Troop 503's trips are on a monthly basis, all year round. They vary in nature, duration, and intensity, but are all scout-planned. Trips are a spectacular part of the scouting experience that you won't want to miss! Below are some of our most common trip types.
Canoeing and kayaking trips are among the most popular with the scouts. We typically go up to New Hampshire's Pemigewasset River and spend a weekend on the low-class rapids. Other times, we go down to Cape Cod or to Boston Harbor for sea kayaking. The troop has a number of boats that can be supplied for the scouts and parents.
Hiking and backpacking trips are done all year round, mostly in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Backpacking trips, in which scouts carry their gear into the wilderness, are usually done over a long weekend. The troop has several backpacks for scouts to use.
Every once in a while, the troop will go climbing for a few hours, typically in the Fells Reservation. Climbing trips do not require as much time or preparation and the troop has all of the climbing gear you will need.
Biking trips are usually done in the fall, over a weekend. We do mountain biking in the Fells as well as road biking down the cape or in New Hampshire.
We do both alpine (downhill) and nordic (cross country) ski trips, usually once or twice each winter. Skiing and snowshoeing are sometimes done in a single trip, over one weekend.
Winter mountaineering involves summitting mountains or exploring rivers during the winter. Crampons, ice axes, and other gear are used in icy conditions.
Every year, the troop goes to Wah-Tut-Ca Scout Reservation in Northwood, New Hampshire. Summer Camp is an excellent opportunity for scouts to earn merit badges to advance in the program. There are activities available all over camp, ranging from sailing to rifle shooting. Attendance is strongly encouraged.
The yearly trip out west combines aspects of many of the trips above in a high adventure experience. It is often done over a week or two in August, and is lots of fun for older scouts.
