UPDATE: FEB. 8

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.

About the Campout

The February campout will be in the Okefenokee Swamp, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Georgia and the largest blackwater swamp in North America. Located within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, the swamp is one of the Southeast's most beautiful and unique natural areas.  It is also a certified dark sky, reflecting its minimal light pollution, making it some of the darkest skies in the southeast and excellent for stargazing.  Scouts will be able to paddle through miles of canoe “trails” in a wetland teeming with wildlife, including numerous alligators. While the gators are exciting to see and perhaps a bit intimidating, they do not bother people and generally swim away when canoes or kayaks come near.

With DeKalb schools off Friday, February 16, Scouts will meet at OGUMC that morning at 6:00 a.m. After assembling, loading trailers, and roll call, we will depart for the Okefenokee (~ 5 hour drive), eat a quick meal on the way, and arrive at the park around 1:30 pm. Paddling and camping will begin for the weekend after arrival. 

Swim Tests: All paddling participants will need a valid BSA swim test within the previous year. Opportunities to get this test will be made available in late January and early February. 

Boats and Trailers: This trip relies on borrowing and transporting boats for us to use. If you have a canoe or kayak to lend, please communicate that during registration and we can work to transport it. 

You have campsite and paddling options during registration 

We have secured the Group campsite at Stephen Foster State Park for the weekend. This site will serve as our base camp.

We have also booked backcountry campsites that participants can choose to paddle to and camp at overnight. The backcountry sites include two islands called Mixon's Hammock and Floyd's Island, an area called Cedar Hammock, and two floating platforms, Monkey Lake and Roundtop. 

During registration, participants will have the option to express interest in the number of nights they would like to paddle to and stay at a backcountry site. For example, someone could stay at base camp all three nights and do day paddles or a person could select one night at base camp and two nights paddling to backcountry sites. 

Based on the input from the group, we will attempt to make the preferences of participants work, but there are no guarantees. It will also depend on how many adults register for the campout. 

Adult participation is critical - With the potential for several paddling and camping groups throughout the wildlife refuge, it is critical to have enough adult participation, as well as to transport all Scouts. The opportunity to camp in the backcountry sites will only be an option based on the number of adults participating.

Maps

Stephen Foster State Park detailed map and info (Access to Basecamp, Mixon's Hammock, Floyd's Island)

Suwannee Canal Recreation Area detailed website with a map and info (Access to Monkey Lake, Cedar Hammock, Roundtop)

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge map (Below is an image of this map)

Weekend Weather

Here is the area forecast.The trip will happen rain or shine. It will likely be COLD camping. 

Packing list

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

  • Everyone

    • PFD (Personal Flotation Device, Lifejacket) - If you have one appropriate for canoeing, we are counting on you to bring it. If you have a whistle, bring this as well (only for use in emergencies).

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

    • Required: An extra warm (non-cotton) full sleeve top and a winter 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 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.

    • Each crew should have 

      • Maps (and other essentials with each person)

      • Bug repellent in case temperatures get warm enough 

      • Sunscreen

      • Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and shovel

      • Dromedary or other way to carry water - Enough for everyone for the length of the paddle

      • Seat cushions for any middle-riding passengers

      • Cord

  • Basecamp campers

    • In addition to the items above, our standard packing list works for you

  • Backcountry campers

    • Pack minimally from our standard packing list, packing like you would for a backpacking trip

    • When packing, think about keeping clothing and gear dry in case of rain and splashes of water while paddling (includes ziplock and garbage bags, dry bags, etc)

      • Contractor garbage bags are available during Tuesday meetings for you to take 1 or 2 . . . You can line your bag with a contractor bag and then put items that shouldn't get wet in there.

    • Each crew should have equipment and items for cooking

    • Each Crew should have a dining fly (or flies)

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 money for Friday lunch and Monday lunch/dinner

• 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 menus that are enjoyable, healthy, and 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, Vishnu Ghanta

    • T177, Violet Todd

• 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 

Hospitals

From Stephen Foster State Park

Clinch Memorial Hospital (48 miles, 51 minutes)

1050 Valdosta Highway

Homerville, GA 31634

(912) 487-5211

Open 24 hours

https://clinchmh.org/service/emergency-department/

From Suwannee Canal Recreation Area

Memorial Satilla Health Emergency Room (46 miles, 51 minutes)

1900 Tebeau St, Waycross, GA 31501

(912) 283-3030

https://memorialsatillahealth.com/specialties/emergency-care