Backpacking and Hiking

About the Campout

• We are hitting the trail in April for hiking and backpacking in the Standing Indian area of the Nantahala National Forest. This is a high-altitude, beautiful area on the edge of the Appalachian Trail in NC! . This location has outstanding trails, suitable for all Scouts . . . and the views are stunning! We will have various groups on the campout, so please make sure you sign-up for the correct group. All groups will camp in Basecamp Friday night before setting off in different directions on Saturday. 

  • • Basecamp Group (First Year Scouts or anyone else who wants to stay in Basecamp and day hike): The Basecampers will take a 5-mile day hike on Saturday, eating lunch on the trail.  This campout will be a great opportunity to work on rank advancement, including a climb of 1,000 feet. The day hike will be moderate in difficulty, but Scouts only need to carry minimal gear (daypack with 10 essentials plus lunch).  The Basecamp Group will plan for a hot breakfast on Saturday, a simple lunch on the trail Saturday, a cooked dinner on Saturday night, and a hot breakfast on Sunday morning.  At Basecamp, we will have an interfaith service and other activities before returning to Scout Hall on Sunday.  Camp in site C

    • Backpacking Groups: There will be three (3) types of Backpacking groups. Each group could have more than one crew, composed of 8-10 participants. Each of these groups will camp Saturday night along the trail. After a simple breakfast in Basecamp on Saturday morning, all Backpacking Groups will have a trail lunch on Saturday, trail dinner on Saturday night, and a trail breakfast on Sunday morning.  Camp in Site A

      • • Group A  - Second-year backpackers - This group will carry daypacks or borrow small backpacks and have their heavier gear (tents, sleeping bags, dinner food, stoves, etc.) dropped at their campsite. This will get them used to carrying some gear and camping on the trail but not being fully loaded. The route will be moderate. 

        • Group B - Non-Philmont Backpackers (Third Years and older, not going to Philmont in 2025)

        • Group C - 2025 Philmont Crews

Groups B and C will determine their own routes, which could be strenuous.  

Notes: 

• The temps could be cold, so pack warm clothing.  Scouts and families should read our guide to cold weather camping.

• Parents: we will need a lot of adult participation to transport Scouts and have solid coverage for these various groups and crews.  Come join us and have a great time! If we don't have enough adult coverage, then the group and camping options will need to change. 

• Food/Cooking:  Based on the number of Scouts that sign-up for each group, etc., the Senior Patrol Leader and Adults will coordinate meal planning activities.  We will continue to use patrol-method food preparation, but your patrol will be created specifically for this trip, so we ask everyone to remain open and flexible as we start the sign-up and work our way through this process.

registration

1. Scouts and Attending Adults must be registered with the Troop and Scouting America before registering for this campout. This is a one-time, annual event. See below at the end of this page for more info. 

2. Click on the "Register Here" button above to register for this campout

3. In the registration form, select the payment method and follow the instructions. Escrow, check, and PayPal are options. If using PayPal, click on the link in the pop-up after registering, or click here https://paypal.me/TroopSeventyseven?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US)

Only when the above three items are fully completed is registration finished.   

Deadline - FRIDAY, April 11, 2025

1. Register for Campout

2. All medical forms must be turned in at Scout Hall

3. All adult training must be done

If these things are not completed by the DEADLINE (April 11) the participant (adult or youth) will not be eligible to attend this campout.  With the deadline being during Spring Break, the time to do these things is now! 

Resources

• Standing Indian campground map (we are in sites A and C) 

• Standing Indian campstore: 828-369-0442

• Standing Indian office: 828-524-6441

• Nantahala Ranger District: (828) 524-6441

Prescription Medication?

If your scout will be taking medications during the weekend, please have your Scout turn it in when assembling Friday night to the medical officer (TBD)

• • • Complete this Medication Administration Form

    • NO prescription, over the counter medicine, vitamins or herbal supplements are permitted in a scout’s gear.

    • The Scout’s medication, along with the completed form should be placed in a Ziplock bag.

    • Medications MUST BE in their ORIGINAL containers.  We will be unable to accept anything without the original container. 

    • Please label the Ziplock bag with your Scout’s name.

    • Emergency medications such as Epi-pen and albuterol inhalers should be kept with the Scout at all times!!!!!

When to wear class A uniform

Scouts and adult leaders will wear Class A shirts at the following times:

• Enroute to the campout (we always travel in uniform). 

• For Scouts Own Service

• Sunday, Enroute back to Atlanta

Sunday Return to OGUMC

Scouts plan to depart from the campout between 10:00 a.m. After stopping for lunch, the estimated time to arrive at OGUMC is 1:00 p.m. All Scouts must be present for roll call and to help unload the trailer before being dismissed. 

Driver Info

• A Peach Pass is a great idea!! Have one to make the Friday drive out of Atlanta a bit easier

• Consider a cartop carrier, depending on the number of passengers and gear anticipated 

• Arrive at OGUMC with a full gas tank to avoid an unnecessary stop. 

• Plan to have the number of available seatbelts that you communicated when you registered. It is possible that a few adults won't need to drive, so those adults can ride in another car. So, some adults should be ready to leave their car in the parking lot for the weekend. 

• There is no parking fee at Standing Indian for us 

• We have arranged to get  trail maps and should have one for each crew. The first car(s) to arrive, drive by the first campsite on the left (#86) in the Standing Indian campground and ask for the maps. We need to pay cash ($90 for the 6 maps). Evaluate if they are helpful before buying.

Last minute Reminders 

• All Scouts should meet in the lower lot by the trailers no later than 6:00 pm Friday having already eaten dinner.

• All medications will be collected by ___________ on Friday before leaving and distributed to patrols at camp.

• Scouts should review the Backpacking packing list and tips email sent by Mrs. Henderson (9/12/23 for Cheaha). All gear should fit in a pack (not a storage tote) for this trip and room should be left for patrol gear that will be split between all members.

• Don't forget weather gear including your rain coat, rain pants, pack cover, and consider using a trash bag to line your pack. The chance of rain has increased slightly for this weekend.

• Have a headlamp handy! 

• Scouts should all have a payment method with them for Sunday lunch when returning to OGUMC.

Hospital info - Closest Er

Angel Medical Center 

120 Riverview St 

Franklin, NC 

828-524-8411 

Open 24 hours 

17.4 miles, 27 minute drive from campground 

Annual troop and Scouting America registrations

Click the link below to complete your Troop 77 membership renewal. A link to PayPal is provided at the end of the form to pay your 2025 Troop 77 Scout membership dues of $95.

https://forms.gle/eqToyr9JnKGo6GPg8 

Scouts and Adult volunteers also need to complete their 2025 Scouting America renewal, which is separate from the Troop 77 renewal. You can complete this by logging into https://my.scouting.org and choosing “My Application” and “My Renewals.”

Contact membership.st77@oakgrovescouting.org with questions.