About the Campout

Our April campout is canoeing on the winding and scenic Flint River! To participate, you must have passed the BSA Swim Test in the previous 12 months. We will have two paddling groups. 

1. 1. Group 1 (Splash Mob) will consist of all First Year and most Second Year Scouts and any other scouts/adults who want to paddle the main river section (12 miles) or are needed to provide leadership to the Splash Mob group. 

   2. Group 2 (River Rats) will consist of any Second Year Scouts WITH CANOEING MERIT BADGE, all other traditional scouts, Northern Tier crew members, older scouts or adults. The difference between Splash Mob and River Rats is the potential to canoe an extra 3-6 miles, depending on the water level and speed. That decision will be made by the Saturday morning of the campout. 

Please indicate in the signup which group you prefer, noting that we may not be able to grant your preference. We will have to ensure we have enough Scout and Adult leadership in both groups. 

Schedule Details

Friday - Pack Saturday lunch, snacks, water, sunscreen, extra dry clothes in a dry bag for the river. 

We will depart early Saturday from OGUMC and spend most of the day canoeing. Have breakfast before you arrive at OGUMC as we will not stop before arriving at the Flint River. After our safety orientation and getting gear ready Splash Mob and River Rats will depart in their canoes around 9:00 am. We will paddle to Sprewell Bluff WMA (4- 6  hours, depending on water flow), where the Splash Mob will be picked up and driven back to Lawhorn Scout Base to set up camp and prepare dinner. The River Rats MAY continue another 5 miles and be picked up and driven back to Lawhorn to set up camp and prepare dinner. 

On Sunday, the Troop will drive back to Atlanta stopping for lunch on the way.

Adult participation is critical - With the potential for a couple of paddling groups, it is critical to have enough adult participation, as well as to transport all Scouts. All adults must be registered with BSA and the troop, have Medical Forms on file, and complete all the required training. 

Weekend Weather

Here is the area forecast.The trip will happen rain or shine.

Packing list

• See the Gear webpage for the printable, standard packing list. For this campout, add . .  . 

  • Everyone

    • PFD (Personal Flotation Device, Lifejacket) - you do not need to bring a PFD (Lawhorn supplies them for us all), but you are welcome to bring an appropriate one for canoeing if you wish. If you have a whistle, it is good to bring (only for use in emergencies).

    • Pack in soft-sided bags. Duffle bags or backpacks work. 

    • Before you leave home, pack a Saturday lunch, snacks, water, sunscreen, extra dry clothes in a dry bag for the river.

    • Required: A warm (non-cotton) full-sleeve top and a hat carried in a waterproof bag (ex. large ziplock) inside your day bag. This is a safety item to carry at all times while on the water.

    • Water shoes - must have a heel strap and closed toe. Old tennis shoes work very well. If you have flip-flops, open-toed, or shoes with no heel strap you will not be participating. No Birkenstocks or Crocs or sandals with open slots in them. 

    • No cotton when on the water. Wear quick-drying clothing. Remember cold and rain when choosing your clothing to bring. 

    • Bring a pair of dry shoes for in-camp

    • A hat is very helpful for sun or rain

    • Optional:  Pair of paddling gloves (ex. NRS Hydroskin at REI or similar on Amazon - helpful if the weather is cold/rainy)

    • Remember cold and rain could be part of our paddling and camping! 

    • Bring at least two liters of water per Scout in refillable water bottles.

    • Optional: Fishing gear

When to wear class A uniform

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

• We always travel in uniform to and from the campout

• For Scouts Own Service

Medication 

If your scout will take medications during the weekend, please have your Scout turn it over to the medical officer when arriving for departure at OGUMC. 

• • • 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!!!!!

MEALS

• Bring a packed lunch and snacks for Saturday lunch on the river. 

• Bring money for Sunday lunch

• Patrols will be made based on paddling and camping preferences. This will be a mixed patrol campout. 

• Patrols will meet two weeks before the campout to determine their meal plans and equipment needs. 

• All patrols are expected to put together enjoyable, healthy menus that use their cooking skills.

Tenting

T77 Scouts are to coordinate tenting with other Scout(s) on their own which includes who they are tenting with and who is bringing the tent. They do not need to communicate their arrangements to the Scoutmaster. Check out the Tenting Guidelines here. 

KEY CONTACTS

• Senior Patrol Leaders

  • • T77, Charlie Hunter

    • T177, TBD

• Trip Planner, Andrew Kraft, ‭678-778-5824, akrafty@me.com

  • Trip Leader, Mike Henry, 678-823-3700, mhenry57@gmail.com

• Scoutmaster

  • • T77, Sara Henderson, (678) 641-9427‬, sara_crofton@yahoo.com

    • T177, Marcus Taylor, ‭(404) 295-0428‬, marcus.taylor@gmail.com

    • Venture Crew, Mitch Leff, ‭(404) 861-4769‬, mitch@leffassociates.com 

Paddling Homework

Older Scouts and Adults: Please take a few moments to review the following useful techniques in the event they are needed on our trip:

• • T-Rescue steps for canoes if one 'swamps' while on the swamp. https://paddling.com/learn/how-to-do-a-canoe-over-canoe-rescue

  • Changing positions while on water (the goal is to avoid doing so but there is limited solid shoreline aside from put-in and take-out points): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrtA2lDAgZg

  • Cold-water Immersion: Water temps may likely still be cold during our trip. If someone accidentally goes in the water, remember these basic steps for recovery: 1. Stay calm and coach to control breathing 2. Pull the person into the rescue boat (can be lifted by PFD) 3. Get to a safe area 4. Remove wet clothing and put on dry clothing (focus on rewarming core and extremities) 5. Encourage gradual movement and snacks to regain energy and warm up. All paddlers should carry a warm, dry layer and a warm hat in a watertight bag while paddling.

Directions 

Through NEWNAN: I-85 South, to Georgia Highway 16 east to Senoia traffic light, then turn right onto Georgia Highway 85 South. Travel through Gay to Woodbury, turn left at the stop light for Georgia Highways 74/18/109, and travel for ~4 miles. Continue to follow Georgia Highway 74 (stay right toward Thomaston) for 2 miles. Turn right on Lawrence Road and make an immediate right onto Thundering Springs Road. Take the first right, which is Dripping Rock Road (a large lake will then be on your left) and follow for ~2.5 miles into the Flint River Adventure Area.

Through FAYETTEVILLE: Take Georgia Highway 85 South through Senoia and Gay to Woodbury, turn left at a stop light for Georgia Highway, and travel for s 74/18/109,~4 miles. Continue to follow Georgia Highway 74 (stay right toward Thomaston) for 2 miles. Turn right on Lawrence Road and make an immediate right onto Thundering Springs Road. Take the first right, which is Dripping Rock Road (a large lake will then be on your left), and follow for ~2.5 miles into the Flint River Adventure Area.

VIA I-75 (traveling south): 1-75 south to McDonough, Georgia, at exit 216 for Georgia Highway 155 West to Griffin. Take US 19 South to the first light in Zebulon. Turn right on Georgia Highway 18 West through Concord and Molena to Georgia Highway 74. Turn left on GA 74 to travel east for 2 miles toward Thomaston. Turn right on Lawrence Road and make an immediate right onto Thundering Springs Road. Take the first right which is Dripping Rock Road (large lake will then be on your left) and follow for ~2.5 miles into the Flint River Adventure Area.

Hospitals

Upson Regional Medical Center

801 W Gordon St, Thomaston, GA 30286

706-647-8111

https://urmc.org 

Hours:  24 hours