Troop 5 Scoutmaster Announcements – Apr 1, 2025

Backpacking checklists were distributed at tonight’s meeting. You can find a few different checklists as well as a diagram of how to properly pack a backcountry hiking pack on our troop website: https://www.troop5norfolk.com/2024/03/29/backpacking-checklists/. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. Scouts should plan to carry at least 3 liters of water each and in a container or bladder that will not slosh around. (You don’t want that weight to suddenly shift on you while hiking.) Next week the scouts will cover nutrition and water needs and begin preparing their food plan with their assigned buddy. Any practice you can do going up and down stairs or any incline will be helpful – the Appalachian Trail is almost infinitely more mountainous that Norfolk.

Another reminder that all participants (scouts and adults) going on this backcountry hiking trip must (1) have a current medical form parts A & B and (2) meet Scouting America’s height/weight restrictions in order to attend. This is also a good time to remind everyone going to summer camp that you will need part C completed by a physician. The physician must specifically complete the scout medical form; another other medical form will not suffice.

SCUBA outing information for July 8th has been sent out. Stay tuned for more details coming soon on upcoming swim test (tentatively April 29th) and services projects, including Clean the Bay Day on June 7th.

Thanks everyone,
Scott