September 1997 Parkers Creek, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, Apex, NC

This "starter" trip is an overnight camping experience in preparation for longer trips. Basic hiking and camping skills are learned first-hand in the rolling woods of the Piedmont.

October 1997 Mt. Rogers, Marion, VA

This will be the first three-day trip for the troop this year. A physically challenging trip, yet within the range of all the scouts. Impossible to tire of, Mount Rogers always has something new. A serious climb from most directions, the ridge line from Pine Mountain to Mount Rogers is a treasure trove of rolling grassland, rhododendron thickets, and deciduous groves, capped by a dense stand of fir around the peak. A hawthorne grove on a knoll off a southern spur provides a favorite off-trail camp site that remains largely unused.

November 1997 Parron Woods Camping Trip

While a trip to Mt. Rogers, VA was requested by Troop Staff, the school schedule precludes a trip of that distance unless it is across the Thanksgiving break. Current feedback suggests that a two-day trip earlier in the month would be preferable.

A hundred and twenty eight acres of woods and fields will provide an opportunity for a variety of camping, cooking, and orienteering advancement. This land, near Clayton, NC, is accessible through the good graces of a friend of the troop.

December 1997 Morrow Mountain State Park, Albemarle, NC

Morrow Mountain State Park is a favorite in the North Carolina park collection. While well developed and heavily used, it still has miles of quiet trails out of the more heavily traveled areas. The trip includes a base camp at the park's group site with a day hike through the rolling hills that are the southern terminus of the Uwharrie Mountains. This will be the first opportunity for cold weather camping for the troop this year. The trip will provide a focus for advancement before the January Court of Honor.

January 1998 Uwharrie Trail, Troy, NC

The Uwharrie Mountains provide gentle climbs with beautiful hardwood groves, particularly some marvelous stands of Beech. The Uwharrie Trail is long enough that it takes us three years to rotate through each of its sections. The trip will include one night on the trail and a day and a half of rolling trail. Weather can be a challenge. In more than one case, due to a forecast for extreme cold weather, the trip has been converted to a day hike. A relatively easy hike under pack with an overnight provide the basis for future cold weather camping. Or as a previous scout liked to paraphrase, "Many are cold, but few are frozen."

February 1998 Patrol Trips

Patrol trips are focused on three elements of camping for the individual patrols: 1.) site selection, 2.) trip coordination, 3.) an easy fun weekend. Trips can be as simple as back yard over nighters. Adult oversight and approval are required.

February 1998 Staff Trip (Bald Knob Ridge and Buncombe Horse Range Trails, Mount Mitchell State Park, NC)

This year's staff trip will again cover a portion of the Mount Mitchell State Park. Departing on Bald Knob Ridge Trail near the Black Mountain Campground with Cello and Busick, NC as the nearest towns, the route climbs Bald Knob Ridge, an strenuous days ascent to the Black Mountain ridge. Descending the ridge line on the longer Buncombe Horse Range covers the two ridges with the Right Prong of the South Toe River between. While not the altitude of Big Tom and Cattail Peak, this climb is still enjoyable and provides a view of virgin spruce that is unsurpassed. If weather interferes, we will fall back to Laurel Gorge on the Appalachian Trail at Hampton Tennessee with a day of caving.

March 1998 Shining Rock Wilderness, Pisgah National Forest, Brevard, NC

This will be our second try at Shining Rock in as many years. The fall of 1996 brought a light snow and serious winds that sent us home a day early. With the more predictable spring weather and a full four days, we look forward to seeing the rocks just after the full moon. This wilderness varies from a deciduous forest along the headwaters of the Pigeon River to conifers along the ridges. A portion of our route follows the Art Loebe Trail, constructed by local scouts, spanning the fifty miles or so from Looking Glass Mountain to Cold Mountain. The "shining rocks" are an outstanding quartz outcropping that rises up from the saddle at Shining Gap. Regrowth of fir is beginning to obscure the breadth of the rock stand that extends for some four to ten acres. Including a good climb over two half-days, the trail is well within the reach of first-year scouts.
 

April 1998 Orange District Camporee

A good chance for fellowship with brother scouts from other units. The program is seldom exciting but this leaves more opportunity for good visiting time. The Saturday night campfire is always exciting with the Indian dancers of the Order of the Arrow, The Brotherhood of Friendly Service, and the tapout of candidates from the troop. Rumor has it that the District Committee has moved the date up into April for 1998.

May 1998 Kerr Lake Bike Trip

This trip is a long one day fifty mile bike trip Saturday with an overnight at the W. D. Campbell Scout Reservation at Kerr Lake. The bike trip includes a car and trailer that follow to pick up folks with equipment failures or who are ready for a rest. The lake provides fishing, swimming, and an opportunity for canoeing or water skiing as equipment allows. Those who want to skip the cycling, can go directly to the lake. Families are welcome for the whole trip but are particularly encouraged to join Sunday for swimming and a picnic lunch.

June 1998 Summer Camp

This week of intense advancement at Summer Camp provides the scouts an opportunity to complete a series of merit badges especially in aquatics, crafts, and areas like Environmental Science that work well with a daily attention. Class time is mixed with free time, recreation, and campfires that are put on by a consistently enthusiastic and well trained staff.

August 1998 Shenandoah National Park, VA

Fifty miles of trails through the Shenandoah Mountains over a nine day period make this a good first distance trip for seasoned scouts. Those interested must have the scoutmaster's approval which will be based on the scout's experience and demonstrated ability. The average daily hike is around seven miles over four to seven hours. The first and last days will be spent at the Dundo Group Campground and in travel. This particular section of the park includes some spectacular views. Because the trail is a loop that sweeps both sides of Skyline Drive along separate parallel ridges, there are views that look across the main ridge where the Appalachian Trail and the road intertwine. From the western ridge, the views across the Shenandoah Valley are outstanding. Visited in 1995 and 1997, the park offers a wealth of trails that will not have been seen in previous trips.