Okefenokee

Campouts

When: February 16-19, 2024, Friday morning to Monday afternoon

Stephen Foster State Park
17515 GA-177, Fargo, GA 31631
Group Campsite

Scout Cost $7 Camping, $32 Food, $27 Scout Transportation, $15 Trailer, $31 Canoes
** Add $16 for each night in a backcountry site per person
All other costs are covered in exchange for transporting Scouts to/from campout 

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:

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)

Itinerary

Camping

Weekend Weather


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

Packing list

When to wear class A uniform

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

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. 

MEALS

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

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