Every year the youth of Troops 258 & 358 have given the scoutmasters the opportunity to plan one campout – the Mystery Campout. This was a favorite tradition for Troop 158 that we carried to the new troops. The scoutmasters are usually challenged with planning in a month that the scouts do not want to plan for – one of the hot summer months. This year the scoutmasters had the challenge of planning the August campout. Every Mystery Campout has different parameters and this time we settled on camping one night (it’s hot!), a water activity (it’s hot!), and fun. We also embedded one of the more difficult requirements to complete from the camping merit badge: the 4-hour float trip.
Prior to the campout, scouts were provided with hints and a specific packing list. Parents were also given the general plan for the campout. On the night of the campout, scouts loaded the trailers as usual (not knowing where they were going) and were driven to a leader’s property to set up camp and reveal the canoeing event. The evening activities included an introductory lesson in paddle craft safety and knowledge followed by a cracker barrel of cheese and crackers and root beer floats. We ended the evening with a Patrol Leaders Council meeting to go over logistics for the next morning. The Scoutmasters planned the campout, now it was time for the youth to execute it.
Route: Colorado River in Bastrop from Fisherman’s Park to Lost Pines Recreational Trail. See also: https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/paddlingtrails/inland/bastrop/
On the day of the float trip, two trucks left to pick up two off-site canoe racks from Lost Pines Scout Reservation. Units can reserve a rack of 8 canoes including paddles and PFDs from Capitol Area Council. At LPSR, the ranger asks the SPLs to check all the canoes, paddles, and PFDs on the racks to make sure they are all accounted for and in good condition. The rest of the troops traveled to the start of Bastrop’s El Camino Real paddling trail at Fisherman’s Park. After the canoes were unloaded, SPLs assigned canoe partners and buddy boats and distributed paddles and PFDs. The adult leaders drove the remaining cars to the take-out location then returned in only two cars. Meanwhile, the troops reviewed safety and expectations and tied down two food coolers, four water coolers, throwbags, a box of chips, first aid kits, and the bio-break bag.
Canoe after canoe, we entered the Colorado River to begin our journey. After all fifteen canoes were in the water, the lead canoe set the pace. Depending on the flow of the river and paddler experience, the 6-mile trip can be accomplished in between 1.5 – 4 hours of paddling. We broke for lunch on a sandy bank just short of the half-way point. Scouts cooled down in the water with their PFDs on, while the adults set up the lunch line for made-to-order wraps, grapes, carrots, cucumbers, and chips. Everyone enjoyed the meal and then we prepared for the remaining 3.5 miles by refilling water bottles and reapplying sunscreen.
To pass the time, some scouts identified plants and animals: fish, herons, egrets, cattle, deer, dragonflies, damselflies, spiders, butterflies, vultures, turtles, cypress, sycamore, willow, trumpet vine, ragweed, and pine. Others invented games or joined other canoes and tested physics theories. (Newton’s Second Law was put to the test all day!) Everyone was glad to reach the old railroad bridge signifying that we were near our journey’s end. Shortly after mile marker 6, there was a large sign to announce the end of the paddling trail.
Scouts pulled canoes out of the water and worked together to return everything to the canoe racks.The SPLs and trucks returned the canoes to the ranger at LPSR while the rest of the scouts cooled down with watermelon and finished drying off. Our final mystery stop was at Buc-ee’s for more cool refreshments before the ride back to Cedar Park.
Scouts faced many personal challenges on the river that day and tested their commitment to the Scout Law:
- Obedient – following the safety expectations even when your buddy boat went slowly.
- Cheerful – maintaining a cheerful disposition even when they were tired of paddling.
- Kind and Helpful – offering to assist others when there was a need.
- Thrifty – using LPSR to borrow the canoes instead of a local outfitter.
- Brave – trying something new or coping with disturbing critters.
Scouts had a blast and slept all the way home. We are happy to carry on the tradition of the Mystery Campout and to conquer this paddling trail with the new troops making it an X58 tradition (Crew 158 has paddled this trail too). #OutsideInNorthShore
