March 18-20, 2016
Troop 1 is headed into battle for the winter camping and backpacking weekend. We have our sights set on the Kings Mountain State and National Military Park just up the road. Thomas Jefferson called it “The turn of the tide of success.” The battle of Kings Mountain, fought October 7th, 1780, was an important American victory during the Revolutionary War. The battle was the first major patriot victory to occur after the British invasion of Charleston, SC in May 1780. The park preserves the site of this important battle. You may surf the military park at http://www.nps.gov/kimo or the state park at http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/945.aspx .
Over the course of Saturday and Sunday we will be backpacking a 15 mile loop through both parks. Friday night we will be car camping. Saturday morning will find us at the battlefield where we will earn the Battlefield Trail Award which will include a patch for your uniform. Upon completion of this we will continue on the loop about 7 more miles before setting up camp in the wilderness along the Clark Fork Creek. We will continue the loop Sunday morning returning to the battlefield.
You will have the chance to complete several requirements of the Camping Merit Badge. Other than requirement 9a, this should complete the Camping Merit Badge for all of you who have completed your work sheet at the scout meetings. If you plan to fulfill the cooking requirements of Camping MB or First Class (First Class is only possible if you are there for dinner Friday night) please plan this in advance with an adult leader. We will also be working on other requirements as needed. Remember, to get credit for the backpacking and hiking badge, you must turn into Boyce Lawton ([email protected]) a brief narrative of the place, distance, and interesting features of your hike.
There will be a $10 charge for this trip. Please register by the March 15th scout meeting. We will meet at 3:30 Friday at the scout hut and depart in the church bus by 4:00. A good guess for a return time on Sunday would be early afternoon (12-1), but backpacking is not an exact science so do not take that to the bank.
You will need your own backpacking stove and method of purifying water or make arrangements to use someone else’s. You will be responsible for your own food for meals from Friday Night till Sunday breakfast. The troop will provide a lunch stop Sunday on the way home. Remember that synthetic clothing is always better than cotton on a cool weather Backpacking trip.
Packing List:
Good hiking boots and socks
Light-weight stove (or make arrangements to share)
Rain gear
Back Pack and Pack cover
Layer your outer ware. Synthetics next to your skin to wick
Gloves and warm head gear
Camera (optional)
Warm sleeping bag
Water Bottle (Have at least 2 quarts – a Gatorade bottle will work)
Lightweight shelter (Scouts should share and plan in advance).
Water filter or tablets (may share, make arrangements in advance. Be prepared for areas where suitable water will not be found by having at least 2 quarts of water with you)
Cookware
Food (Saturday Breakfast through Sunday Breakfast)
Sleeping pad (optional)
Flash light
Bio degradable soap (cleaning dishes, may get at WalMart)
Toiletries, TP
Compass
Fire starter (not everyone needs this)
Sample menu:
Friday Night – We are car camping! Your choice
Saturday morning- We are car camping! Your choice
Saturday Lunch – Trail mix or jerky. Candy bar and fruit .Tuna Fish in foil packet
Saturday Supper- Jerky or country ham to be boiled, instant mash potatoes, dehydrated soup, ramen noodles. Freeze dried dinner
Sunday Morning- Add water grits or oatmeal, breakfast bar, hot chocolate (Plan on heating water with your backpacking stove.)