2015 Summer Adventure
2015 Summer Adventure Weminuche Wilderness Backpacking
INFORMATION MEETING >> Tuesday, February 3, 6:00 PM Interested parents and Trailmen are requested to attend the Troop Planning Meeting to discuss this information packet as well as address any questions or concerns that anyone may have.
DATES >> Saturday, June 13 Saturday, June 20 The Troop will depart from the DBC Hangar at 5:00 AM on Saturday (June 13) and arrive back at the DBC Hangar the following Saturday (6/20) around 8:00 PM.
General Schedule Sat AM Sat PM: Drive from Denton to Basecamp Sat PM Mon AM: Basecamp (acclimatization & orientation) Mon AM Fri PM: Backpacking Fri PM Sat AM: Basecamp (debriefing) Sat AM Sat PM: Drive from Basecamp to Denton
LOCATION >> Basecamp is located ~15 miles north of the town of Pagosa Springs, Colorado and hosts Mountain Light Lodge (a fullsized, B&Bstyle log lodge) and Rustic Outpost (a rustic bunkhouse) and is situated on a 35acre homestead that is completely surrounded by National Forest. While at Basecamp, the Troop will be staying in the Rustic Outpost. While details regarding the backpacking trip are still being finalized, it will take place within the Weminuche Wilderness area, which exists within the San Juan National Forest of southwest Colorado. Once the trip’s details and itinerary have been finalized, an addendum to this guide will be provided with the additional information. Every effort is being made to have this information ready for the aforementioned Information Meeting.
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OBJECTIVES >> Physical Carrying 2050 lbs of additional weight; performing with 25% less oxygen in the air; climbing and/or descending several thousand feet in a single day; existing in a new, dynamic, and unpredictable environment; and even performing simple tasks such as eating and sleeping without the normal comforts of home will physically challenge each and every participant.
Educational While many of the skills that are relevant to a trip like this will have been introduced in an academic sense or on a very small scale, we’re going to be spending the entire week in the world’s greatest classroom an officiallydesignated wilderness area. Some of the skills that will be practiced include, but are not limited to: ● ● ● ● ● ●
Trip/Camp Management Packing Strategies Tread Lightly Principles Orienteering Basic Shelter Construction Proactive First Aid
Most importantly, each Trailman’s experience will enable him to effectively teach these skills to other Trailmen.
Spiritual Romans 1:20 tell us that God’s “eternal power” and “divine nature” are clearly seen through what has been made, so we will be literally surrounded by his character during the entirety of our trip. Being a good steward of this opportunity will involve both listening and discussing. Every day, we’ll individually still ourselves before God and listen to (and journal about) what his Spirit might impress upon our heart. Additionally, we’ll daily explore (through discussion and the study of the Bible) each of the Four Disciplines: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Commitment Obedience Perseverance Service
Specifically, we’ll explore how they apply to the Summer Adventure trip, our Troop, our friends and families, our church, and our community.
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ELIGIBILITY >> All Navigator and Adventurer Trailmen (including bridging Mountain Lions from the Woodlands Trail Program and bridging Webelos who have been awarded the Arrow of Light) are welcome to participate, provided they have satisfied the following requirements as of June 1, 2015: ● ● ● ●
15 Service Hours Attend at least 60% of the 2015 Troop Meetings Attend at least 3 2015 monthly campouts Earn the following Trail Badges: ○ Camping ○ Fire Ranger ○ First Aid ○ Ropework ● Submit required payments (detailed below) ● Participate in all required preparation (detailed below)
COST >> $600 per person, allinclusive Payment must be made according to the following schedule: ● Tue, March 17: $100 Deposit Due ● Tue, May 26: Remaining Balance Due To help offset the outofpocket cost, Trailmen are encouraged to participate in the Hybrid Light Fundraiser. All money that a Trailman earns through the Fundraiser will be applied toward their trip cost. All raised funds will be tracked and managed by the Troop and Denton Bible Church. Additionally, the Denton Bible Church S.W.E.A.T. ministry will offer Trailmen paid opportunities to work on projects in and around the Denton community. All money earned by Trailmen that work on these projects will be tracked and managed by the Trailman and his family; the Troop and/or Denton Bible Church will have no responsibility in tracking and/or managing these earned wages. For more information regarding these opportunities, please contact: Hybrid Light Fundraiser S.W.E.A.T. Project Opportunities Jack Ragsdale Alex Joseph [email protected] [email protected] (972) 9892716 (214) 8761107
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PACKING >> While major/team equipment and all of the food will be provided by the trip’s operator, each Trailman must bring everything necessary for a weeklong backpacking trip. Items worth noting: ● Sleeping Bag. Must support sleeping in upper20’s/lower30’s and fit into a waterproof stuff sack. Synthetic insulation is preferable. ● Sleeping Pad. Trailman’s preference, but it needs to support lashing to a backpack with 2 lash straps. ● Extra Lash Straps. 46 lash straps will be needed for lashing sleeping bag and sleeping pad to the backpack. ● Boots. Must be compatible with a weeklong backpacking trip and properly broken in prior to the trip. ● Clothing. In addition to typical outdoor recreation wear, this should include articles for both warmth (fleece) and rain (some sort of shell or waterproof parka). Typical weather will range from low30’s at night to the low70’s during the day with the occasional afternoon thundershower. Exceptions are common and can introduce wide ranges of both temperature and weather. Be prepared. ● Educational. Bible, Handbook, notebook, pens/pencils, compass. ● Fishing Gear. The Trailman will be responsible for packing all related gear such that it’s handsfree (does not require carrying). If it cannot be appropriately packed, it will be left behind. ● Electronics. Aside from a wrist watch, electronics (including cell phones) will not be permitted inside Basecamp or on the trail.
PREPARATION >> Per TLUSA Health & Safety Guidelines, each Trailman & registered adult must have: 1. A current High Adventure Medical Form on file with the Troop. This requires a doctor’s exam and signature. 2. A completed Weekend Health and Medical Record. Note that different forms exist for youth and adults. A new completed form is required for each outing, so previouslycompleted forms will not be considered. Both of the above documents can be found in TroopTrack and must be submitted along with the remaining balance of the trip’s cost. Additionally, each Trailman is responsible for engaging in an appropriate amount of fitness and conditioning to the extent that they will be able to comfortably carry 20% of their body weight over long distances (6 10 miles) and at high altitude (9,000 12,000 feet).
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COMMUNICATION >> For emergency contact purposes only, adult leaders will possess cell phones for the duration of the trip (even on the trail) and the trip operators will carry a satellite phone. Unless there is an emergency, the Trailman should not expect to communicate with nonparticipants (including parents) for the duration of the trip. Arrivals, departures, and other routine updates will be communicated by ontrip leadership to Troop leadership back in Denton, who will then make the information publicly available. Prior to the trip, questions and comments may be addressed to: Jason Cone Troop Advisor [email protected] (940) 2314947
Clint Webb Troop Trailmaster [email protected] (940) 3680897
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