Boy Scout Troop 6 from Juneau just returned from their annual high adventure trip for the year. This time it was a 217 mile, nine day canoe trip down the Teslin and Yukon rivers. Twenty scouts ferried to Skagway for the drive to Whitehorse and then got onto the Teslin River at Johnson’s Crossing in the Yukon Territory. Four days later the Troop paddled into the Yukon River itself and then spent another five days traveling downstream before eventually hauling out at Carmacks. From there they drove back to Whitehorse, Skagway and eventually Juneau.
The term “high adventure” is used to describe scouting activities that go above and beyond the normal monthly campouts to places like Dupont and Windfall Lake. Typically, these events can only be attended after a scout reaches the rank of First Class and has demonstrated that he is capable of taking care of himself as well as contributing to the overall welfare of the group. Before departing on the trip, the scouts trained and demonstrated their skills in canoeing at Auke Lake and on the Mendenhall River. The group was divided into three cook groups and given a budget with which to plan meals. Each cook group is responsible for preparing a menu, shopping, packing and cooking their own meals while on the trek. Meals ranged from things as simple as instant oatmeal to smoked salmon fettucine. The Dutch oven was a preferred method of preparing many of the meals and of course desserts.
During the trek, scouts worked on a variety of merit badges to include fly fishing, camping, cooking, wilderness survival and canoeing. One of the scout badges that Troop 6 is always proud to complete is the 50 miler award. This entails completing a remote 50 mile trek as well as completing a minimum of 10 hours of service per scout. With 20 scouts and scouters making the trek, that equates to 200 hours of service along the way! Troop 6 scouts worked hard at cutting firewood, repairing damaged campsites and general campsite cleanup. The scouts also built or repaired several tables to improve the site for future campers.
The trip is not all work of course and there is plenty of time for fun. Fishing was a popular hobby and several meals included fresh caught grayling, pike and sheefish. The weather was terrific and swimming was attempted several times, but the cold water enticed only the truly hardy of the group. Moose, Beaver and Red fox were observed along the way but with 20 scouts traveling together most animals choose to depart the area rather quickly, especially with all of the signing that went on.
The Troop Bugler sounds reveille at 6 a.m. each morning to start the day. Breakfast is prepared and dishes are cleaned. Camp is broken down and the canoes get loaded. After service work is completed a daily devotion is read as well as a poem or two by Robert Service. Now the group shoves off for a day of paddling. The distance traveled each day varied between 20-35 miles with a break for lunch. When a new campsite was reached, canoes are unloaded and camp is set up while cooks prepare dinner. Firewood is gathered and water is filtered. After dinner is completed and the dishes washed there is time to relax with some fishing or chitchat about the plan for the next day. By 10 p.m. when the bugler plays Taps to signal that the day is done, everyone is pretty much headed to bed so they can get up and do it all over again.
Last year the high adventure group traveled to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico where scouts did over 90 miles of backpacking. Next year, 12 scouts have signed up to travel to West Virginia for the National Scout Jamboree in July. Troop 6 scouts traditionally raise money for these trips through individual sales of scout popcorn and by selling firewood. The Troop currently has firewood for sale if you are interested and popcorn sales are ongoing.
The Troop would also like to thank the Valley Paint Center, Nugget Alaska Outfitters and Sportsman Warehouse for equipment support as well as the many scouters in town who provided canoes, paddles and their waterfront for our training.
• Matt Dobson is the scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 6.
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