Several members of Troop 606 enjoyed an outstanding trip to Sequioa National Park over the three-day weekend.  The conditions were great for snow camping, snow-cave building, snow shoeing, snow ball fights - even snow angels.  Did we happen to mention there was lots of SNOW?!

 

Fourteen Scouts and four adults set up camp at Lodgepole Campground in about 5 feet of packed powder.  A kitchen area was carved out of snow.  A fire ring - complete with comfy seating-in-the-round - was built in the snow as well.  The group slept in tents or under the stars the first night, with a low overnight temperature of 21 degrees F.  Brrrr!

 

Thank goodness that breakfast on Sunday was an all-you-can-eat buffet at the Kaweah Lodge.  After breakfast, Ranger Pam led the group on a nature hike through the forest on snow shoes. She explained how to recognize the various trees, including Sugar Pine, Fir, Cedar, and the Giant Sequoia.  After snow-shoeing and a quick visit to the museum, the group returned to camp.

 

Back in camp, the Scouts got busy building snow caves.  Five caves were built and four were slept in by ten Scouts.  The caves provided insulation so the temperature in the snow caves was significanlty higher than the outside temp.  That's a good thing, since the overnight temperture on the second night was 28 degrees F.

 

On Monday morning, camp was broken down, snow caves were collapsed for safety reasons, and the Scouts left the area as clean as possible and headed home.  What a great trip!

 

Many thanks to Mr. Eric J. for planning, organizing, and leading the event.  The Scouts learned a great deal during an unforgetable trip - and they also had a blast!

 

Thanks also to adult leaders Mr. Diego G., Mr. Mark B., and Mr. Mark K. for attending and assisting.  A special thanks to Mr. Jon M., who hauled Scouts and gear up and back but could not camp with us.

Scouts who attended:

Buddy B., Ryan B., Jake B., Kevin C., Charlie C., Lane D., Sam G., Ruy G., Dylan K., Neil K., Jey L., Luke M., Kyle S., and Cameron V.

See the pictures at: http://picasaweb.google.com/Troop606/SequoiaSnowCamp2008