BSA TROOP 189 PHILOMONT ADVENTURE

EVENT GUIDEBOOK 11-13 MARCH 2016

BLACKBURN TRAIL CENTER 34899 APPALACHIAN TRAIL ROAD

ROUND HILL, VA 20141

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Concept

TheAppalachianTrail(AT)isthelongesthiking-onlyfootpathintheworldat2,168miles.Eachyear

thousandsofthroughhikersattempttowalktheentirelengthstartinginthespring&endinginthefall.Butthetrailremains“open”yearroundtosectionhikerswillingtobravetheweatherinshortdoses.

SeveralvolunteerorganizationsmaintaintheAT.ThePotomacAppalachianTrailClub(PATC)isavolunteer-basedorganizationheadquarteredinVienna,Virginia.ThePATCwasfoundedin1927bythevisionarieswhoplanned&builttheAppalachianTrail.Theclubnowmanagesmorethan1,050milesofhikingtrailsintheMid-Atlanticregion,alongwithcabins,shelters,&hundredsofacresofconservedland.

EarningtheBSAcookingmeritbadgeisarequirementforattainingEagleScout.Thebadgeisextensive,requiringaScouttodemonstratefirstaidprocedures,properlyhandlefoods,preventfood-bornediseases,handlefoodallergies,plannutritiousmenus,understandvariouscookingtechniques,&putallofthisknowledgeinactionbyplanning,preparing,&servingavarietyofkitchen,outdoor,&backpackingmeals.

Thisweekend’sadventurebasestheTroop’sactivitiesoutofoneofPATC’spremiercabinsalongtheAT.BlackburnTrailCentersleeps25people&offersmanyamenities(alargemodernfully-stockedkitchen,runningwater(butoutdoorprivies),mattresses,&electricity)toallowustoconducttwoseparatescoutingprogramsregardlessoflikelyinclementweather.Ifweexceedcapacity,thegroundshaveatentsitewithpavilion&a4-personrustichikercabin.WewillseparatebothScouts&Scoutersintotwogroups.GroupAwillfocustheireffortsonachievingthecookingmeritbadge.To“spiceup”thecookingmeritbadgeourcadrewilldrawuponpopularcookingshowssuchasCampCutthroat,CutthroatKitchen,&IronCheftointroducetheelementsofteamwork,competition,&overcomingchallengeswithcreativeproblemsolving.Meanwhile,GroupBwillbackpackan8-milesectionoftheATalongtheinfamous“rollercoaster”toBearsDenHostelwheretheyremainovernightbeforemakingthereturnhiketoBlackburnTrailCenter;thusearningoneofthethree16-miletreksrequiredforthebackpackingmeritbadge.

WeplantostepbackinhistorybymakingashortvisittoPhilomontGeneralStoreonourwaybackhome.

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TroopScheduleofEvents

Day118:30 LinkupalreadyfedatPNCBank,5285WaterwayDr,Dumfries,VA;foodshopping@FoodLion20:00 Loadvehicles&depart(1½hourdrive)21:30 ArriveBlackburnTrailCenter,34899AppalachianTrailRd,RoundHill,VA;setupcabin,troop

crackerbarrelbycadre,prepareforfollowingday’sactivities,&personalhygiene22:30 Lightsout&videopresentation:Camp/CutthroatKitchenDay207:00 Wakeup,personalhygiene07:30 Troopbreakfastbycadre08:00 Beginseparateprograms22:00 LightsoutatBlackburnTrailCenter&BearsDenHostelDay307:00 Wakeup,personalhygiene07:30 BreakfastatBlackburnTrailCenter&BearsDenHostel08:00 Beginseparateprograms13:30 GroupBarrivesatBlackburnTrailCenter14:00 DepartBlackburnTrailCenter(½hourdrive)14:30 ArrivePhilomontGeneralStore,36550JebStuartRd,Philomont,VA15:00 Depart(1hourdrive)16:00 ArriveatPattieElementarySchool,16125DumfriesRd,Dumfries,VAforpickup

GroupA(Cooking)ProgramPlan&Shop Teamsaregiven1½hourstoplanmenus&shopperreqts5,6,&7(Day1,18:30)Academics Meritbadgecounsellorprovides2hoursofinstructionperreqts1-4(Day2,08:00)KitchenChallenge Teamsaregiven3hourstosetupkitchenworkstations&prepare1breakfast,1lunch,1

dinner,&1dessertusingatleast5of7cookingmethodsperreqt5whiledealingwithcadre-imposedchallenges(Day2,10:00)

PatrolChallenge Teamsaregiven3hourstosetupoutdoorworkstations&prepare2mealsusingstoveorfire&differentmethods:1mealusingdutchoven,foilpack,orkabob;&1dessertorsnackperreqt6whiledealingwithcadre-imposedchallenges(Day2,14:00)

BackpackChallenge Teams are given an individual packing list, map, & 4 hours to pack individual gear,cookingequipment,&foodpermenuplan;hiketothepointonthemap;&prepare2meals(onemustbecookedoverabackpackingstove)&asnackperreqt7whiledealingwithvariouscadre-imposedchallenges(Day3,08:00)

GroupB(Backpacking)Program

Plan&Shop Teamsaregiven1½hourstoplanmenus&shop(Day1,18:30)Academics Meritbadgecounsellorprovides2hoursofinstructionperreqts1-9(Day2,08:00)TrekPart1 8-milehikewithtraillunch&snacksfor~5.5hoursalongATtoBearsDenperreqt10

(Day2,10:00)Hiker’sSpecial $30perparticipantgetsyouabunk, clean towel& linens,hot shower,pizza/soda/ice

creamdinner,&all-you-can-makepancakebreakfastatBearsDenHostel(Day2,15:30)TrekPart2 8-milehikewithtraillunch&snacksfor~5.5hoursalongATtoBearsDenperreqt10

(Day3,08:00)

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Safety&EmergencyProcedures

BuddyTeam&YouthProtection• AllScoutswillutilizethebuddysystematalltimes,

reportingtotheirPatrolLeader,SeniorPatrolLeader,&/orScoutmasteriftheyaredepartingtheTroop’simmediateareaforanyreason

• Non-ScoutyouthparticipatinginTroopactivitiesmustbesupervisedbytheirparentorguardian

• AlladultsprovidingdirectionsupervisionofScouts(asidefromtheirownchild(ren))requirecurrentBSAYouthProtectionTrainingfoundathttps://myscouting.scouting.org

Tornado

• Ifyouhearorseeatornadocoming,warnothers,&takecoverrightaway• Ifyou'reinabuilding,gotothemiddleofthelowestlevelawayfromwindows(bathroomorclosetif

possible)• Getundersomethingsturdy,suchasaheavytable,holdon,&staythereuntilthedangerhaspassed• Useyourotherarm&handtoprotectyourhead&neckfromdebris• Ifthereisnobuildingnearby,lieflatinalowspot&useyourarms&handstoprotectyourhead

Lightning

• Thesafestplacetobeduringalightningstormisinsidearelativelylarge,fullyenclosedbuilding• Avoidbodiesofwater,openareas,highground,tallobjects(trees,lightpoles),smallsheltersin

openareas,&metalobjects• Ifyouareoutdoors&lightningisintheimmediatearea,crouchdownwithfeetclosetogether,

keepyourheaddown,&coveryourearstominimizehearingdamagefromthunder• Stayatleast100feetawayfromotherindividualsintheareatopreventboltsfrom• jumpingfrompersontoperson

Injuries

• Scoutstreatminorinjuriesusingtheirindividualfirstaidkit• Forseriousinjuries&hurrycases,Scoutsperformimmediateaid,&callforassistancewiththreeshort

whistleblasts• ThefirstScouterstoarriveonthesceneprovidesadditionalimmediateaidasrequired,&determines

whethermedicalevacuationisrequiredbyambulance(911)ortroopvehicle• Nearesthospitalemergencyroom

16miles/30minutesfromBlackburn&17miles/25minutesfromBearsDenInovaEmergencyCareCenter,(703)737-7520224CornwallStreetNorthwest,Leesburg,VA20176

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Equipment&SupportRequirements

AllScoutsbringthefollowing:

¨ ClassAuniform(fortravel)¨ Backpackthatholds:

o BSAHandbook,paper,&writingutensilinwaterproofbago BSA10Essentialso 2litersofwaterminimumo Whistleo Headlampwithsparebatterieso Sleepingbag&pado Messkitwitheatingutensilo Toiletrieso Hat,gloves,&jacketo Changeofclothes(layersofwickingmaterials,nocotton!)inwaterproofbago Camera(optional)

¨ Nojunkfoodorelectronics¨ SpendingmoneyforasnackatPhilomontGeneralStoreonthewayback

GroupA(Cooking)Scoutsbringthefollowingextragear:

¨ Backpackingstoves,cooksets,&fuel(selectScouts)¨ CookingMeritBadgeWorksheetsathttps://www.meritbadge.org/wiki/images/b/b2/Cooking-07.pdf¨ $30cashgrubfee:$3tocovertroopcrackerbarrel&breakfast,&$27tocovercookingmeritbadge

ingredients&specialgear(e.g.,aluminumfoil,spices,etc)for2xbreakfasts,3xlunches,2xdinners,3xdesserts/snacks

GroupB(Backpacking)Scoutsbringthefollowingextragear:

¨ Waterfilters,backpackingstoves,cooksets,&fuel(selectScouts)¨ $15cashgrubfee:$3tocovertroopcrackerbarrel&breakfast,&$12tocover2xtraillunches,trail

snacks,&specialgear(e.g.,heavydutyZiplocbags,etc)¨ $30cashforBearsDenHiker’sSpecial(bunk,cleantowel&linens,hotshower,pizza/soda/icecream

dinner,&all-you-can-makepancakebreakfast)¨ TrailMap(perEventGuide)

Thetroopprovides:

¨ RentalfeefortwonightsatBlackburnTrailCenter¨ Tourplan

BlackburnTrailCenter

BearsDenHostel

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¨ Troopfirstaidkitforthecabin¨ Backpackingtents¨ Cookware,dutchovens,&dutchovenhandlers&mitts¨ Pioneertools

Cadresupport:

¨ Max7vehicles(ideallyall-wheel/four-wheeldrive)&trooptrailer¨ Min2adultsforthebackpackingtrek(atleast1withCPR/WFAtraining)withfirstaidkit,ELBdevice,

waterfilters,&backpackingstoves/cooksets/fuel¨ Min4adultsforthecookingmeritbadge(1to“host,”1to“judge,”&1tomentoreachteam)

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DirectionstoBlackburnTrailCenter,34899AppalachianTrailRoad,RoundHill,VA20141

viaPhilomontGeneralStore,36550JebStuartRd,Philomont,VA

1) TakearightoutofFoodLion&headnorthonVA-234for18.9miles2) MergeontoI-66WtowardsFrontRoyalfor4.5miles3) Takeexit40&turnrightontoUS-15NtowardsLeeburgfor36.7miles4) Atthesecondtrafficcircle(Gilbert’sCorner),takethe2ndexitontoUS-50W&proceedfor1.7miles5) TurnrightontoStateRte734for11.2miles6) TurnrightontoStateRte719for6.3miles7) TurnleftontoStateRte713&travelalonggravelroadsuntilyoureachthecabintopark(~8spaces)

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BSA TROOP 189 PHILOMONT ADVENTURE: 11-13 MAR 2016 Who:Troop189Scouts&Scouters What:LaterwintercabincampingalongtheAppalachianTrailinNorthernVirginia

Where: DropoffatPNCBank,5285WaterwayDrive,Dumfries,VA;cabincampingatBlackburnTrailCenter,34899AppalachianTrailRd,RoundHill,VA;backpackingovernightatBearsDenHostel,18393BlueRidgeMountainRd,Bluemont,VA;visittoPhilomontGeneralStore,36550JebStuartRd,Philomont,VA;pickupatPattieElementarySchool,16125DumfriesRd,Dumfries,VA

When:From18:30Friday,11March2016to16:00Sunday,13March2016

Why:Testourmettleasweworktowardsthecamping,cooking,&backpackingmeritbadges

Weather&LightData:monthlyaverages:53Fhigh,30Flow,3.6”precipitation;sunrise06:23&sunset18:12

With:PerEquipment&SupportRequirementslistinEventGuide;eatdinnerpriortolinkupFridaynight

""""""""""cuthere,keeptheupperportion,&turninlowerportionwithyourfees""""""""""

BSA TROOP 189 PHILOMONT ADVENTURE: 11-13 MAR 2016 Astheparentorlegalguardianof____________________________________________,Iherebygive my

permissionforthischildtoparticipateinanoutingwithTroop189,linkinguponFriday,11March

2016attheMontclairPNCBankat18:30,campingtwonightsatBlackburnTrailCenter/BearsDen

Hostel,&returningSunday,13March2016atapproximately16:00toPattieElementarySchool.Igive

permissiontotheleadersoftheaboveunit torenderFirstAid,shouldtheneedarise.Intheeventof

anemergency,Ialsogivepermissiontothe physician, selected by the Adult Leader in charge, to

hospitalize, secure proper anesthesia,order injection,orsecureothermedicaltreatment,asneeded. I

furtheragreetoholdtheabovenamedunit&itsleadersblamelessforanyaccidentsthatmightoccur

duringthisouting exceptfor clear acts of negligence or non-adherence to BSA policies & guidelines.

In case of anemergency,Icanbereachedbyphoneat:___________________________or

___________________________.IntheeventIcannotbereached,pleasecontact

___________________________at___________________________.

Printednameofparentorguardian:____________________________________________

Signatureorparentorguardian:____________________________________________

Date:___________________________