Backpacking Inks Lake
Troop 410 Report – Backpacking at Inks Lake (January 2025)
Troop 410 kicked off the new year with a Backpacking Campout at Inks Lake State Park. This trip was all about learning and practicing backpacking skills—from choosing the right gear to packing it properly and cooking in the backcountry. Scouts got to hike across the park and experience some awesome backcountry campsites on Saturday night.
One of the coolest parts of the weekend was the backpack from our main site on Friday to our remote campsite on Saturday. It gave us a chance to see different areas of the park and really feel like we were out in the wild. Because of a burn ban, we couldn’t have a real fire, so our Saturday night skits were performed using headlamps instead of campfire light—which actually turned out to be pretty fun. The standout moment? Emmett’s penguin song, which had everyone laughing.
Many Scouts also took time to work on rank advancement during the weekend, putting their new skills into action as they camped, cooked, and hiked.
Troop Meetings – Planning, Recognition, and New Leadership
At our first meeting of the month, we focused on preparing for the backpacking campout, especially meal planning and making sure we had all the right gear.
The biggest highlight of the month was our Court of Honor, where we recognized Scouts who earned new ranks and merit badges over the last semester. It was a great way to celebrate everyone’s hard work. We also had a change in leadership—we thanked Jacob for his awesome job as SPL, and welcomed our new team: Wyatt as SPL and Jack and Ben as ASPLs. Big thanks to all of them for stepping up to lead!
Philmont Prep – Cold Weather Challenge
Our Philmont crew also had their second shakedown hike at Lake Georgetown, backpacking the Goodwater Loop to prepare for the summer trek. They practiced everything from backcountry cooking and water purification to setting up tarp shelters. But the weather threw them a challenge—a serious Arctic cold front rolled in, dropping the temperature to 27°F with a “feels like” of 8°F on their second morning. After careful discussion, the crew decided to cut the trek short and hike back early. Even with the change of plans, they still covered nearly 25 miles—a great test of grit and preparation!
January was a month full of learning, leadership, and adventure. Whether it was hiking with a pack, earning new ranks, or camping through freezing temps, Troop 410 showed what it means to be prepared and push forward together.