Outdoor Activities

 

“Seventy Percent of Scouting is Outing.”

 

Who ever made the above statement was trying to very precise about one thing; outdoor activities are very important to a sound-scouting program. We at Oreland Troop #1 couldn’t agree more. We have at least one activity a month outside our regular troop meetings and many of these activities are outside. Below is a sampling of some of the activities with some photos from some past events. Each event is unique in its own right, and some of the activities are unique enough to allow for its own history.

 

Backpacking/Hiking:

 

Regular backpacking trips became a part of Oreland 1’s program back in June 1975 with a trip around Resica Falls Scout Reservation. Since that time, the troop has almost always had one trip a year. Under the leadership of then Assistant Scoutmaster Mike Weiss (and later Scoutmaster), the troop went on numerous Appalachian Trail treks in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Trips along the ‘AT’ as well as Tiadaghton State Forest (Black Forest Trail) and Tioga State Forest (West Rim Trail) has re-energized the members of the troop. Assistant Scoutmaster Warren Marley led two trips to Shenandoah National Park. Other trips locations have been French Creek State Park and Lackawana State Forest (Pinchot Trail).

 

The troop has also participated in numerous hiking trips. These less strenuous trips are usually day trips to local parks. We have also made weekend trips out of hiking trips. Committee member Lou Miller led the troop on hikes of the Catskill Mountains in New York. We have also made trips to Valley Forge National Historic Park, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, and have done day hikes along the Appalachian Trail.

 

 

A shot of the troop backpacking along the Black Forest Trail in October of 2002. This shot is a view into the Slate Run drainage area before we descended off the ridge into the valley below to camp. October is a great time for hike; cool days, wonderful foliage, and great sleeping weather combine for a pleasing time outdoors.

 

Many of our trips in October are on the easier side to allow for all troop members to try backpacking out. Some boys like and some don’t. We still encourage all of the boys to try it out- they never know what they’ll miss!

 

Hike in the rain? Yes of course! This may seem like a ridiculous idea, but the members of the troop who attended this April 2003 trip along the Appalachian Trail didn’t seem to mind. Yes, April seems like a rainy month to have a backpacking trip, but April can have its nice days as well. This trip ranked as a toughie; climbing over numerous rocks and scaling the ‘knife’s edge’ in a misty rain.

 

April is traditionally a month in which the troop tries a more challenging trip to hone one’s backpacking skills. The boys who went on this trip definitely sharpened their waterproofing ability!

Camping:

 

The old standard of scouting; setting up your tent (or cabin) and sleeping outside for a couple of days, and of course, cooking your meals over a fire (and sometimes a stove). Oreland Troop #1 makes at least seven camping trips a year, many of which are at our own Hawk Mountain Camp. We do make our way out to other council camps, private camps, and state parks. These trips have a lot to offer every scout who attends the trip, from learning new skills, improving the ones they have learned, and even passing on some knowledge.

 

Camping is highlighted each season with four marquee trips. The spring event in May is the Father/Son trip, a real crowd pleaser that is made famous by the “big piece of beef” (see below). Summer Camp dominates the summer time trips in August. The newest must-attend event in the fall is the Commando Game in November, which is a Camporee with two other troops. And finally, what would winter be without the frigid temperatures of winter camp?

 

 

Summer Camp is the highlight of not only the summer but also the entire scouting year. For one week, the scouts do countless activities, merit badges, games, and sometimes they throw in some sleep! About 90% of the troop’s membership makes at least part of the week. The week is ended with a large ceremonial campfire with awards being handed out to honor the week’s accomplishments.

 

This is a shot from Summer Camp 2004, whose campfire was cut because of Hurricane Charlie. This is a shot of some of the many who stayed in camp and laughed at Charlie’s impending rain. (With all the hype, the rain from Thursday night was much worse causing the stream to flood.)

 

This is a group shot of the first annual commando weekend held along with Troops 144 of Haverford and 22 of Cheltenham. The trip was such a success that we are having it again in 2004! Over 80 scouts camped out at Hawk Mountain for the weekend and had a great time.

 

Many friendships were forged between the troops and hopefully they will continue over the years. This is true demonstration of comradeship and cooperation in which scouting helps serve.

 

Winter camp is the one of the only times a year that the ponds are frozen and snow is on the ground. Well, at least there’s a good chance that’ll happen! Hank’s Hall is also sealed up and the fireplace always has a blazer to warm your bones. The boys find plenty to do in the snow from sledding, ice hockey, snow ball fights, and ice sliding contests at night.

 

The boys have the option of sleeping outside in their lean-tos or bunking up in Hank’s Hall next to the wood burning stove.

Canoeing:

 

The canoe trip got its start in June of 1985, when Scoutmaster Mike Weiss took 25 troop members on a trip down the Delaware River. Ever since then, the troop has always planned a trip along the Delaware. Whether it be through the scenic Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area, or along lower parts of the river, the leisurely trip down the Delaware is always sure to please.

 

The trip combines lessons is paddling along a river and how to make a nice comfortable camp- even in Poison Ivy infested areas! The troop stops a number of times to have fun and splash around in the river. It is always a nice transition into the summer when you attend the canoe trip.

 

 

A group shot during the June 2001 trip in Frenchtown New Jersey. The number of people who attend the trip always varies, but a number of fathers and guests also take the, ‘plunge’ and try a weekend on the river.

 

Future trips may include treks down the Susquehanna, Juniata, Lehigh, or Schuylkill Rivers and the Pine Creek (of Pennsylvania Grand Canyon fame).

Rock Climbing/Other Activities:

 

The troop also has some fun during the winter months (other than freezing up at camp) by going to a rock gym to try out indoor rock climbing. For the past five years, we have gone to a couple of area gyms to climb around on a Friday night.

 

Also, the troop does numerous service projects at area parks or for our own camp. These projects help build ties with the community and help the boys do their good turn.

 

 

Here the troop receives instruction before hitting the walls and climbing around at Doylestown Rock Gym in March 2004. Some of the boys are trying climbing out for the first time others are here to practice.

 

In the past, Assistant Scoutmaster Warren Marley has taken the troop out to High Rocks at Ralph Stover State Park and has done some outdoor climbing and some repelling.

 

Here, Jamie Andris transplants a tree into a pot for later planting at Hawk Mountain Camp. In April 2003, the troop ordered over 300 trees to be planted in a new nursery up at camp. The time spent doing the tree planting allowed some boys to earn merit badges and advance in rank.

 

In scouting, service projects are important for the reason that this is an example of the boys doing something positive for their community. We encourage all the boys to do independent projects but also have troop events to do some good for the community.