Author Archives: mjchurchman

Heading to Woodruff 2018

Posted on by
Reply

Troop 79 is headed to its 6th year at Camp Woodruff on Sunday, 6/24/2018, meeting at All Saints Episcopal Church at 7am. Be sure to have all forms, gas money, gear, and spending money with your excited Scout camper!

Every camper enjoys receiving mail and/or packages. Pass this info along to friends and relatives if they’d like to surprise your Scout with an encouraging note:

  • Woodruff Scout Reservation
    “Scout’s Name”
    Unit # 79, Week # 4
    31 Woodruff Drive
    Blairsville, GA 30512

Have a great week and check back regularly for updates and pictures from camp.

Lightweight Backpacking gear without breaking the bank

Posted on by
Reply

If you or you’re son is looking to upgrade some gear in 2017, Erik The Black’s Backpacking Blog is a pretty good resource. I’ve followed Erik for some time and he gives practical advice for whatever you’re seeking. He’s just released a Budget Ultralight Backpacking Gear List (Under $1,000) blog. Most of these recommendations are good for our climate so take a look. And this would be a pretty good kit for Philmont if that’s on the horizon for your Scout. 

True, $1,000 may not sound like much of a bargain but you don’t have to buy everything at once. This can be a resource to go back to if you’re looking for updates or replacements. Erik also does a pretty good job of covering the essentials without going overboard or being to minimalist. We have a good gearlist to follow but it’s very similar to this. 

Before our Fall trip, we had a few folks in our Troop upgrade some items and try some other gear. So if you’re looking, be sure to ask one of the adults and we can share our two cents!

http://blackwoodspress.com/blog/30888/budget-backpacking-gear-list/g

November 2016 Backpacking on Pinhoti Trail

Posted on by
Reply

On the weekend of November 12-13, 2016, Troop 79 went on its annual fall backpacking trip. This is usually a great intro to backpacking for new Scouts and 2016 did not disappoint. After learning from older Scouts at meetings and having shake-down the week before, 22 Scouts and 6 adult leaders hit the trail.

Younger Scouts left from the Cheaha Trailhead near the state park and traveled approximately 2.5 miles to McDill point. They conquered Hernandez Peak, which is nearly 2,500 feet above sea level. Once at their destination, they enjoyed views of the vast Talladega forest and ridges below. 

Older Scouts started southeast of there and followed the Nubbin Creek trail. Due to the drought there was not much water in the creek sections they crossed and they could see the dryness in the Mt. Laurel and other trees and fauna. They traveled 6 miles to meet the younger Scouts, connecting to the Pinhoti on a section of the Cave Creek Trail. 

Though colors of trees changing in fall weren’t as bright, it was still a beautiful view that awaited. See below for some of what we saw.