The Troop will be camping at the Javelina campground in Lake Pleasant Regional Park (https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/assets/1/6/group-campground1.pdf), and riding our bikes on a section of the Maricopa Trail on Saturday.
There will be other activities like hiking planned for any Scout who decides not to bike.
The Javelina campground has bathrooms and running water.
Please plan to meet at St. Bernadette’s at 5:00 PM on Friday, March 26 with your bicycle and camping gear ready to go. We will arrive back at the church on Sunday, March 28 between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM.
What to bring:
- A trail or cross country mountain bike, if you want to bike
- A helmet – you won’t be able to participate in the ride without one
- Water bottle or pack
- Day pack
- Hiking boots or shoes if you plan to participate in hiking
- Your camping gear
- Cooking gear, by patrol
- Food for meal preparation, by patrol
- Your mess kit
Meal Plan:
- Friday:
- Dinner is on your own or bring a sack dinner
- Saturday:
- Breakfast: plan by patrol
- Lunch: Sack Lunch that you could bring with you to eat on a hike or bike ride
- Dinner: by patrol
- Sunday:
- Breakfast: by patrol
- Snacks for after a long ride or hike.
- Bring a water bottle, and there is water at the campground.
Prior to this outing, we will have a bike check and safety briefing during our Monday Troop meeting on
March 22. If you’re going to bike, please bring your bicycle to this meeting. If your bike has flat tires,
please bring replacement tubes with you to the meeting and you will change them out during the bike
check.
In advance of this meeting, be sure to review the safe biking rules. https://www.scouting.org/health-
and-safety/gss/gss08/#j
Bicycle Safety
Bicycle riding is fun, healthy and a great way to be independent. But it is important to remember that a bicycle is not a toy; it’s a vehicle! Be cool—follow these basic safety tips when you ride.
- Sweet 16 of BSA Safety. As with all Scouting activities, these principles should be applied in your cycling event.
- Wear a properly fitted helmet. Protect your brain; save your life! Bicycle helmets can reduce head injuries by 85 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- Adjust your bicycle to fit. Make sure you can stand over the top tube of your bicycle.
- Assure bicycle readiness. Make sure all parts are secure and working well. Assure that tires are fully inflated and brakes are working properly.
- See and be seen. Wear clothing that makes you more visible, such as bright neon or fluorescent colors. Wear reflective clothing or tape. Avoid riding at night.
- Watch for and avoid road hazards. Stay alert at all times. Be on the lookout for hazards, such as potholes, broken glass, gravel, puddles, leaves, animals, or anything that could cause you to crash. If you are riding with friends and you are in the lead, call out and point to the hazard to alert the riders behind you.
- Follow the rules of the road. Check and obey all local traffic laws. Always ride on the right side of the road in the same direction as other vehicles. Go with the flow—not against it! Yield to traffic and watch for parked cars.
