Our December trip took Troop 54 to Horace Moses Scout Reservation in Russell, Massachusetts, our fifth time camping there since 2009. On arrival, at night on Friday, we were assigned the Birch Point site, scenically located on Russell Pond. We had six Boy Scouts, one Webelos Scout, three leaders and one other parent participating in this trip.
When we setup camp, the ground was dry. The nearest faucet, however, was far enough that we had to drive to fill up our water containers. Temperatures were in the upper 20's and lower 30's. By mid-morning on Saturday, the snow fall had started, accumulating about 5 inches by the end of the day.
The Scouts got a couple of nice campfires going on Saturday, and some Scouts earned their Firem'n Chit card.
In the afternoon on Saturday, we drove into Springfield to visit the Springfield Armory National Historic Site. We had arranged to attend a presentation on World War I arms, primarily about the development of the Springfield 1903 rifle. It was a good thing we made it as the snowy conditions had reduced the audience. Most of the Scouts earned a Junior Ranger Patch by completing a scavenger hunt for museum facts.
The Scouts made turkey BLT sandwiches for lunch, pasta with meat sauce for dinner and French toast for breakfast. ASM MacNeal prepared chicken sausage, broccoli rabe & orzo skillet for dinner for the adults.
This was the troop's 108th consecutive month with at least one overnight camping trip, bringing our streak to a full nine years. See our press release.
Page updated 12/28/17
J. Froimson
