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First Congregational Church
Pelham, NH
B.S.A. Fleur De LisBoy Scouts of America (R) Troop 25
Rookie Camper Prepared for Life

Camping Skill Building

The opportunities to camp outdoors in New Hampshire are amazing. The beauty of our region is rich in diversity and a long history of exploration. As scouts, we seek to responsibly explore the outdoors and one of the chief means of doing so is through camping.

Camping is not about saving a few bucks on a hotel bill. It is about gaining an intimate knoweledge of our environment. Doing so will lead to better stewardship of our natural resources. Besides, once you have the skills, camping is FUN!

It is the goal of our troop to provide scouts an opportunity to spend at least one night of every month in the year outdoors. Camping in the summer is relatively easy. As to winter camping; it is a season to be held in awe.

To achieve our objective we must ensure a robust schedule.

July 19-25 Troop 25 participates in the resident camp program at Hidden Valley. First year scouts will focus on core skills and relationship building. Seasoned scouts will explore new areas of interest. All scouts will face challenges together as a troop. These challenges require the troop to lead itself and work together to overcome obstacles and achieve success.

Camping is Not New to Troop 25!

In order to earn the rank of First Class Scout, youth must complete several substantial camping related requirements. They learn meaningful skills that elevate a scout's confidence as well as their ability to enjoy the natural world.  Since the 1920's scouts in Pelham have benefited from the woods and wet lands in the town.

Troop 25 circa 1928

The freedom to roam the woods of Pelham was deemed a valued experience of their pre-war lives that veterans returning from WWII renamed the "Scout Lot" on Keyes Hill Road as the Lt. Elmer G. Raymond Memorial Park.

Even today many scouts experience their first night of camping in the woods on this venerated spot.

What Are Our Goals?

To provide scouts an opportunity to build leadership abilities in an outdoor laboratory by demanding increased skills and teamwork.

The plans to support these goals will enable scouts to advance in rank, earn required merit badges in camping, cooking, etc. They also offer an opportunity for those who participate fully to earn national recognition for their participation by earning the National Outdoor Award for Camping.

National Outdoor Award patch

Planning

You can monitor this column for our current and emerging plans.

  • The months of August, September, and October include events starting with an introduction to back country camping, a front country experience in NYC, and the Daniel Webster Council Jamboree.
  • November includes the traditional Food Vigil as part of the annual Scouting for Food emphasis. December will be provide our first opportunity to develop our cold weather skills in a late fall / early winter overnight experience.
  • January and February will provide the best opportunity for scouts with adequate skills to achieve comfort in a hostile season.
  • January 2016 will include the Nutfield District Klondike. This is an outdoor competition consisting of cross country travel with a scout powered sled loaded with necessary gear for living outdoors in the winter.
  • February usually includes a trip to a nearby ski slope. We'll also plan on including another outdoor opportunity with Snowshoes or sleds.
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