Adults and Scouts, please sign up at www.SignUpGenius.com/go/70A0B4FA4AF238-grand

Troop 818 will be traveling to the Grand Canyon National Park to explore and enjoy one of the greatest locations in Arizona and possibly the United States.

Departure:  Friday, March 17th 5:00pm from Saint Bernadette Catholic Church

Return:  Sunday, March 19th between 2:00pm-4:00pm

EXCEPT: Scouts on the Philmont Crew doing their own training excursion in the Canyon. They will return Monday, March 20th between 5pm and 7pm

Camping: The Scouts will be camping approximately 20 miles East of the South Rim Visitors Center in State Park Area (close to where the Arizona Trail enters the Grand Canyon National Park).   Camping will be in a dispersed camping area and will be “car camping style”.   The Scout Patrols will have their Patrol Boxes (cooking gear) and will sleep in tents with their patrol members.

The Scout Patrols will organize their tent buddies and meal plan.

Meal Planning:

  • Friday Dinner = on the road, most likely in Flagstaff, bring money or a brown bag dinner
  • Saturday Breakfast = Patrol’s Organize
  • Saturday Lunch = Scout’s plan individual trail lunch
  • Saturday Dinner = Patrol’s Organize (Scouts on Greatest Day Hike will eat but not be there at preparation, so plan respectfully)
  • Sunday Breakfast = Patrol’s Organize
  • Sunday Lunch = on the road, most likely in Flagstaff, bring money or a brown bag lunch

Gear (things to remember):

  • Tent (Scouts will be sharing tents with a tent buddy)
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Daypack for hiking
  • Hiking shoes
  • Warm clothes (watch the weather, it is chilly at the Grand Canyon)
  • Water Container (preferably Nalgene)
  • Mess Kit (no paper or plastic plates, forks, etc)
  • Sleeping pad, if you want one

Activities/Plan (Adults and Scouts, please sign up at www.SignUpGenius.com/go/70A0B4FA4AF238-grand)

On Saturday morning, the Scouts will be dividing into three groups:

Greatest Day Hike (Advanced Hike) – This is a day hike named by Backpacker Magazine as the “Greatest Day Hike in Arizona”, the group will get dropped off the Kaibab Trailhead after breakfast and will hike down to the Tonto Trail, across to Indian Garden and then hike out of the Grand Canyon on the Bright Angel Trail.   Water is not available until Indian Garden and this hike is challenging and requires a Scout to be adequately prepared both physically and with equipment.   This hike is not recommended for newer Scouts and requires Scoutmaster approval to join.   Scoutmaster Chris Smith and several other Assistant Scoutmasters will lead this activity. We will return to our campsite, Saturday evening between 8pm and 9pm.

Grand Canyon Hike (Moderate Hike) – This is a general hike in the Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim Visitors Center. The Scouts along with the Adult Leaders will determine an all inclusive – all abilities day hike that showcases the splendor of the Grand Canyon.   Sample ideas may be to hike down the Bright Angel Trail to the 1.5 mile or 3 mile house or to hike along the Arizona Trail or many of the scenic hikes in the Park. Scouts should plan to have appropriate hiking gear, daypacks and water containers (not plastic water bottles).

Grand Canyon Visitor Hike (Easy Hike) – This is an easy hike thru the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and Rim area. It will be for Scouts that have limited hiking experience.   Scouts should still plan to have appropriate gear, daypacks and water containers (not plastic water bottles), as we will be away from our campsite for the entire day.