I hope you have all heard the GREAT news that Troop 131 is returning to our camping program.
We are excited you will be joining us for the T-131 Return to Camping this weekend (Camping Merit Badge, Cooking Merit Badge, Communications Merit Badge). The weather looks good. It is supposed to be 67 and sunny on Saturday, so make sure your Scouts pack a hat and sunscreen. Should be nice at night as well (Astronomy Merit Badge)
Each Scout will need his own tent (unless he is camping with a family member)
Drop off time on Friday is anytime after 6:00
We will be doing temperature checks (as per COVID protocols) so please make sure we check them before you leave.
Pick up time on Sunday is 08:00
Bring rope, pen and paper, and a compass (Orienteering Merit Badge). Older Scouts will be demonstrating knot tying, orienteering, etc. Also probably want some bug spray. It looks like there is a great overlook nearby. (Bird Study Merit Badge)
You will notice I’m highlighting some opportunities for merit badge work. You can find all the merit badges at: https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/advancement-and-awards/merit-badges/
And while it is up to the Scouts to select, plan, and work on, merit badges, this is a great opportunity for the younger Scouts to work with the older ones on some of these. T-131 is BOY LED, so I’m not organizing any particular event or ‘classes’ but I’m sure the older Scouts would welcome the opportunity to demonstrate their leadership skills for any of these. I am happy to help facilitate wherever needed. I’m sure there are plenty more merit badges that they can work on, I just wanted to highlight that even though this isn’t an ‘activity based camp out’ there are still plenty of things to do. This is NOT a merit badge event/ camp out/ etc. Just pointing out there is plenty to do. If you have any questions about merit badges, please contact
And of course, if some of the parents want to come out on Sat for the day and facilitate an activity for the Scouts, we are happy to have the help, many hands make light work.
If anyone is working on, or interested in starting, their hiking merit badge, there is a part of the Appalachian Trail near by. It’s about 6 miles between trailheads, so you could do the introductory 5 mile hike (one way) or a 10 mile hike (there and back). But that would have to be arranged with a driver because the Snicker Gap trail head is about 2 miles away from our campsite.
There will be another Troop sharing the site with us, they have campsites #1 and 2, so they are separated from us by a treeline. They are doing white water rafting from Harper’s Ferry (about a 30 min drive away) for the day (possible American Heritage merit badge opportunity), so they will mostly be gone on Sat, but we will see them Fri and Sat night.
Kevin Jahns will be at the Scout Shed at the Church tonight (THURSDAY) at 7:00PM in case anyone needs to pick up any gear
We are NOT meeting ahead of time, due to COVID protocols the Troop is NOT coordinating transportation for this trip.
PLEASE Read the Driving directions:
You can also see the directions on the T-131 website at:
And let me know if you have any questions. I hope to get there early if people have issues, but cell phone service was spotty at the campsite, it had 1-2 bars on the road.
This is a car drop off point, so the Scouts aren’t hiking into the site, it’s a short walk from the picnic area to Site #3 (our spot), but they will need their backpacks to get stuff there (Backpacking Merit Badge)
If you haven’t already done so, please fill out the standard Permission slip:
You can just print it out and have your Scout bring it with them if you want. I will collect them onsite (or you can email a copy to me)
Food is by Patrols, so PLEASE make sure your Scout knows the plan for eating.
Please let me know if you have any questions. We are looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend!
Brendan Mulvaney
Outings Coordinator
Boy Scout Troop 131
