Area Boy Scouts headed to Ridgway, Pennsylvania recently for this year’s long awaited canoe campout.
Five adult leaders, Kim Patterson, Dave Woleslagle, Pete Kreckel, Dr. Joe Clark and Denise Kreckel joined with Boy Scouts from Troop 300 and Venturers from Crew 300 for a total of 14 canoe/campers.
Many challenges have to be overcome for a successful canoe campout. First of all, the food has to be purchased that requires no refrigeration. Troop 300 has the large dry storage bags necessary to keep the food, clothes and sleeping gear dry. The Clarks and Kreckels provided all of the boats necessary for the troop. To insure sufficient river levels, the leaders monitored the USGS website for the Clarion, so the weighted down boats could pass over the hidden rocks.
While the adult men were shuttling the vehicles to Cook Forest, Mrs. Kreckel and Scouts loaded and secured the gear into the 5 canoes, and 4 kayaks. At 3:30 the Scouts and Venturers carried the canoes down the path and launched in the Clarion River at Ridgway. Thanks to the great advice from Dave Love at Love’s Canoe Rental, the float trip began, with a campsite selected near Portland Mills, about 10 miles downstream. The Scouts paddled downstream in the flotilla of 5 canoes and 4 kayaks, all along polishing their paddling skills they learned at summer camp. All Scouts in Troop 300 are required to have the Canoeing Merit Badge, before embarking on a canoe campout.
At 7:30 p.m. the youth leaders pulled off the river and selected a primitive campsite, just as Mr. Love told them.“Leave No Trace” principles were put into practice, and camp was set up with minimal disturbance to the environment. The Scouts and Venturers feasted on tortellini, and sauce and crackers. They headed off to sleep in their tents, getting the rest they needed for the next day’s journey along the beautiful Clarion River.
The next morning, after the bear bags of food were lowered, a breakfast of “Poptarts” and raisins and oatmeal gave the canoeists the energy they needed to begin their trek. The final destination was Clear Creek State Park, which was 22 miles downstream from their campsite. Canoes were loaded and launched and the Scouts and Venturers began their journey. After the canoeists traversed through the infamous “X” , “Y”, and “Z” rapids they had a lunch for graham crackers, peanut butter, jelly and Rice Krispy Treats. The Scouts again returned to their canoes and paddled downstream past the Heath Pumping Station and finally arriving at Clear Creek State Park. All of Clear Creeks Campsites were occupied, so the Scouts headed downstream about a half mile, and set up a primitive camp on some small bluffs overlooking the Clarion. After 22 miles of paddling the campers feasted on broccoli, rice and cheddar dinner, along with one of the troops favorite: Spam, and squeezy cheese!
After a great night’s sleep, the Scouts again lowered the food from the trees, ate breakfast, left camp cleaner than they found it, loaded the canoes and kayaks and headed to Cook’s Forest State Park. The Scouts pulled into Cooks Forest around 11 a.m., completing their 43 mile trek, had lunch and left this magnificent country at noon. The Scouts returned to Tyrone at 3 p.m. tired, yet very appreciative of the 3 day adventure they partook in.
Because of the dedication of the Troop 300 leadership with regard to transportation and outfitting, the cost of this 3 day adventure, was only $20 per Scout. Scouting offers many wonderful outdoor activities that develop life skills and leadership in our youth, at costs that are reasonable for our youth to enjoy. Most youth are able to fund their Scouting budget with car washes, hoagie sales and currently the Penns Woods Council Popcorn sale. Have your young boys sign up for Cub Scouts (1st through 5th grade), Boy Scouts (6th through 12th grade) and Venture Crew (both ladies and men age 14 through 21). Support Scouting in the Tyrone area, what a difference you can help make in the town’s youth.
