New Backpacking Program
Dear Parents & Scouts,
We’re excited to be kicking off our new Hiking and Backpacking program at Troop 583. There are no specific details on trips, locations or dates just yet but we do have some really cool things planned. This program has been designed to be challenging but it will be worth it.
This e-mail is being sent out in advance of any actual outings is to see how much interest there is. Our troop has almost doubled in size and we may have to change some plans depending on how many scouts want to participate.
The goal of this program is to have the Scouts earn their Backpacking Merit Badge and make a three day trip to Mount Whitney next summer. Scouts that participate will probably also earn their hiking merit badge as a result of the required training.
Since the backpacking merit badge requires several three and five day trips, we will have outings on holiday weekends, spring break and during the summer. The first of our three day trips will probably be this coming Memorial Day Weekend. There is a good chance we’ll have a trip on Labor Day weekend as well.
More information will be coming soon but please be aware of a few guidelines for this program.
- Wilderness permits are required for many of these trips. Permits are not guaranteed and there is a maximum number of people per permit this means that:
- Trip sign ups will be on a first come first served basis
- Trip dates may change based on permit availability – if a date changes its probably not our fault.
- If you sign up for a trip and a permit is required, you will have to pay your portion of the permit fee which is $5 to $15 per person to secure your spot. Once the permit is paid , there will be no refunds.
- If we have too many scouts we may have to run a trip as two groups, possibly on different dates to accommodate everyone.
- We will need adult participation
- There will be training on proper gear as well as pack checks before every trip. Most of what is needed can be rented if you do not own it.
- The Mount Whitney summit is over 14,000 feet and the trip is extremely strenuous. There will be required training trips. No scout or adult will be allowed to go on the Mount Whitney trip without completing the mandatory training trips.
- There will be choices for Whitney training hikes and trips. With the exception of the pre-Whitney trip, you will not have to go on every trip to qualify for the Mt. Whitney trip.
What do you need to do if you want to participate? For now just reply to me at robert@randjphoto.com and tell me that you are interested. Please let me know how many Scouts and adults in your family are interested and if the adults are trained leaders. Of course if you have any questions you can contact me, Mr. Backley or Mr. Peterson. Please don’t ask about specific trips or dates yet as none of that has been finalized. As soon as we know, trips will be announced at the Troop meetings and on the website. If you haven’t signed up for website updates, now is a great time to do that.
Regards,
Robert Bell
Tags: backpacking, Whitney, wilderness
