High Adventure Outing Planning Meeting, March 28, 2001

From: Scoutmaster John D. McCarthy
Subject: High Adventure Outing Planning Meeting

Dear Scouts and Scouters,

I wish to report on the results of the High Adventure Outing Planning Meeting, Thursday, March 28, 2001.

Best regards,

Scouter John

Mr. Kleiver informed us that Riverfront Cycle on the corner of Shiawasee and Larch in Lansing, "kitty corner" from the Market, rents mountain bicycles for $50.00 per week. He also mentioned that rental fees can be applied towards the purchase of a bicycle.

Mr. Kleiver informed us that backpacks can be rented from Raupp's Campfitters on Michigan Avenue in Lansing for $3.00 a day.

Mr. Kleiver recommended the following sizes for backpacks:

The following methods of delivering bicycles to the site of this outing were discussed:

Mr. Kleiver mentioned that he could handle 7 bikes. Troop 316 will have to provide transportation for any additional bikes which we may decide to take on this outing.

Mr. Kleiver asked us to get back to him about which list of elective activities we would like for this outing:

Note that these lists of elective activities do not include the ten mile hike with backpacking which we will be doing, during the first two days of this outing, to get from the entry point for this outing to the base camp for this outing. The backpacking listed in the list of elective activities would be additional elective backpacking, supplemental to the required backpacking for this outing.

Mr. Kleiver mentioned that there are opportunities for fishing on this outing.

Mr. Kleiver mentioned that Troop 33 had the following expenses when they previously conducted this particular outing:

Mr. Kleiver said that we can easily fit 4 tents into a campsite.

Mr. Kleiver mentioned that only one of the Scouts of Troop 33 used C rations for food when Troop 33 previously conducted this particular outing.

Mr. Kleiver says that "C rations are o.k. but are expensive and the choice for meals is somewhat limited - in a 5 day period you'll repeat more than two meals and breakfast choices are not good."

Mr. Kleiver recommended the following equipment suppliers:

Mr. Kleiver said that we would need one more meeting to prepare for this outing. This second meeting will be devoted to conducting a "shakedown" .

Mr. Kleiver will be making sure that everyone is ready for this outing.

You should come to this meeting with the personal gear which you will need for this outing.

You should come to this meeting prepared to show Mr. Kleiver that you know how to properly pack your backpack.

Scoutmaster John McCarthy said that he would try to reserve our usual room at Trinity United Methodist Church for Wednesday, May 30 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. for this "shakedown".

Mr. Kleiver mentioned that Troop 33 has some 4-man Eureka tents that we could borrow for this outing, if we need them.

Mr. Kleiver said that we should split the carrying of patrol tents amongst the participants on this outing.

Mr. Kleiver recommends an external frame backpack as opposed to an internal frame backpack.

Thanks to Mr. Jones, we inherited some frames for backpacks earlier this year from a troop that folded. Mr. Kleiver suggested that we contact Raupp's on Michigan Avenue in Lansing to see if it would be possible to fit any packs to these frames.

Scoutmaster John McCarthy promised to look into this matter.

Mr. Kleiver mentioned that Gander Mountain will provide a discount to Scouters who show their BSA membership card.

Mr. Kleiver mentioned that he can bring a folding shovel which we can use to conduct this outing as a "no-trace" outing.

Mr. Kleiver said that we do not have to wear hiking boots on this outing, but we should at least have a decent pair of tennis shoes.

Mr. Kleiver said that we should also bring shoes for wearing in the water.

Mr. Kleiver recommended polypropolene liner socks.

Mr. Kleiver also recommended "smart wool" socks. He explained that "smart socks" are made of 10% rayon and cost $8.00 to $10.00 a pair.

Mr. Kleiver showed us maps for this outing.

Mr. Kleiver distributed a handout explaining the agenda for this outing, listing equipment required for this outing, and explaining how the weather forecast for the period of this outing may affect our decisions for packing clothes for this outing.

Last Revised 5/25/2001