There *probably* won't be a hike in December 2013 because it's a crazy month (the same reason we don't camp). We will try to have something regular worked out in January and beyond. Hikes will go into the event calendar as a routine thing, just like camping.

2013-11-17 Sunday A good crowd took off down the trail this month! Ten scouts and four adults hiked up the Jennifer Branch (blue trail) to the white trail, and then hiked the south bank of the Big Gunpowder Falls. Then we retraced our steps for a 10 mile hike. If you are working on your Hiking Merit Badge, please bring your blue card to the meeting on Tuesday. Scouts who participated where: Zach M., Dillon M., Kyle T., Alex O., Ben R., Ben F., Marty W., Mitch W., Cole B., and Will P.

2013-10-27 Sunday - Climbing Merit Badge
Mr. Chris took a group of Scouts to Patapsco State Park where they worked on their Climbing Merit Badge. Connor O. and Ben R. both completed the requirements, while another group of Scouts started the requirements. They are Steve P., Brad L., Marty W., Mitch W., and Cade C.

2013-10-19 Saturday at 0800 - Big Gunpowder Falls white trail head on Harford Road.
Four scouts showed up for the five mile hike on Saturday morning, Erik R., Dillon McD., Ben F., and Ben R. The hike was oriented toward the younger Scouts, but we'll let you hike if you show up! We want to start hiking regularly, one hike per month in the area and one hike on camping weekends. Day packs required, optional upgrade to loaded backpack.
The Scouts took three adults along (Erik Roese, Dave Foster, and myself) to make sure we get in shape for future hikes. We are laying the groundwork for advanced hiking and backpacking, starting last month.
Special thanks to  Kathy Schiefelbein Mc Dermott for playing chauffeur afterwards!

2013-09-22 Sunday at 0800 - Big Gunpowder Falls from Camp Cone to BCGF along the Jennifer Run.
Big SHOUT OUT to the Scouts who made it from Camp Cone back to BCGF under full kit. They made the eight miles (or so) in four hours - respectable time! Special thanks to Mr. Chris for showing up for the hike and for showing us how to safely cross the Long Green creek after a night of heavy rain.

Troop 247 is planning a trip to BSA Northern Tier High Adventure Program - Charles L. Sommers Base (aka Ely) for the summer of 2014. NTIER is part of the Triple Crown of Boy Scout High Adventure. Northern Tier focuses on a long canoeing trip through the lakes of Minnesota and Canada. Bill Blonkowski of the Baltimore Area Council is organizing troops throughout the area. He has assured the Troop that Northern Tier offers more wilderness adventure than any other High Adventure Base in BSA.
We are gathering information as quickly as possible. The first down payment is due Tuesday, November 8.