Troop 54 camped at Sandsland Reservation on Block Island for our first time, at least in recent years. We took the traditional ferry from Point Judith, Rhode Island over to Block Island, about a one hour trip. Although the others sites had been booked when we made our reservation, we were the only ones in the camp all weekend. Once there, we got around by bicycle. Getting to the camp, we carried our personal gear in backpacks and troop gear in two folding wagons pulled by bicycle.
We had 5 youth and 3 adult participants on this trip.
We camped in the Niantic site, one of only three sites. It was equipped with a fire pit and three well-worn picnic tables. The camp had 2 portable toilets. There is no water at the camp, so we filled our water containers at the police station (about one mile away) and at the Town Hall (closer).
On Friday, we bicycled to the South East Lighthouse, already closed. On Saturday, we first bicycled to the North Lighthouse; we had to hike a bit on the beach to get to the building. On the way back toward the town, we stopped at the Town Beach where the Scouts swam.
Next to check off our list was to stop for ice cream. The Scouts found Aldo's, a nice shop with homemade ice cream on Weldon's Way.
Then, we bicycled back out to the South East Lighthouse. We got there just before closing, but they were willing to stay late to provide one more tour. In about 40 minutes, we learned a lot about what makes that lighthouse special. Among other things, it is the tallest, the brightest and the only green lighthouse on the East Coast. Also, it had been moved in one piece to escape the eroding bluff.
Afterward, we visited the Mohegan Bluffs, where we climbed down a lot of steps to the beach about 150 feet below. From the Bluffs and from the Lighthouse, we had a great view of the ocean and the four wind turbines just off shore. The Saturday ride totaled about 18 miles.
For two of our meals, we cooked over a campfire. For the other two, we cooked using propane. For one dinner, we used freeze-dried meals. Mr. MacNeal was able to whip up some pretty excellent food for other meals (for the adults), including using powdered eggs.
This was our 164th consecutive month with at least one overnight camping trip. See the article on our website for more pictures from this event.
Page updated 8/31/22
J. Froimson
