Troop 12 Framingham: The Boston Skyline Trip April 20-22

Monday, May 21, 2012

The Boston Skyline Trip April 20-22

The Boston Skyline Trip was a trip to the Blue Hills Reservation near Boston, where we would hike, camp, and have fun. We arrived around seven o’clock on Friday evening, and brought our gear up to a set of four lean-tos we had rented for the weekend in Camp Sayre. After we had settled in and after a quick game of manhunt, we retired to our respective lean-tos to rest for the next day.
Most of us woke up around six-thirty the next morning and began preparing for the hikes ahead of us. After a slightly chaotic series of events involving boiling water, unorganized gear, and an exploding stove, we set off on our separate hikes. The younger Scouts embarked on a quick, 2.5 mile hike that took them to the top of Great Blue Hill so that they could look at the Boston skyline from atop an old stone watchtower, while the older scouts set off on a 9 mile trek along the Skyline Trail that took them across the entirety of the Blue Hills Reservation. As the older scouts continued their journey, the younger scouts returned to the campsite to work on advancements so that one day, they could be considered the ‘older scouts’.
When the older scouts came back from their hike, the troop enjoyed a meal of crunchy, undercooked, yet tasty freeze dried meals. Later, as we began to prepare our skits for a fireless campfire, a strange and ominous local scout leader delivered a warning, telling us to beware the possibility of heavy thunder showers, and foresaw the leakage of our lean-tos’ roofs. We heeded his warning and evacuated to a different set of lean-tos on the other side of the camp. After having been working like slaves for several hours until well after dark to set up the new camp, a number of scouts had to leave due to prior engagements. The few that remained decided that that night was not the best night for skits as we were tired after hiking, advancing, and hiking some more throughout the entire day. So with nothing else to do, we went to bed.
The next morning, we awoke around seven-thirty, and having been cheated out of our heavy thundershowers, but being in the imminent path of another one, we barely managed to return home before the rain arrived in our wake.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Scoutmaster Message!

Eagle Scouts – we have a number of older Scouts that are pursuing the Rank of Eagle Scout. This is the pinnacle of Scouting and it requires a lot of work and perseverance. Please be prepared to help out when they need assistance.

That was a lot of information to put into one newsletter. The intent was to show that Troop 12 is a very active troop. Adventure, however, requires adult supervision, so I am urging parents to play an active role in the troop. We always need adults to help out on trips and activities. Who knows, you might even have fun? My philosophy is that Scouting teaches your sons valuable skills and ideals that will be used long after they graduate from Scouting. I also believe that learning outdoor skills at a young age encourages them to appreciate our natural surroundings and resources and to participate in family outings and camping trips. I have many fond boyhood memories of my time in Scouting. Times might have changed and technology has affected the way that our modern youth amuse themselves. However, we must never let physical activity, respect for country and others, and a love of the outdoors go out of fashion. We can make a difference in the lives of our young people. We can also have fun doing it.

God Bless America – Please remember the victims of the September 11^th attacks on our country and their surviving families and friends. This was an attack on the values of all civilized nations. People from many countries lost their lives as a result of those attacks. Scouting is a true worldwide organization that pledges respect for all others, no matter your country or religion. Scouting organizations in every country share a common mission. Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting over 100 years ago, once said that he thought that Scouting would end the need for wars. Speaking as a man who spent most of his adult life in the military and fought in many battles, this might appear to be somewhat naïve and inconsistent with his military experience. He put a high emphasis on self-respect, self-reliance and respect for others, which are timeless values that should never be allowed to go out of favor. He tried to do his best daily. We should do the same. Perhaps the world would be a lot better place if more people followed his example and the ideals of Scouting.