Edisto River Weekend
September 11-13, 2026
KEY FACTS
- Departure: Friday, September 11, at 4:00 pm from the Scout hut in Class B uniforms
- Return: Sunday, September 13, early afternoon to the Scout hut
- Cost: $125 per person – includes gas, canoe rentals, camping site, shuttles, and Sunday lunch
- Registration deadline: Sunday, September 6, 2026
- First-year Scouts are required to have a parent or an assigned guardian
ABOUT THE TRIP
Get ready to paddle! Our September camping trip takes Troop 1 to the Edisto River for 23 miles of blackwater canoeing over two days. We’ll camp below Branchville, SC, near the treehouses, and make our way downriver at an easy pace — stopping to swim and eat lunch on the water.
THE LOCATION
The Edisto River Basin is the world’s longest free-flowing “blackwater” stream, covering twelve counties across much of the Midlands and Lowcountry of South Carolina. The black water refers to tannic acids leached from the trees and vegetation along the banks. Its peaceful rate of flow makes it ideal for paddlers of every skill level. The drive from the Scout hut is about 2½ hours.
ADULTS
Because this is a water trip, all first-year Scouts are required to have a parent or an assigned guardian accompany them. If you’re an adult interested in joining us, please reach out to Tim Satterfield.
THE WEEKEND
- Friday – Leave the Scout hut at 4:00 pm for the 2½-hour drive to our campsite below Branchville. Scouts cook dinner at the campsite.
- Saturday – After breakfast, we drive to Carolina Heritage Outfitters and leave the vehicles there. The outfitter shuttles us upriver to our put-in, and we paddle 13 miles back to the campsite — about 5 hours, stopping to swim and eat lunch along the way. We arrive mid-afternoon, and Scouts cook their own dinner using the troop trailer.
- Sunday – Early wake-up to pack and load, on the water by 8:00 am. We paddle the final 10 miles, about 3–4 hours, taking out at Carolina Heritage Outfitters where our vehicles and trailer are waiting. We’ll stop at Rush’s in Columbia on the ride home.
MEALS
Scouts need to provide their own food for every meal except Sunday lunch – two breakfasts, one lunch, and two dinners. Troop cooking equipment will be available for use. Saturday’s lunch should be portable and reasonably waterproof for the canoe ride.
- Friday – dinner at campsite
- Saturday – breakfast at campsite, lunch in a dry bag for the paddle, dinner at campsite
- Sunday – breakfast at campsite, lunch provided at Rush’s on the ride home.
First Class Cooking is open to the first 4 Scouts who reach out to Tim Satterfield.
WHAT TO PACK
- Footwear that can get wet and stay on — sneakers, water shoes, Teva-type sandals
- Clothes to paddle and swim in, plus a towel and a dry change of clothes
- Outerwear – jacket and rain gear
- Water bottle (at least 2 quarts)
- Food – see MEALS above
- Dry bag or waterproof container for anything that can’t get wet
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- Normal camping gear – tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, flashlight, etc.
REGISTRATION
Space is limited — we must have all registrations completed by Sunday, September 6th. Click here to register!