Douglas State Forest Camping Trip - May 2008
(Click here for permission slip)
Please turn in your slip at the April 29th meeting if possible.  But no later than May 2nd !!

>> Unless a sufficient number of parents volunteer to attend, this trip will have to be canceled.

A backpacking trip is planned for May 10-11  We will be camping in southeastern Massachusetts, in Douglas State Forest.  We will be hiking on part of the Mid-State Trail.  Mr Fellman informs us that this section of the Trail us fairly level.

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This will be another "wilderness campout", similar to the 2006 Mount Cardigan trip or our annual Devil's Foot Island trip.   (No amenities available.)  Everything needed must be carried in and out.  Pack light, but pack smart.  (Pack for the weather.)  Refer to pages 224-225 of the Scout Handbook.

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Make sure you have extra space in your pack, to carry food or other troop gear, such as a tent, cook kit, etc.

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There is no water available along the trail or at the trailhead, so we must carry in all that we will need.  Along with your personal supply, everyone must carry one ADDITIONAL full 2-liter bottle of water that will be used solely for troop cooking.  Unlike the Cardigan trip, we will not leave Medfield until everyone's water supply has been checked.

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Likewise, Please bring your own toilet paper.  We will be digging our own latrine at the campsite.   Along the trail, be prepared to use the "cathole" method.  (See page 243 of the Scout Handbook.)

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Be prepared and be sure to bring (and wear!) your sunscreen and insect repellant.

We will meet at the Esco Tool parking lot, 50 Park Ave, on Saturday, May 10 at 9:30am.  After checking everyone's gear, we will drive to the trailhead.  (which should take about an hour and a half.)  Because of the potential for limited parking available at the trailhead, efficient carpooling is a critical issue for this activity.  We'll unload at the trailhead and hike about 4-5 miles to get to the campsite.   Bring a bag lunch.  We may have lunch on the trail, but more likely we'll eat once we arrive at the campsite.

Currently, it is planned that cooking will be done, as usual, by each of the regular patrols.  The adults and the Senior patrol members will be distributed amongst the two regular patrols for meals.  Based on how many signup for the trip, we may have to create "temporary patrols" to work out the cooking.

Rank requirement opportunities are expected to be available, but will be dependant on the makeup of the attendees.

We will break camp Sunday morning after breakfast and hike back to the trailhead.  We expect to arrive back at on Sunday, around noon.

Please complete your permission slip, and return it to Mr Weglinski before May 2.  If possible, please also call one of us as soon as you can, to at least let us know you are coming.  We need this info to plan food and carpooling ASAP.