Troop 328's 2003 Wilderness Camp, Idaho

JEFFHEAD.COM - CIVIC ^ | August 17, 2003 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

Scout Troop 328, Wilderness Camp
Sea Foam Lake, River of No Return Wilderness, Idaho
By : Jeff Head
August 17, 2003

Our new scout troop, Troop 328, conducted a wilderness camp in the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness Area in our home state of Idaho during the week of August 11th, 2003. Pictures of that trip and narration follow.

Leaving Emmett, Idaho, we followed the Payette River from Emmett to Horseshoe Bend and then to Banks, Idaho where we took the East Fork of the Payette and followed it to Garden Valley and then to Lowman, Idaho. We had intended to continue on the main paved highway up over Banner Summit, but a forest fire in that area had the paved road closed so we took the gravel road detour up though Bear Valley, a forty-mile mountainous, dirt road bypass. We then took the fourteen mile road, which became progressively worse for wear and requiring high four wheel drive, to the Rapid River. Finally, at the Ranger Station at the Rapid River, we followed the rough wilderness road, requiring low four wheel drive, up to Sea Foam lakes, a final distance of 130 miles from home.

The road is long, the route arduous and scenic to the Sea Foam Lake Wilderness Camp


But, upon arrival, the reward is well worth the time and effort.

After arrival, before any of the really fun activities can begin, the scouts know thatcamp needs to be set up and they proceed with the task at hand. There are tents to be set up, the cooking area to prepare, garbage bags to set out, latrines to be dug and water to be pumped and purified.

Scouts and their leaders go about the tasks of setting up camp next to Seafoam Lake.

Once setup was complete and the tasks assigned and sceduled for cooking and maintenance of the camp, the fun activities planned for the camp out could begin. Some of the things the scouts participated in throughout the camp were swimming, board games (both Monopoly and Risk were played), shooting and fishing.

Scouts enjoying a refreshing dip in Seafoam Lake followed by a rousing monopoly game.

Lots of fish were jumping, but few biting on this trip to Sea Foam Lake.

Cooking and eating are a neccessary and fun part of any scout camp. At Sea Foam Lake, each boy was assigned to be the designated cook during the camp. From Deer Steaks and Fried Potatoes, to Tacos, to hamburgers, to pancakes, bacon and eggs, and the famous mountain man breakfasts...scouts ate hearty at wilderness camp.

The famous Mountain Man Breakfast was well prepared and very much enjoyed by all.

And what real scout camp would exist without a significant hike into the area and terrain sourrounding camp? In this case, a climb up to the highest point on the ridge opposite Sea Faomn Lake was planned and executed. All of the boys and their adult advisors made the steep ascent, where the view on the top was well worth the sweat and effort getting there.

Scouts and their advisors make the hard ascent to the highest point on the opposite ridge


The routes of the ascent and descent.

With the large basin surrounding the Sea Foam Lake area, there were many vistas and discoveries to be found and enjoyed while hiking to explore its extents. From perches above the upper lake, to old mining digs to other ridges and lookouts around the basin, scouts and their adult advisors took advantage of the opportunity.

Scouts and their adult advisors explore the basin



From ridges and high points around the basin, the views were spectacular.

The fish were not biting aound the edges of the lake so the scouts determined to put some of their lashing skills (or in some cases their on the spot acquired lashing skills) to use and build a good raft from which they could fish further out in the lake where the more fish were seen to be jumping. This required that appropriate logs be chosen and gathered from the many already available arund the edge of the lake and that they then be lashed together. The scouts set abou the task with a will and finished the job in a few hours.

Scouts gather, choose and lash logs into a four-man raft

From early morning risings, to dawning ponchos for an evening rain storm and setting up a tarp to cover the cooking and eating area during that rain, the scouts continued their wilderness camp, experiencing and learning to live with the changes mother nature dealt them along the way.

The life of a scout in wilderness camp adjusts to the changing nature of weather conditions.

Finally, as sad as it was for the experience to end, the time came for the scouts to clean up, break camp and ensure that the area was left in a better condition than what they found it. Then, the troop loaded into the rigs that brought them there and returned to Emmett, in the lower Payette valley.

Scouts breaking camp at Sea Foam lake.


Troop 328 prepares to "mount up" in the rigs that brought them there and depart Sea Foam lake.


Sea Foam Lake, as Troop 328 left it...in the pristine setting of Idaho's River of No Return Wilderness.

OTHER EMMETT, IDAHO SCOUTING TRIPS AND EXPERIENCES:

2001 Varsity Float Trip .......... 2002 Winter Camp

JEFFHEAD.COM

[sangoo]

Up north...CDA. Hope to get him into a good troop there. He just loves his troop here in So. Calif. Right now he is on a Backpack/Climbing trip with the troop in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. We have been in contact using HAM radios, sharing his adventures from 150 miles away on handhelds.

[joanie-f]

Thanks for sharing these pictures and descriptions, Jeff.

What an incredible trip this must have been for those boys. I was especially floored by your description of this part of the week:

The fish were not biting around the edges of the lake so the scouts determined to put some of their lashing skills (or in some cases their on the spot acquired lashing skills) to use and build a good raft from which they could fish further out in the lake where the more fish were seen to be jumping. This required that appropriate logs be chosen and gathered from the many already available around the edge of the lake and that they then be lashed together. The scouts set about the task with a will and finished the job in a few hours.

That is absolutely wonderful! They wanted to get some serious fishing in, they recognized that the fishing was much better in an inaccessible area of the lake, so they set out to do something about it! And not only did they show determination, but they used the ‘natural resources’ and abilities that were at their disposal to solve the problem. Good for them, and good for you for helping them see the building of the raft to its completion.

Would have also loved to do that hike to the highest point on the ridge. I am sure that ascent and descent were not without magnificent views (not to mention being able to explore the old mining digs).

A bit off-topic, but wilderness related:

I am not a movie-goer (far from it .... I generally avoid anything with even a hint of Hollywood involved), but saw a most incredible movie tonight -- it was just released to theaters on Friday: Open Range. Not since High Noon and Shane (made in the early fifties) has such a western been made. If you have the time and inclination, this is a must see.

Best to you and the family.

~ joanie

[Jeff Head]

Right now he is on a Backpack/Climbing trip with the troop in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. We have been in contact using HAM radios, sharing his adventures from 150 miles away on handhelds.

Outstanding!

[Jeff Head]

Joanie, the trip was simply fantatsic...and I was so proud of all of those boys. Jared is an outstanding leader.

Open Range. Not since High Noon and Shane (made in the early fifties) has such a western been made. If you have the time and inclination, this is a must see.

Will do...I love a good western.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so very much! Hugs!!!

[Jeff Head]

Bro, here's a big and belated BUMP to this thread.

It was a great trip that these kids will remember for life.

[Jeff Head]

FYI, here's a BUMP to this thread.

Scouting continues unabated here in Idaho.

[Squantos]

BTTT from a older Eagle Scout..........:o)

Stay Safe !

[Fred Mertz]

What a wonderful account of your outing; thanks for sharing. I wish I was young again.

What's up with the propane/gas grills? I never had that luxury;(

[LiteKeeper]

BSA bump

[Cool Guy]

My pleasure reading.

[Lurker]

What a great trip.

Mrs. L has our youngun on a camping trip with some coworkers as I type this.

However, I doubt very much that Jellystone Park in Amboy IL can compete with your scenery.

Regards,

L

[Lurker]

Camp Manatoc actually had coal stoves.

They're probably illegal now.

L

[Jeff Head]

Due to the extreme fire danger...no open fires were allowed at any camp sites in the entire area. Otherwise all cooking would have been done over a campfire with dutch ovens, etc.

[Jeff Head]

The scenery and the setting are a great blessing and plus...but the important thing is the lessons and values and experience being passed on. If that is happening, then it's a good thing no matter where you go. If that's not happening, then the scenery doesn't count for a whole lot in the end.

Best Fregards to you bro. Hope all else is good for you and yours. Still looking for you out this way someday.

[Jeff Head]

...and another BSA bump back.

[Jeff Head]

Thanks so much for posting that pic of the creed...and that creed is taught and practiced still today, and will continue into the future despite the efforts of those who abhore the goodness and virtue of it and want to tear it down and pervert it.

Scouting is alive and well in Idaho...and many other places around the nation.

Best to you bro!

[strela]

BUMP for a great story from a never-got-past-Tenderfoot former Scout.

[SLB]

Fred - We used to have a Klondike Derby at Densberger. We found a troop from L'ville in the K-Span one night. It was raining and they were cold and miserable. Poor kids!

My father-in-law is an Eagle Scout Class of 1932, to be exact August 6, 1932. My son is an Eagle Scout Class of 1992. To be exact August 6, 1992.

Scouting is a great experience for young and old alike. I do not agree with some of the feminzation that has taken over, like female SM and others. It is supposed to be a "guy" thing. I imagine Baden Powell would have something to say about that.

[Jeff Head]

It still is a guy thing here in Idaho my friend, as it should be.

Although I have to say, mom helps keep us straight, on time and committed as much as anyone else...LOL!

Hope you enjoyed the post...I know there's a lot of country where you're from (Wind River, Snowy Range, Jackson Hole Country-away from the tourist traps etc.) that rivals what is displayed here.