The October backpacking trip will be Saturday, October 20 and 21 along the Tully Trail in Royalston, MA. We will meet at the parish center on Saturday morning at 8:00 AM and leave at 8:30 AM. Please be at St. Mary’s at 8:00 AM so that we may load up the gear and check everyone in. We will return for pick up at the parish center by 5:00 PM on Sunday. Scouts need to bring a bag lunch and the items listed on the Troop 4 backpacking equipment list. The list is available on our website. Remember to pack warm. October days can be warm but nights are cold.

The area around the Tully Trail is known for its scenic views, including Royalston Falls, the highest Massachusetts waterfall east of the CT River. We will be camping along the river about a mile upstream from the falls, in a remote area that includes an Adirondack shelter, and plenty of room for tent camping. Scouts will be broken down into ability groups so that everyone can hike to the campsite at a comfortable pace. Once we establish camp, we’ll take side hikes to nearby sites, including the waterfall, a beaver pond, and a natural stone bridge. Since this will be the first camping trip for many of our new scouts, we will be doing a lot of preparation and training at our upcoming meetings. For food, scouts need to bring a bag lunch for Saturday, and will be cooking patrol-style on backpacking stoves for dinner and breakfast. We’ll make a fast food stop for lunch on the way home on Sunday – so be sure to have some money. Scouts will plan their patrol meals at the October 4th troop meeting.

For newer scouts that have not yet had an opportunity to purchase a backpack, we have one or two Troop packs that you can borrow for the event. Contact Ron Gorham.

If your son will be attending the backpacking trip, please complete the attached permission slip and return it to the Troop Scribe at the at the October 11th troop meeting. If your son would like to attend but won’t be at the October 11th troop meeting, please call or email Ron Gorham at 508-868-8793 or gorhamfamily6@verizon.net. Also - We will need a few parents to drive to/from and/or stay for the event. If you can help out please indicate so on the permission slip.

If your son will be attending, please drop off the attached permission slip no later than the October 11th Troop Meeting, or email the form earlier to Ron Gorham.