. It is a great trip for scouts and well worth the admission price. Included in admission is a trip on a space shuttle simulator, a 4D movie theater, and even a fighter jet simulator that the boys control as it takes off from an aircraft carrier, flies a mission and returns.

Surrounding these exhibits are antique and modern aircraft along with multimedia historical an informative presentations. A second building holds classic aircraft that are still in operation and on loan to the museum. I found the restored WWII plane to be very interesting. This plane had spent half a century at the bottom of Lake Michigan before being recovered and restored.

Fort Custer State Recreation Area is close by and it offers organizational camping with rustic facilities year round. Be aware, you must call in advance to reserve your space, but they do not require advance payment.

PS - the Aviation merit Badge is easily attainable during your visit to the Air Zoo.

Sue Ann Eggert
ASM, Troop 1085, Detroit Area Council