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Camping

Troop 31 is an active camping troop. You will be able to participate in a number of different style camping opportunities. Our camping is divided into four areas of opportunity based on your experience and rank: Monthly Campouts, Spring Trips, Summer Camping, and High Adventure Experience.

Monthly Campouts Each month from September to June (except December during the Tree Sale), the Scouts of the Troop organize, plan and carry out a campout.  The initial planning is done every August when the Patrol Leader Council meets to plan the yearly program calendar.  Durations are normally over an entire weekend, but can be simple overnighters too. The campout locations vary based on season and program activities.  Sites vary from local venues like Mendon Ponds Park, Webster Park, and Brockport Canal Park to Zorn Valley Forest (south west of Buffalo) to Tughill Dog Sled races (near Watertown) to the Herkimer Diamond Mines (near Utica).  Activities range from Bike trips to Hiking/Backpacking to Scout Skills base camping to merit badge focused.  See the Calendar for this year's activities.

At all camping trips, Troop 31 provides tents, cooking gear, and food.  Scouts are to provide $10 two weeks prior to a campout, which confirms their place on the campout.  The fee is solely for the group food expense.  Scouts selected to fulfill the position of Patrol Grubmaster will be allotted money to purchase food for their patrol.  All other scouts in the patrol are just required to bring appropriate clothing, water bottle, sleeping bag and any other appropriate personals outlined in the Scout Handbook.

Spring Trips
Historically, over the past twenty years, Troop 31 has challenged the scouts to a Spring Trip over the Spring Break week off.  These trips alternate themes of adventure/fun to educational.  The trips are typically open to all scouts who are active in the troop and have participated in at least one year of Tree Sales.  Past trips have included: 

Massawepie Summer Camp
For the past 61 years, Troop 31 has been an active participant at Massawepie BSA Camp outside Tupper Lake in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.  This is an excellent opportunity for younger and older scouts alike to have fun and to complete advancement opportunities.  First year Scouts are able to participate in the Trailblazer Program, which vaults them on their way to achieving the Rank of Tenderfoot and even Second Class.  All other scouts have the opportunity to work on and achieve between three and five merit badges per week.  Summer Camp funding is available to all scouts who have participated in the Tree Sale.

High Adventure Camp 
High Adventure Experience is for older scouts who meet or exceed the Troop Committee requirements. High adventure Scout Camp is the opportunity for older scouts to challenge themselves both physically and mentally.  Scouts have the opportunity to attend the National BSA Camps at Philmont, NM, the Northern Tier in MN and southern Canada, and Sea Base in FL.

National & World Jamborees 
Older Scouts who also meet or exceed the expectations of the Troop Committee have the opportunity to attend either National or World Jamborees.