Sept. 15–17: Whitewater Rafting on Kennebec River in Maine
Oct. 6–8: Backpacking at Mount Greylock*
Nov. 10–12: Conservation Service Trip at AMC Noble View Outdoor Center**
Dec. 9: Day Trip at Boda Borg Boston
Jan. 5–7: Snowshoe Trip in White Mountains*
Feb. 9–11: Cross-country Ski Trip in New Hampshire
March 16–18: Red Gate Farm in Ashfield, MA
March TBD: Wilderness First Aid**
April 27–29: Backpacking on the Appalachian Trail*
May 18–20: Backpacking Stratton Pond area*
May 26–28: Philmont Shakedown (Philmont Participants Only)**
June 22–24: Bicycling Trip on Martha’s Vineyard
June 28–July 12: Trek, Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico (Philmont Participants Only)

* Philmont Qualifier
**Philmont Required

Sunday, Dec 6: Pitch in, one and all, to contribute to Maddie's upcoming project, improving the Audubon nature center in Belmont by clearing out invasive plant species. This is a great opportunity to earn community service hours, as well as help out a longtime troop/crew 56 youth member.

Here's her pitch:

As part of my ranger project, I’m going to be helping remove invasive species from a meadow at Habitat, in Belmont.

Everyone should dress in layers, because it might get warm out there.
Bring a water bottle and a snack if you want, but we'll also have some
cocoa and chili available. Habitat is providing the tools and gloves
for this project.

People can park up at 10 Juniper Road, right next to Habitat
headquarters, where everyone working on the project will meet. If
anybody shows up late, you can find the group working up in highland meadow, which is labeled on Habitat’s map.

Shift 1 runs 9:30 to 1:00; Shift 2 from 1:00 to 4:00.

Anyone who needs a ride should get in touch with Maddie via email (see the Member Directory under "Contacts").

Climb Mount Washington and take the shuttle down.

Leave St. James's on Friday, Sept. 11. Camp at Dolly Copp campground. Climb Mount Washington on Saturday, Sept. 12. Return to Cambridge on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Trip counts as a Philmont qualifier. Those wishing to use this as a qualifier should plan to carry a backpack, not a day pack.

Mandatory pack check on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Packing below. For this challenging day hike, each hiker will need to carry extra layers, rain clothes, hat & gloves, and 4 liters of water.

Adult trip leaders: David and Robin

Youth leader: Sam

Packing List

• Winter hat (wool or synthetic)
• 2-3 Pairs wool socks
• 2-3 Pairs liner socks (synthetic)
• Water Bottles (like 1L Nalgene) and/or hydration bladder; have 4 liters capacity
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.)
• bandana
• Synthetic long underwear (base layer) top and bottoms
• Raingear (rain pants and rain jacket)
• Headlamp or flashlight plus extra batteries
• 2-3 non-cotton shirts (good idea for at least one to be long sleeved)
• Non cotton pants
• Underwear
• Sleep clothes
• Fleece jacket (synthetic) or heavy wool sweater
• Gloves – warm gloves or mittens
• Mess kit – bowl, spoon, cup (fork and knife optional)
• Scout Handbook
• Hiking Backpack or Daypack
• Hiking boots
• Hat to keep sun off face
• Sunscreen
• Bug repellent

(Optional)

• Book to read
• sunglasses
• trekking poles

Melaku Zewde is running the fundraiser this year. He will collect payment at the Scout meetings on 4/28 and 5/5/15. Tuesday May 5th will be the last day to place and pay for your order. Wilson Farm has not finalized the price list; Melaku will let us know if there is any change.

*ORDERING: 4/28 to 5/5/2015
SCOUT PICK-UP: May 9, 10am to 2pm AT ST. JAMES
1991 Mass Ave., Cambridge, MA

The order form is available on the Fundraising page, linked above.