The occasional rain showers of the last weekend in April were no match for the spirit of fifteen Troop 71 Scouts on their overnight camping trip to Harriman State Park in Bear Mountain, NY — the second-largest park in the parks system, with 31 lakes and reservoirs, 200 miles of hiking trails, two beaches, two public camping areas, a network of group camps, miles of streams and scenic roads, and scores of wildlife species, vistas and vantage points.
Lugging full backpacks, the group hiked the yellow Appalachian Trail about 1.5 miles along the scenic Silver Mine Lake to the steep, rocky mountainside leading to the Letterock campsite. After setting up camp, the Scouts challenged themselves with a two-hour building competition that engaged them to collect and cut wood to fashion a structure judged for teamwork, design, height and strength, with the winning Patrol treated to a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies.
The Scouts then honed their fire building skills to prepare their assortment of “foil broil” dinners and warm themselves until lights out for much needed rest. After a relaxing morning with breakfast, the Scouts packed up and trekked back down the mountain and headed home. For more information about Troop 71, visit www.plandometroop71.com.
