On the weekend of August 21st, 2015, the Troop went on a weekend summer canoe trip again with 9 Scouts and 5 adults. This year we went to Lake Drummond through the Great Dismal Swamp Canal. Last year, we did a bike trip on the path right next to the canal. We put our boats in on Friday night at the canal and canoed only with our headlamps and glow sticks. After about two hours, we made it to the campsite which marked the access point into Lake Drummond. We were amazed at how nice the campsite was, as there was a nice dock, recently cut grass, overhead lights, running (not potable) water, electrical outlets, working bathrooms, and a few shelters. Saturday morning, we moved our canoes and kayaks over the small little peninsula we were on to get to the other side. There was a little tram on a track meant to move boats, but it didn't work anymore. We then headed towards the lake from there and fulfilled all the requirements for the Canoeing Merit Badge, including swamping a canoe and flipping it back over. After finishing the Merit Badge, we headed back to the camp to eat dinner and build a fire. Despite being tired, most of the group went back out on the lake again to watch the sun set which was an incredible sight along the water. The next morning, everyone packed up and canoed back along the canal to the boat landing and headed home. Overall, it was a great trip and everyone had a great time.
0 Comments
Six scouts and four adults went on a weekend canoe trip in Kerr Lake along the Virginia - North Carolina border. The Troop started at Eagle Point Scout Reservation where we camped Friday night. Saturday morning, Mr. Prideaux went over canoe basics for the beginners and we then left for Hemric Island. We arrived at Hemric Scout Reservation with some helpful towing for the last mile or so from Mr. Heider's jet-ski to make sure we had time to get setup before dark. Hemric is owned by the Old North State Council in North Carolina, but had not been used much lately due to the limited access. The island had a small dining hall, cabin, and water tower built when there used to be road access to the camp. The lake rose over that road, so now the only way to access the island is by boat. Due to the condition of the cabin and dining hall, we decided to tent and eat outside. We had some freeze dried meals for dinner with some camping stoves such has Lasagna, Beef Stew, or Sweet and Sour Pork. After dinner, everyone enjoyed the big campfire. The next morning, we woke up early and ate oatmeal and freeze dried meals and then left by 8:30. Everyone made it back to Eagle Point, all 8.5 miles, by 11:30 (and without jet-ski towing). We then departed for Richmond very satisfied and tired after a fun and successful canoe trip. We traveled 9.2 miles on the longer trip to Hemric. We traveled 7.8 miles on the more efficient trip back to Eagle Point. We had a slight headwind on the way to Hemric and a slight tail-wind on the way back to Eagle Point. |
AuthorHistorian of Troop 799 Archives
October 2015
Categories
All
|