Muddy Pond Backpacking Trip

Saturday, December 13 -
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Muddy Pond
Westminster, Massachusetts

Event Description

December 3 update: Due to no youth registrants for the trip, this trip is cancelled.

Troop 54 will backpack a stretch of the Midstate Trail we last visited in 2013. Our starting point is Winnekeag Lake in Ashburnham, and our overnight stay will be at Muddy Pond in Westminster. We should have great views as we pass Mount Hunger. We estimate approximately six miles of backpacking each day.

This trip is open to Scouts BSA members. Participants should weigh at least 90 pounds or bring a parent to carry some of their stuff.

Registration

• Permission Slip - Each participating Scout must submit this to the Scoutmaster by December 2.
• Event registration fee - pay by December 2:
     Youth - $32 ((online payment) - includes food
     Adult - $10 (online payment) - does not include food
• Annual Health and Medical Record - Each participant must have submitted this record within the previous year and no later than December 2. This trip requires only Parts A and B, including copy of insurance card (both sides). A medical exam is not required.
• Adults - In accordance with a BSA rule that became effective September 1, 2023, "All adults staying overnight in connection with a Scouting activity must be currently registered in an adult fee required position as listed or as an adult program participant."

Packing

Use our Backwoods Camping List to ensure you pack the needed items and see our Personal Camping Gear page for descriptions of most of the items needed and for how to use the checklist. You will pack your stuff in either an external frame or internal frame backpack (the big kind). Specific items to bring:

• Water bottles (2)
• Full uniform (as for just about any event) - wear this.
• Food - Each patrol should plan to provide 1 breakfast, 2 lunches (on the trail) and 1 dinner. Participants bring your own drinks and food for snacks.

Travel

• Meet at the Epworth United Methodist Church parking lot at 7:00 AM on Saturday for departure by 7:15 AM.
• Travel to our trailhead at the Camp Winnekeag parking lot is approximately 45 minutes from Epworth United Methodist Church.
• Estimated return to the church is 3:00 PM Sunday (+/- 2 hr). We will call parents with an updated arrival time estimate after we return to the trailhead.

Page updated 12/3/25 J. Froimson