Rocks Tree Farm 2012

      We pulled out of Lake Quonnipaug in Guilford at about 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, the 14th. We had about 20 people, but who's counting? (actually its kind of important, but I don't know the exact number. An astonishing number of people that were willing to freeze their butts of for the next three days and a record I think!!!!! We also had seven cars driving this year, its usually 2 or 3 cars. Anyway, we kept driving toward our traditional rest stops in Guilford, Vt; and Sam's Outdoor Store. Some of us ended up missing the exit to Guilford, so we had extra time at Sam's. Then, we continued on to the tree farm, 145 miles away from the last stop. Upon arrival, we changed into our cold weather clothes and began setting up camp. Most people including myself had to continuously pausing for re-warmth. Oh yeah, we counted and there were 29 people on the trip. We started our fire, and ate dinner. There was a variety of options to choose from such as hotdogs, chips & salsa, and of course, ramen. Going to bed was tough, we had to leave the warm fire, and it was a cold night. That night, the temperature got down to somewhere around negative 12 degrees Fahrenheit. It was even tougher to get up in the morning, but we ate and left camp by about 10am, a little behind schedule. We drove to the trailhead for MT Pierce, and started out. The temperature was much colder than previous years, so it was more difficult, and the first group of people turned around after only 40 or so minutes. We went to the highland lodge (an AMC location) while the rest of the group kept on. The next group left a while later, and a third group. The last group made it just past the junction (split in the trail) before hitting turn around time at 1:15. Everyone had a great time at the hike and the lodge after. Then we had to return to the outdoors for the second night. It was supposed to be negative eighteen degrees Fahrenheit. Some people slept in the ranger's cabin because it was too cold. Next morning we hustled out of there, and toward Littleton Diner and Chutters candy store. Finally we took off for home. This was a great trip even though it was cold. You should be more experienced to take part in it, and everyone had fun.

YIS Eric Weidman

Nickerson Bike Trip- 9/30-10/2

On September 30th, 2011, we drove up to Nickerson State Park in Cape Cod for our bike trip.  We set up camp, made dinner, and went to bed.  When my tent woke up in the morning, our tent was in a three in deep puddle from the rain the previous night.  Luckily, the floor of the tent held and nothing got wet.  After breakfast, it was raining so we decided to go to a tower nearby.  We climbed to the top of the tower and enjoyed the view before returning to camp and starting out on the trip. We all stopped at Marconi Beach for lunch and then continued on back to camp, while the 50 milers went farther.  On the way back, we stopped at the candy/ice cream store for a rest, and finished up back at camp.  We all had a good time and everybody should go next time because it was awesome.
YIS,
Eric Weidman

Days of Caring Food Drive 9/24

On Saturday September 24, the troop participated in the annual Days of Caring food drive.  We are usually the food banks largest group at these events.  The troop had a great turnout and so did the food bank considering they didn't have much advertisement.  It was a great time and everybody should participate next time because everybody needs community service and fun.
YIS,
Eric Weidman

Liberty Springs Backpacking Trip 8/6-9/11

On Saturday, August 6, we drove up to Sugarloaf campground to begin our high adventure trip. We set up camp and hiked up one of the Sugarloaf mountains.  After that, we were invited to play a game of ultimate frisbee. We played for awhile against another group, and decided to go have dinner.  After we cleaned up, we played some games in the dark with the same group.  The next day, we packed up camp and drove to the trail head we would be hiking from.  We hiked 3.8 miles up to the campsite, made our shelter, and hike up Mt. Liberty and Mt. Flume, two 4,000 Ft peaks, adding on another 3.6 miles for a total of 7.4 miles on Sunday. On Monday, we went the opposite way on the ridgeline to Little Haystack, Lincoln, and Lafayette.  All were above 4,000 ft high, but Little Haystack is not considered one of the 48 4,000 footers in New Hampshire.  Monday Grand total: 7.6 miles. Finally, on Tuesday, we hiked the 3.8 miles down from the campsite, and drove home.  Along the way we stopped at Subway for lunch, and the longest candy counter in the world- Chutters. Overall, it was a great trip and everybody had fun.  I would do it again if it was offered.
                                                                               YIS,
                                                                                     Eric Weidman

Yawgoog 7/3-10/2011

When we arrived, we checked in and lugged our gear down to the site and settled into our new tents.  Hotdogs from the campfire were the Sunday night dinner.  On Monday morning we had pancakes and cereal for breakfast, then the troop picture and the swim test.  After lunch, hotdogs again this time from the dining hall, we went to the afternoon merit badge classes, had dinner, and went to bed.  Monday we had breakfast, merit badges, lunch, merit badges, dinner, and then something special for the fourth of July.  Camp had a special show for the fourth of July.  Tuesday-Friday were similar except Thursday was the mile swim and there was one show on Friday. There were five scouts that participated in the mile swim, four from our troop- Courty, Morgan, Jesse, and Nick.  Everyone finished and it was fun.  On Friday, scouts in the troop in communications merit badge class held a troop campfire with skits jokes and more.   On Saturday, the last merit badge class day, there was only morning classes and all merit badges closed at noon.  Our troop went on a five mile hike after lunch and then there was a camp wide Saturday night show.  Finally, Sunday was the last day of camp.  All that happened then was tent clean outs, breakfast, religious services, and WE WENT HOME!!!!!! Yawgoog was a great time again and I plan on going again next year.
                                                              YIS,
                                                                 Eric Weidman

West Point 2011

The troop went to the West Point Scout Camporee 2011. I did not get the opportunity to go this year, but I heard it was very fun.  I was told that in the morning there was a workout, then all day there were activities to go to.  From what I was told, the camporee was a lot of fun, and I wish could have been a part of it.
                                                                YIS,
                                                                     Eric Weidman

Benton Beach 4/15-16/2011

Friday night, we went to have another trip.  We arrived at around 5:00 on Friday and left late Saturday morning or early afternoon.  When we arrived we set up our tents and started the fire.  Later we cooked spaghetti for dinner and hung out by the fire.  Finally we went to bed. In the morning, we restarted the fire and then had breakfast: eggs.  There were hard-boiled, fried and scrambled eggs.  Finally, we took down tents and left.  It was a good time and a good place to get a lot of requirements signed off.
                                                       YIS,
                                                           Eric Weidman