2009-2010 CAMPOUT PLANNER 

SEPTEMBER, 2009

• Sept.8^th – First Troop Meeting of the 2009-2010 scouting year.
• Sept. 18-20^th   Order of the Arrow Fall Weekend at Camp Wanocksett
• Sept. 25-27^th – Campout with Troop 1 Berlin in Beckett, MA  (    Advisors: David Bosselait & Peter Scott)
• Sept. 27^th – Mass. Outdoor Expo – Hamilton Rod & Gun Club in Sturbridge

OCTOBER, 2009

• October 10-12 – Camp Richard, Nantucket (Advisors: Wes Durant & Norm Thibault)

NOVEMBER, 2009

• Nov.7-8^th – Christa McAuliffe Planetarium  at Camp Wah-Tut-Ca (Advisors: David Bosselait & Norm Thibault)

DECEMBER, 2009

• Dec. 11-13^th – Campout in Maine at Camp Hinds (Advisors: Peter Scott & Bob Czekanski)

We are headed to Pine Tree Council’s Camp Hinds in Raymond, Maine for our December campout.  The current plan is to drive up on Friday afternoon and set up camp.  We’ll be staying in the Cadigan Cabin, which has a woodstove and maybe even electricity.  Campers can also choose to sleep outside in tents.

Weather and trail conditions permitting; we will drive to Pleasant Mountain on Saturday morning for a hike.  There are several trails to the peak, with elevation gains of 1600 – 1900 ft over 2-1/2 miles and some nice views at the top.

We’ll spend Saturday night at Camp Hinds and pack up Sunday morning to head back to Bolton. 

Scouts and Adult Scouters will need to make a firm commitment by the December 1^st troop meeting if they plan to attend this campout.  A final itinerary, including the campout fees, will be available shortly.

JANUARY, 2010

• Jan. 8-10^th – Order of the Arrow – Winter Weekend  at Camp Split Rock
• Jan. 22-24^th – Klondike Derby, Treasure Valley, Paxton, MA

FEBRUARY, 2010

• Feb.13^th – Merit Badge College – Session #1
• Feb. 20-21^st – Mt. Cardigan (Advisors: Fred Bowe & Norm Thibault)

This trip is a 2.5 mile hike up 1500 feet to a mountain cabin on the side of Mt Cardigan and then a day or hikes around the top of the mountain. The cabin has a wood stove for heat, wood bunks with mattress pads, and a propane stove for cooking. There is no local water supply so we either carry it up or melt snow. The high cabin provides easy access to the summit and a number of other trails around Mt Cardigan. It should be noted that the cabin only sleeps 12 (we can have up to 14 with floor sleeper) so space is limited on this trip. For those who want to know more about Cardigan, visit the AMC website: http://www.outdoors.org/publications/outdoors/2005/mountcardigan.cfm

This is a winter trip by snowshoe with the initial climb in the dark by headlamp. The climb up to the high cabin is with full gear and as such, is not for those who may have health issues. This is a winter hike with all the environmental concerns: high winds, exposure, rain, snow, freezing rain, etc. As such, all attendees must have appropriate winter gear. See the scout website for a list of winter gear. There will be a prep meeting prior to the climb to go over what gear is appropriate and how to pack for the weather without loading yourself down with too much weight.

On the lighter side, the mountain is criss-crossed with backcountry ski trails. Scouts in prior years have brought along plastic sleds and made a number of fun runs. The views from the top can be spectacular and the views from the cabin porch are also great. In all prior years there has been a fair amount of snow on the mountain, although the peak is often clear of snow due to the open rock and high winds.

• Feb. 27^th – Merit Badge College – Session #2

MARCH, 2010

• March13^th – Merit Badge College – Session #3
• March 19-21^st – Camp Collier – Iron Man Chef (Advisors: Don Cole & David Bosselait)

This camping trip is a hit amongst the Scouts and brings out the gourmet chefs.  The Patrols will be challenged to come up with a menu and cook a gourmet meal that wows the judges.  They may even have to incorporate a “secret” ingredient.   The Troop will enjoy Camp Collier in Gardner, MA as the stage for this culinary delight.

APRIL, 2010

• April 9-11^th – Camp Squanto – Skills Camping (Advisors: Paul Casco & Wes Durant)

MAY, 2010

• April 30^th –May 1-2^nd  – Massasoit Spring Weekend
• May 14-16^th – Order of the Arrow – Spring Weekend
• May 22-23^rd – NE Air Museum (Windsor Locks – camp at June Norcross Webster Scout (Reservation (old town site) Ashford, Ct.; Advisors: Norm Thibault & David Bosselait)

On Saturday, May 22, 2010 the Troop will visit the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, CT.  The museum’s web site states that it “houses one of the world’s most outstanding collections of historic aviation artifacts; more than 80 aircraft and an extensive collection of engines, instruments, aircraft parts, uniforms and personal memorabilia. Within this collection are the last remaining four-engine American flying boat, the Sikorsky VS-44A, donated by its previous owner, actress Maureen O’Hara and restored to original condition; a B-29 Bomber; the Silas Brooks Balloon Basket (1870), the oldest surviving aircraft in the United States; the Bunce-Curtiss Pusher (1912), the oldest surviving Connecticut-built airplane; the Sikorsky S-39, the oldest surviving Sikorsky aircraft; and a Kaman K-225 helicopter, the oldest surviving Kaman-built aircraft.”  In addition, the museum has exhibits including a “Lafayette Escadrille, WWII Combat Gliders, the History of Sikorsky Aircraft, Early French Aviation, a History of Air Mail, the Tuskegee Airmen, Airships, and many others”.  More information can be obtained at:  http://www.neam.org/default.asp

The Troop will stay that evening at June Norcross Webster Scout Reservation, a BSA Connecticut Rivers Council Camp, in Ashford, CT before returning to Bolton on Sunday, May 23^rd.

• May 31^st – Memorial Day

JUNE, 2010

• June 18-20^th – Mt. Greylock – Backpacking trip (Advisors: Norm Thibault & Peter Scott)
• June 19-26^th – Camp Wanocksett Staff Week

JULY, 2009

AUGUST, 2009

• August 1-7^th – Summer Camp – Camp Wanocksett
• August 10-20^th – Northern Tier Canoe Trip
• August 15-21^st  – Rover Scout Training

 

Patrol Leaders Council Meetings

August 30, Sept. 27, Oct. 25, Nov. 29, Dec. 27, Jan. 31, Feb. 28, March 28,  April 25, May 23