Camping with Troop 85

Troop 85 believes the heart and soul of Scouting is found in the outdoors, so we get out as often as we can, in all types of weather. We schedule weekend campouts at least ten times a year. We camp at State Parks, Scout camps and on private land.

Our older Scouts sometimes go on outings which are more physically and mentally challenging. These trips have included caving, rappelling, canoeing and climbing.

The troop traditionally meets at American Legion Post on Friday evenings so we can depart by 6 pm. We return to the ALP Sunday afternoon, after 1:00 pm. On campouts far from home, leaders will estimate our Sunday arrival time before we leave so parents have a general idea of when we'll return. If we’ve traveled an unusually long distance, we stop on the way back so Scouts can call home with our arrival time.

Troop 85 doesn't have a camping fee for weekend campouts unless there are unusual expenses to cover (like canoe rentals). Scouts do pay $10 for the food they will eat. Each patrol plans its own menu and the SPL approves it. One Scout in each patrol buys the food for his patrol and the buying responsibility rotates among patrol members.

Troop 85 provides gear for each patrol to take on campouts. We have excellent tents, groundcovers, lanterns, stoves and a complete camp kitchen for each patrol. For regular troop campouts, Scouts only need to bring personal gear (sleeping bags, clothes, flashlights, etc.).

Troop campouts are designed by the Patrol Leaders' Council to offer training in Scouting skills, advancement opportunities and to be FUN! Over the course of a year, the troop regularly works on merit badge requirements for cooking, camping, hiking, canoeing, orienteering, pioneering, and many others.