Backpacking and Hiking

Updates 9/14/23

• All Scouts should meet in the lower lot by the trailers no later than 6:30 pm Friday having already eaten dinner.

• All medications will be collected by Prem Kandiah on Friday prior to leaving and distributed to patrols at camp.

• Scouts should review the Backpacking packing list and tips email sent by Mrs. Henderson on 9/12. All gear should fit in a pack (not a storage tote) for this trip and room should be left for patrol gear that will be split between all members.

• Don't forget weather gear including your rain coat, rain pants, pack cover, and consider using a trash bag to line your pack. The chance of rain has increased slightly for this weekend.

• Scouts should all have a method of payment with them for Sunday lunch when returning to OGUMC.
  
  

ABOUT THE CAMPOUT

For our September campout we will be hitting the trail for hiking and backpacking at Cheaha State Park. This is a beautiful location with outstanding trails, suitable for all Scouts. And the views are stunning! We will have various groups on the campout, so please make sure you sign-up for the right group. All groups will camp in Basecamp Friday night before setting off in different directions on Saturday. 

1. 1. Basecamp Group (First Year Scouts or anyone else who wants to stay in Basecamp and day hike): The Basecampers will take a 5-mile day hike on Saturday, eating lunch on the trail.  This campout will be a great opportunity to work on rank advancement, including a climb of 1,000 feet . The day hike will be moderate in difficulty, but Scouts only need to carry minimal gear (daypack with 10 essentials plus lunch).  The Basecamp Group will plan for a hot breakfast on Saturday, simple lunch on the trail Saturday, cooked dinner on Saturday night, and a hot breakfast on Sunday morning.  At Basecamp, we will have an interfaith service, and other activities before heading back to Scout Hall on Sunday.  

   2. Backpacking Groups: there will be three (3) types of Backpacking groups. Each group could have more than one crew, composed of 8-10 participants. Each of these groups will camp Saturday night along the trail. After a simple breakfast in Basecamp Saturday morning, all Backpacking Groups will have a trail lunch on Saturday, trail dinner on Saturday night, and a trail breakfast on Sunday morning. 

      1. Second Year Backpackers - This group will carry daypacks or borrow small backpacks and hike for 3.5-6 miles. The plan is to have their loaded backpacks with tent, gear, food, and water in a car close to a campsite for Saturday night. This is a great chance for 2nd years to practice packing an efficient pack and carrying some gear and camping on the trail but not being fully loaded.  The route will be moderate, depending on the length of the hike, but will be up and down throughout the trail. 

      2. Traditional and Older Scout Backpackers (Third Years and older) - This group will carry all their food, water, and gear, determine their own routes (map of chosen route) which could be strenuous, and camp along the trail in the backcountry. 

Notes: 

1. 1. Parents: we will need a lot of adult participation to transport Scouts and have solid coverage for these various groups and crews.  Come join us and have a great time! If we don't have enough adult coverage, then the group and camping options will need to change. 

   2. Food/Cooking:  Based on the number of Scouts that sign-up for each group, etc., the Senior Patrol Leader and Adults will coordinate meal planning activities.  We will continue to use patrol-method food preparation, but your patrol will be created specifically for this trip, so we ask everyone to remain open and flexible as we start the sign-up and work our way through this process.

Deadline - FRIDAY, September 1, 2023

1. Register for Campout

2. All medical forms must be turned in

3. All adult training must be done

If these things are not completed by the DEADLINE (Sept 1) the participant (adult or youth) will not be eligible to attend this campout. 

Resources

• Cheaha State Park map

• Cheaha Wilderness Trail Map

• Cheaha map 12 mile loop McDill Point
  (route of traditional and older Scout backpackers (third years and older)

• Cheaha Main Park Line: 256-488-5115

• Cheaha Mountain Store: 256-488-5111

CAMPING

• Temperature: 70–85

• Sunset: 6:47 p.m. CST (remember, this is central time so it will feel like 7:45 p.m. EST time)

• Sunrise: 6:26 a.m. CST

• Cellular: Spotty

• 'Wifi: No

• All vehicles will need a park pass, which the Troop will purchase and distribute. 

PACKING LIST

1. See the Gear webpage for the general packing list.

2. Remember, all Scouts need to arrange who they are tenting with and who is bringing the tent! 

3. Backpackers: Pack your normal (minimal) gear in a backpack. Your 10 essentials should be in your backpack . . . not in a seperate day pack.

4. Basecampers: Ensure you have your daypack with the 10 essentials 

5. Bring money for lunch on Sunday afternoon.

6. Remember to be ready for wet and cold weather! All Scouts and families should review this list when packing.

Prescription Medication?

If your scout will be taking medications during the weekend, please have your Scout turn it in when assembling Friday night to the medical officer (TBD)

• • • Complete this Medication Administration Form

    • NO prescription, over the counter medicine, vitamins or herbal supplements are permitted in a scout’s gear.

    • The Scout’s medication, along with the completed form should be placed in a Ziplock bag.

    • Medications MUST BE in their ORIGINAL containers.  We will be unable to accept anything without the original container. 

    • Please label the Ziplock bag with your Scout’s name.

    • Emergency medications such as Epi-pen and albuterol inhalers should be kept with the Scout at all times!!!!!

When to wear class A uniform

Scouts and adult leaders will wear Class A shirts at the following times:

• Enroute to the campout (we always travel in uniform). 

• For Scouts Own Service

• Sunday, Enroute back to Atlanta

Sunday Return to OGUMC

Scouts plan to depart from the campout between 10:00 a.m. EST (11:00 CST). After stopping for lunch, the estimated time to arrive at OGUMC around 1:00 p.m. EST. All Scouts will need to be present for roll call and to help unload the trailer before being dismissed. 

Hospital info - Closest Er

1st choice, but a bit far and away from Atlanta 

Ascension St. Vincent’s St. Clair (40 miles, 1 hour 10 minutes)

7063 Veterans Pkwy, Pell City, AL 35125

Website

205-338-3301

2nd choice, closer to Cheaha and closer to Atlanta,

Stringfellow Memorial Hospital (26 miles, 45 minutes)

301 E 18th St, Anniston, AL 36207

Website

256-235-8900