For our upcoming outing, the Troop will be heading to Zion National Park. According to National Geographic, “Zion National Park could be called a heaven on earth, a red-rock wonderland created by wind, water, and snow. Mormon pioneers arriving in the area in the 1860s were so overwhelmed by the natural beauty of Zion Canyon and its surroundings that they named it after the Old Testament name for the city of Jerusalem.”
Summary:
Monday, August 30th bring gear to Troop Meeting and load trailer
Friday, September 3rd, Scouts will rally at St. Bernadette’s at 3:30 PM for a 4:00 PM Departure.
Monday, September, 6th return to St. Bernadette’s about 3:00 PM
Outing Plan
Monday, August 30th at 7:00 pm– bring Scout Packs (gear, tents, supplies, etc.) to St. Bernadette Catholic Church to load into the Troop Trailer. The Scouts will be traveling with limited space, so there is very little room for gear. Bring just your day pack and refillable water bottle. Also since the Scouts will be arriving late to the Watchman Campground, the Scout tents will be set up and waiting for the Scouts, so they can quickly and quietly settle in for the night. We are in a formal National Park campground so we will have neighbors and our hikes and activities will start early Saturday morning.
Friday, September 3rd, at 3:30 pm – Scouts meet at St. Bernadette Church to load. It is important that the vehicles depart by 4:00 pm, as it is a long drive to Zion.
Saturday, September 4th – Troop Hike in the Narrows (see photo above), this hike is up the Virgin River, so be prepared to be wet (old shoes, swimming trunks, walking stick, etc.).
Sunday, September 5th – Troop Hikes to point of interest determined by Scouts (divided into ability groups)
Monday, September 6th – break camp and return to St. Bernadette Church (ETA is 3pm-ish).
MEAL PLANNING:
Friday Dinner – Each vehicle will determine where they will stop for dinner along the way (Flagstaff is suggested), so Scouts can bring money for dinner or pack a dinner to eat.
Saturday Breakfast – Scouts will eat by Patrol, breakfast will be early to aid in departure time for Narrows hike. Patrols to plan accordingly.
Saturday Lunch – Scouts should pack an individual trail lunch for themselves as they will be eating on the Narrows Hike, be sure to pack your lunch in something waterproof and be prepared to “pack in and pack out” everything.
Saturday Dinner – Scouts will eat by Patrol. Plan a well-balanced menu.
Sunday Breakfast – Scouts will eat by Patrol, breakfast will be early to aid in departure time for Narrows hike. Patrols to plan accordingly.
Sunday Lunch – same as Saturdays’ Lunch, Scouts will be eating on their hike. Cooking Merit badge requirements opportunity to make trail lunch. Pre-pare ahead and read requirements.
Sunday Dinner – Scouts will eat by patrol. Plan a well-balanced menu.
Monday Breakfast – Breakfast in Camp by Patrol, plan something easy as the Troop will be cleaning up the campsite and departing to return to Phoenix.
Monday Lunch – Drivers will be stopping for lunch, so Scouts should have money or pack a lunch to eat at the planned stopping point.
MEALPLAN SUMMARY:
Patrols / Patrol Grubmaster should be coordinating 3 breakfasts and 2 glorious dinners. Lunches can be planned by patrols or individually but this should be decided by Patrols at the planning meeting the Monday before departure. If the Patrol decides to do Saturday and Sunday lunches by Patrol rather than each individual Scout they will need to be prepared at breakfast time for the day as we will not be returning to camp for lunch.
Each Scout should have money or planned food for Friday Dinner and Monday Lunch, plus 2 hiking/trail lunches for Saturday (Narrows) and Sunday (Observation Point). Scouts should also have enough nutritious snacks for the hikes to maintain their energy.
SPECIAL GEAR / GEAR NOTES:
Scouts should be mindful that gear space is limited and that we are staying in a formal National Park Campground. Water and restrooms are available. Scouts should pack and prepare for this outing as they have prior outings, with the following notes:
– Expect rain, so raingear and rain flies for tents are required
– Saturday’s hike (Narrows) is in/thru the Virgin River, bring separate shoes that can get wet in the muddy ankle-high water. Tevas or Keens Water Shoes are ideal for this hike. Everything you bring on this hike can and probably will get wet.
– Sunday’s hike is 4+ miles on established trails, so good hiking boots or shoes and a light pack with plenty of water and snacks are essential.
– Troop Uniform is a must for travel days and our religious ceremony.
CONCLUSION
This has been one of the most popular Outings and one the Scouts overwhelming voted to do again for 2021. There is a lot of logistics and details for this outing. If a parent has any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. If a Scout has questions, he should ask his Patrol Leader.
Cal Carlson
