CAMPOUTS AND ACTIVITIES

Some great places and activities

CAMPOUTS & ACTIVITIES

Mammoth Caves - Mammoth Caves, KY

The Troop had a Family Campout at Mammoth Caves. We stayed in the Group Area. It is across the Green River from the section of the park where the caves are located. We had to take a small ferry across the river. There was a cost associated with the cave tours. We went on the Lantern Tour. We also took the scouts on a LLOONNNG Hike in the Red Clay.

Sand Dunes - Traverse City, MI

We stayed at the Platte River National Park, group camping area. It was a very nice group area. There were showers and flushing toilets near by. The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive through the Sleeping Bear Dunes was nice. There are several spots to get out of the cars. There is also the HILL. You can go to the Dune Center at the base of the Hill. If you decide to walk to Lake Michigan, take LOTS OF WATER and something for shade. The extra water is not for you, it is for all the Unprepared people who take the hike.

Pinery - Ontario, Canada

The Troop enjoyed a relaxing trip to The Pinery . They have very nice Group Camp areas, along with several trails. The Pinery offers Education Programs for Groups. They need two (2) weeks notice. You can even satisfy some Community Service hours by helping cut down over abundent pine trees or plant grass on a sand dune. They also offer canoeing.

South Bass Island - Put-n-bay, OH

Put-in-Bay was a great place to go. Once a year there is a Scout Camporee (weekend after Labor Day) Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial. Camping at the Group Area in the State Park is nice. We toured the Memorial and walked through town. We lucked out and were there on Free Fishing Day. The boys DNR at the old fishery provide poles and bait. The boys fished for hours. We even got to see the Endangered Lake Erie Water Snake (non-venomous). The weather on the way to the island made the ferry ride, on Miller Ferry, quite enjoyable.

Rock Climbing - Grand Ledge, MI

The boys LOVED this campout. It was a little expensive, but it did not break the bank. We used Vertical Ventures for the Rock Climbing at Grand Ledge cliffs. We camped in Fitzgearld Park (Group Area). There are ball fields and a roller blading ramp center.

Mtn. Biking - Paint Creek Trail / Bald Mtn, MI

The boys always have wanted to go Mountain Biking. We started off with this intro campout. We started the bike trip from Rochester on the Paint Creek Trail. It is a packed fine-gravel that was easy riding. At Clarkston Road, we took a side road to Bald Mtn. Rec Area Group Camping area. It was 10 miles each way on PCT. We did 8 mile of Mtn. Biking on Saturday. It was a little wet. There was a creek in the middle and a lot of MUD. This help several of the scouts with their Cycling Merit Badge.

Canoe Trip / Ausable River - Mio, MI

This was a WET weekend. I rain all day and all night. We did a long canoe trip. We stopped for lunch at the Roy's. We camped at the Parmalee Bridge State Campground. We used the Parmalee Trading Post for canoes and kayaks. We went in at Wakely and got out at Parmalee.

Orienteering - Camp Rotary, Clare, MI

This was our Orienteering / Wildgame Cookout. While Aaron was making Venison, Elk, Pheasant, Caribou and Chicken, the Patrols went on an Orienteering Course. Camp Rotary (Lake Huron Area) was perfect for Orienteering. Bebee Lake is right in the middle. We sent one patrol to the left and the other to the right. We told them (BIG TIP) the lake will ALWAYS be on your left or right (depending on which way you started). They got all turned around. They really enjoyed the way the bunks were built into the walls.

Orienteering - Camp Kiwanis, Mason, MI

This was another great Orienteering / Wildgame Cookout. While Aaron was making Venison, Elk, Bear and Rabbit, the Patrols went on an Orienteering Course. Camp Kiwanis (Chief Okemos) was small, but worked out well for Orienteering. The camp had very nice cabins. There is a small tent section to the back of camp. The camp had a nice parade field. The boys made a cardboard rocket out of one of the flag holders. The were launching it over the trees. We worked on a lot of Tenderfoot requirements. Aaron and Alex set-up the course for their Merit Badge. They used a GPS to set way points. Then they downloaded the way points to a map. The software provided an accurate way to double check the compass directions and distance. While walking the course, the Patroit Patrol (1st year) was able to work on identifying plants and animals. The woods, fields, swap and hills provided many different types of eco-systems. The scouts did a "Good Turn" by cleaning up the fire-pit that was behind the Sparrow Lodge. We held some Flag Retirements during the camp fire. Here is the Orienteering Course map and Control Descriptions.

Aviation MB - Kalamazoo Air Museum, MI

We left EARLY in the morning to get to Kalamazoo Air Museum on time. It was well worth the drive. The Merit Badge session lasted the whole day. There were stations that each group rotated through. We brought sack lunches, but could have gone out. There was a nice Gift Shop and a mini-amusement area. Money is needed for the big simulator ride.

Rifle & Shotgun Range - Bald Mtn, MI

Once again, we went to Bald Mtn. Group Area (now closed) to camp. We went 22 cal. rifle and 20 ga. shotgun shooting on Saturday. It was only $5 to shoot. We brought our own rifles and shotguns, along with ear and eye protection.

Ski Trip/Cabrefae - Lost Lake Scout Resv, MI

This was our 1st Annual Ski Trip. It is now an annual family camping trip. We got the big lodge for the cooking and wifes. The boys and adults stayed in the cirle of cabins (great). Caberfae Peaks was the PERFECT place to get a lot of skiing in. It was almost an hour between Lost Lake Scout Reservation (CVC)and Caberfae (due to the weather). We lost a set of keys in two feet of snow. The boys all formed a rescue line and dug on hands and knees until we found them. Since then, the Lodge has been redone. Lost Lake Scout Reservation is from the Clinton Valley Council.

Ski Trip / Homestead - Lake Ann Baptist, MI

WOW! How could we top Caberfae. Well, we stayed at Lake Ann Baptist Camp in Lake Ann. We had a set of smaller, older cabins. Next time, we will get a large lodge building. This facility was more than expected. The staff were very accomodating. They had cookies waiting for us in the main hall. With the package, they provide snack, breakfast, sack lunch, and breakfast the next day. You can work it out any way. They also have a tri-run tube hill. This was FANTASTIC. It was hard to work to get to the top of the hill, but the ride down was worth it. It had sprinkled earlier and then got cold. The runs were iced. We were chaining 2, 3, 4 and even 5 tubes together. We would get 10-15 scouts / adults on the TRAIN. WHAT A RIDE! The Homestead Resort was also a great skiing facility. There were enough easy and hard hills. We got an even better discounted rate once there and they gave us a great deal on pizza, salad and pop for supper. We went to church the next morning at St. Francis Parish in Traverse City.

Canoe Trip/Pine River - Manistee National Forest Campground

The boys wanted to try something different from the Rifle and the Ausable. We found the Pine River. It is a Class I river. This would be a good introduction to a little faster water and prepare us for Ohioplye. We camped at the Peterson Bridge Campgroundin the Manistee National Forest. We had the first two sites on the river as you drive in. The adults were up on the hill and the scouts were down by the river. Paddle Sports Livery recommended two small rafts for the first year scouts and the rest with kayaks. This would have been a LLLOOOONNNGGG trip in canoes. The boys would have been in the bank and trees every corner. This river is narrower, faster and COLDER.

White-water Rafting - Ohiopyle, PA

On the way home from Ockanickon, we stopped in Ohiopyle, PA to go White-water Rafting. We went with Laurel Highlands River Tours. Our trip was on the Lower Yough. It was a Class III & IV section. We put in just south of town. The trip took five (5) hours. We had a nice lunch stop with deli sanwiches. We had 12 scouts and 4 adults, so we went with 3 rafts (5x5x6). It was a blast. We purchased the video of the trip and an 8x10 of each raft crew. Our trip was called a Guide Escorted Tour. The staff were either in a kayak or in another raft. We stayed at the Ohiopyle Log Houses (2) that were built in 1901. They were from Ohiopyle Log House. They were not the Holiday Inn, but you need to remember, we are Boy Scouts.

Mtn. Biking - Addison Oaks, Oakland County Park

The mountain biking trail at Addison Oaks (an Oakland County Park) was great. There were log jumps, rock piles (small and large), bridges, hills and tight corners. The Michigan Mountain Biking Association (MMBA) does a great job of making this trail and others fun and exciting. Paul Bailey is the trail coordinator. He was out working on the trail. There is a loop on the south side and Paul is grooming a new trail on the north side. They are rated Beginner to Intermediate. There was no Organizational Camping Area at the park. We mistakenly got a GROUP site. The park helped us with our mistake, so we wouldn't have to go home or somewhere different. There is a complete black-top trail around the lake (see map). This would be a close place to go for the day. Since Bald Mtn no longer allows Organization Camping, it is difficult to find someplace in the area. Indepenence Oaks has an youth group area. There was also a remote control hang gliding competition going on in one of the back fields. It was quite the sight to see how they lauched them using a motorized pulley and ropey system. They were judged on time and landing accuracy.

Hiking - D-A, Metamora, MI

The hiking campout was a success. The Troop camp at Riverside. Nice campsite. We hiked about 5 miles on Pedro Trail. Around the noon, we stopped for lunch. We had made these neat pop can stoves. Most scouts either had Ramon Noodles or Mac & Cheese. Mr. Maskill had made shields that also held your pot from your mess kit. We really enjoyed this. For supper, we had Chicken Pot Pie in a Dutch Oven. WOW! Everyone LOVED it. From now on, we have to cook at least one meal either in a Dutch Oven or over the camp fire. Also, Mr. Cox finally GOT TRAINED!

Webelos Campout / Maple Flats Clean-up, Cole Canoe Base (CCB), Alger, MI

This is our Annual Trip to clean our Adopted Campsite and help clean the Admin Bldg. We had lots of blowers and help, thanks to the Webelos and their parents. The Webelos did Tree Identification for Forester and Campfire Safety and Skits for their Outdoorsman. We had steak and potatos on the campfire. Delicious. Also, Mr. Cox made the Philmont Peach Cobbler and a Chocoloate Cheesecake. The Troop and Webelos did tons of skits on Saturday night. On Friday night, everyone made Monkeys' Fists.

Christmas - Cookies & Caroling - American House, Madison Heights, MI

This was one of the more touching times the Scouts and Adults. Each Scout made several dozen treats. Then at the December Troop Meeting, we made up 50 plates of treats. The next night, the Troop went to the American House to give the treats to the Seniors. The residents were truly overjoyed by the boys. The boys talked and talked with the residents. Many of them told stories of their kids or grandchildren in Scouts. To all the scouts and adults surprise, they asked if we could sing some carols. Mr. Cox downloaded some songs off the internet. We all lined the staircase and sang a half dozen Christmas Carols. This was truly a heart warming experience.

Christmas - Toys for Tots, Hamtramck, MI

The scouts and families went down to Hamtramck to help with Toys For Tots. First, they went to the Harvest House to load a moving truck with all the toys. Then a leader drove the truck to St. Laddis Church / School. The scouts unloaded the truck and took the toys into a small, unused classroom. Then, the scouts had to sort all the toys into groups by age and sex. Next, they took applications from families and sorted them and made labels and attached them to large brown bags. After labeling the bags, they put them into lines by family. Once all 300 some bags were organized, the actual packing of the bags began. Each scout would take a bag and get an appropriate toy. This cycle continued several times until all the stuffed animals and toys were gone. Later that night, the Harvest House passed out the bags to families as they came to the church. We could not stay for this, but are planning on for next year.

Computer MB, Guardian Angels, Clawson, MI

The majority of the Scouts in the Troop attended the Computer Merit Badge. Mr. Cox put on the course in the Computer Lab at GA. The Scouts had to learn the history of computers, the different generations of computers, parts of a computer, computer storage, computer languages, and numbering systems (decimal, binary and hexadecimal). Also, they demonstrated how to use MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint, Email.

Wildgame Cookout / Orienteering, Camp Awagam, Lake Orion, MI

In 2005, we had our Annual Wildgame Cookout at Camp Agawam (Clinton Valley Council). This camp is a smaller camp, but was perfect for the small Orienteering Course. This year, we had some new food. Aaron and Alex’s' Uncle Pat always supplies the majority of the meat. This year, he gave us a Bear Roast, Elk Steaks and some Mountain Lion. Mr. Pippin brought some Duck. It was wrapped in bacon with a water chestnut. Everything was DELICIOUS. The Troop also got two Tomahawks. Everyone loved trying to be Daniel Boone. It was harder than it looked. Special thanks to Uncle Pat and Mr. Pippin for the "WILDGAME" and to Aaron C, Mr. Pippin and Mr. Hayes for cooking.

Catapalts - D-A, Metamora, MI

We spent most of the day at the Pines. We used their poles to build a LARGE catapult. The boys launched 14 mini-pumpkins into the air and field. This was a great activity. Sometimes it was exciting, but sometimes it was scary. For lunch, we had Julian Brothers’ Pepperoni Bread over the campfire. We put extra pizza sauce on along with more pepperoni and cheese. Then we wrapped them in aluminum foil and placed on the hot coals of our campfire. WOW! For supper, we had Meatball Subs. Yes, again we got rolls from Julian Brothers. Delicious!

Waterbottle Rockets - Camp Holaka (CVC), Lapeer, MI

This was our first time at this camp. It was a large camp, but not overwhelming. The Scouts each made a bottle rocket out of 2-Liter pop bottles. Some even tried using 20 oz bottles. Mr. Pippin made four (4) launchers. The boys LOVED this activity. Most rockets were a single bottle. However, several boys made rockets with multiple bottles. For supper, we had our famous Chicken Pot Pie and Chocolate Cheesecake. We will HAVE to do this again.

SUMMER CAMPS

Cole Canoe Base, Alger, MI
(2008)

The boys agreed to let the Scoutmaster make an executive decision and have the Troop return to CCB. We actually have our Adopted Tent Site (we have both Maple Highland and Maple Flats). It seems the only time we get to CCB is for the Annual Fall Clean-up. We have not camped in our Adopted Campsite for many, many years. Other than a couple of our oldest boys, most of the Troop has not been to CCB for Summer Camp. They enjoyed the Dining Hall at at the other camps mainly since it promoted Scout Spirit and Troop interaction (other than night activities). This should be a great SC experience.

Gerber Scout Reservation - Muskegon, MI
(2007)

The boys really enjoyed Gerber in 2005. The PLC voted to go back. Once again, the Gerber Staff did a great job. This camp exemplifies Scout Spirit. Many of the staff were still there. Cleatis never gets old. We had a great experience sharing a campsite with another troop. This years theme was 300. Gerber just built a High Ropes (COPE) course. Even Mr. Micu mastered it. The High COPE Courses have been one thing the PLC looks for in a Summer Camp. Gerber as a fantastic water front.

Ransburg Scout Reservation - Bloomington, IN
(2006)

Again, we found a camp that worked for all ages. Ransburg Scout Reservtion is in the Crossroads of America Council. It had a FANTASTIC High and Low COPE Course. Our Juniors and Seniors spent almost the entire week there. It was donated by the Indiana Power Company. They had a HUGE climging tower, water skiing boats, a pontoon, and BIG HILLS. It was hot and humid. We saw Indiana University and ate at Mothers Den for pizza (GREAT!). They had a large store and a special Leaders Lounge with A/C. Again, this camp had a dining hall. This camp has OA and their own special group called the Firecrafter. At this camp, there were several Venture Crews with girls and a British Troop attends every year. This camp has great facilities for year-round camping. They have apartments that hold 15-40 people. They also offer a High Adventure weekend that includes use of the Climbing Tower and the High / Low COPE.

Gerber Scout Reservation - Muskegon, MI
(2005)

This camp had everything our scouts wanted. Gerber Scout Reservtion in the Gerald Ford Council, definitely appealed to the scouts. The staff was 100% OA. Their whole purpose was to entertain the scouts. They performed skits (plot grew the entire week) during the meals and at the campfires. The story included Star Wars, Cub Scouts, sugar and Mt. Dew. The boys will never forget Cleatis, Verb, Jessie, Eric, Traveling Tom, Fish, Nate and Butch. Their OA Campfires and Ceremonies were the best the adult leaders have ever seen. The OA put on a special overnight program for the older scouts. Our boys loved the dining hall and the music. The boys enjoyed the Fiesta Games, Gladiator Games, water trampoline and the Boat Race. We made a Monkey Bridge and decorated our latrine like a Mt. Dew Can. The theme for the week was EXTREME SUMMER CAMP. Check out the pics on our PHOTO page.

Ockanickon Scout Reservation - Pipersville, PA
(2004)

So far, Ockanickon Scout Reservation is the camp of all camps. The only bad thing about it was the drive. They had a great cafeteria, mountain biking, mountain boarding, wood burning, a swimming pool, Leader Swim every night from 10-11pm., rock cliffs for climbing and rappelling, a Science Center that would make a High School sad and SCUBA. They even held a Magic Card Tournament on Tuesday night. The Scout Shop was like a mini-Kmart. Next year, they plan to have a par-3 Golf Hole, chipping and putting area. They have a Golf Pro on staff. There is a golf course up the road. They also had multi-day adventures with sail boats and mountain biking. Our Troop went on a Mtn Bike / Swim combo where we got to use a rope swing into a river. They also plan to build a 2nd pool in the next two years. The staff at this camp were again OVER ACCOMODATING. It seems if a Troop travels a long distance to go to a camp, they want to make sure you really enjoy it. Check out the pics on our PHOTO page.

Cole Canoe Base (CCB) - Alger, MI
(prior to 2000/2002/2003)

Cole Canoe Base, Detroit Area Council, is a great camp. They offer many merit badges. Their Aquatics program is one of the best we've seen. They have a banquet called the Beast Feast on Wednesday. Some of their activites consist of a Frontiersman competition and the famous River Rat Rodeo. One night they have an ice cream social. Meals are cooked at the campsites. Some recent addtions to CCB are a new climbing tower, Scuba BSA and Water Skiing MB.

Camp Chief Logan - Chillicothe, OH
(2001)

This was a fantastic camp for First Year Scouts. Chief Logan's program was unique in that MOST (90%) of the Merit Badges were OPEN SCHEDULED. This allowed the scouts to manage their own time. The swim area was great and heavily used by all. They have a local pop called SKI. Also, the person that everyone will remember is TURTLE. She was incharge of the Rifle Range. The STAFF here were OVER ACCOMODATING. They loved that we drove all the way from Detroit, Michigan. This camp in all about Scout Spirit. Our boys were not use to it since Cole Canoe Base does not get into it. Many of the boys would like to go back here.

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