Trip Descriptions
Boy Scout Troop 9
1998 - 1999
September 1998 Parker's
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.
A wonderfully refreshing view of the beach, this island is accessible by
ferry with only foot travel on the island. October should be early enough
in the fall to provide a change of pace from summer beach weather without
the rigors of full winter. Activities will include hiking through the mix
of open dunes and dense wood cover as well as along the beach.
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.
This year we will cover two sections: one in the fall, another in winter.
The trip will include one night on the trail and a day and a half of rolling
trail. A relatively easy hike under pack with an overnight provide the
basis for future cold weather camping.
December 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. Patrol trips have been moved from February to December
by request of the Troop Leaders Council. The Troop Committee raised the
issue of scheduling during the busy holiday season. For now, at least,
count in the trips being in December.
This second trip within the year to the Uwharrie Mountains serves as a
special winter execise. 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."
This trip to one of the smallest and most traveled wildernesses in North
Carolina is the prize to staff for all their hard work during the first
part of the troop year. It is also the prize for the hardest working patrol.
Six miles and almost five thousand feet of change in elevation make this
a challenging trip at the best of times. February adds the special element
of winter mountain weather. The views from the bottom of the gorge up the
Linville River, watching Hawksbill Mountain peek over the rim of the gorge,
and the night and morning atop Babel Tower commanding a view of most of
the gorge make this an outstanding trip.
A favorite we have not visited for four years, the Wilson Creek area affords
wonderful hiking through a low-lying part of the Pisgah National Forest
north of Morganton. Following Greentown, Raiders Camp Creek, Harper Creek,
North Harper Creek, and Persimmon Ridge trails, we will get a view of early
spring at foothils elavations. The trip is intended for scouts of varied
experience in hiking and camping from novice on. Eight miles under pack,
an 8 mile day hike, over altitudes from 3000 to 1900 ft., and generally
moderate climbs make this an enjoyable three-day weekend. There will be
multiple stream crossings, weather permitting, and a few fine waterfalls.
An alternate ridge-top route of ridges only is available in the event of
rain.
April 1999 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.
A day of Second and First Class advancement with the field work to complete
Nature merit badge, this section of the Korstian Division of Duke Forest
is an outstanding view of Piedmont flora. The trip will focus on First
and Second Class orienteering and Second Class Toten-Chip requirements.
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.
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.
July 1999 Philmont Scout Reservation
This twelve day, twelve night trip is the troopís "Fifty Miler" for the
year. Scouts, eligible by camping experience with a fourteenth birthday
in 1998, will travel to Cimarron, New Mexico. Hiking in the Sangre de Cristo
mountains provides a different cross section of flora and fauna from our
mountain, piedmont, and coastal experiences: from horned toads to bears,
with Coulter and Piñon pines, Suguaro and Choilla cacti and great
"hills" to over ten thousand feet. A memorable trip that brings reminiscences
from parents who made the trip scouts. Sign up for this Council-sponsored
trip will begin in late summer or early fall of 1998.
August 1999 No Trip