Camping & Hiking
"A bad day camping is still better than a good day at school."
- Scoutmaster Simone
NOTE: Only adults registered with the troop as committee members or assistant scoutmasters are permitted to camp with the troop.
Below are the types of camping and hiking Boy Scouting offers. Click the links at the bottom or the left under "Camping & Hiking" to learn about the many places Troop 71 camps and hikes and visit our Facebook page to view the thousands of photos of these trips. Why Go Camping
Boy Scout Camping
What are typical Scout outdoor activities? For younger Scouts, less-rugged activities are more appropriate as they begin to acquire outdoor knowledge and skills. These may include:
Day Hikes: Reasonably short hikes (three to ten miles) in terrain without a lot of elevation gain or loss.
Patrol Activities: A Boy Scout patrol or Varsity Scout squad may participate in patrol activities with the permission of its Scoutmaster or Coach and parents/guardians. Appropriate adult leadership must be present for all overnight Scouting activities.
Weekend Overnights: Troops/teams that plan and carry out outings once a month attract and retain boys at a much higher level than those that have fewer outings during the year.
Camporees: Councils and districts plan camporees and other outings during the year that give Scouts an opportunity to test their knowledge and skills in competitive events with other troops and patrols.
Summer Camp: Summer camp is what many Scouts enjoy most. Camp programs provide numerous opportunities for Scouts to earn merit badges along their advancement trail. Resident Scout camping includes at least five nights and six days of fun outdoor activities.
Jamborees: Every four years, the Boy Scouts of America hosts a National Scout Jamboree. More than 40,000 Scouts and leaders from across the country participate in this 10-day event filled with the most popular and highest-quality outdoor activities Scouts enjoy. To participate, a Scout must be at least 12 years of age by July 1 of the jamboree year and be a First Class Scout.
Council High Adventure: A high-adventure experience includes at least five nights and six days of trekking in wilderness and other rugged, remote locations. Trekking may include backpacking, canoeing, mountain biking, horse packing, mountain climbing, ski touring, rafting, kayaking, or a host of other outdoor adventures. Para with two satellite bases in Canada, provides a variety of canoe treks and programs. Philmont Scout Ranch, located in the mountains of New Mexico, provides excellent backpacking treks. Age requirements for these programs vary, but most programs are rugged and designed for older Scouts.
National High Adventure: The BSA operates unique and exciting national high-adventure bases and programs. With two locations in the Florida Keys and one in St. Thomas (USVI), the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base offers a variety of aquatic and boating programs. The Northern Tier National High Adventure Program, based in northern Minnesota with two satellite bases in Canada, provides a variety of canoe treks and programs. Philmont Scout Ranch, located in the mountains of New Mexico, provides excellent backpacking treks. Age requirements for these programs vary, but most programs are rugged and designed for older Scouts.
Unit High Adventure: The highest level of challenge for a troop or team is to plan and carry out its own high adventure experience. These activities for more experienced Scouts are planned and implemented by youth members with coaching from their adult leaders.
Venturing Camping
Venturing camping can include high-adventure activities, such as scuba diving, water skiing, rock climbing/rappelling, caving, horseback riding, and more, but can also include many avocation/hobby interests. Venturing members can participate in the national Scout Jamboree.
Venturing camping should not be just an extension of a Boy Scout resident camp. Venturers need a more teenageoriented experience. Having Venturers involved in this planning process is a must.
Important differences in outdoor programs for Venturers include:
Venturing outdoor activities must include experiences beyond those available to younger youth.
Consideration of coed involvement.
Venturers should have a voice in choosing and planning activities.
Venturing outdoor programs should be patterned after types of activities that appeal to adults and teenagers.
The camp experience should not be overly structured, and should allow Venturers the opportunity to choose activities.
Click the links below or at the left under "Camping & Hiking" to learn about the many places Troop 71 camps and hikes.