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.
Campout Details:
- Durations are normally over an entire weekend, but can be simple overnighters too
- The campout locations vary based on season and program activities
- At all camping trips, Troop 31 provides tents, cooking gear, and food
- The fee is solely for the group food expense
Typical Camping Locations
Sites vary from local venues like:
- Mendon Ponds Park
- Webster Park
- Brockport Canal Park
- Zorn Valley Forest (southwest of Buffalo)
- Tughill Dog Sled races (near Watertown)
- Herkimer Diamond Mines (near Utica)
Activity Types
Activities range from:
- Bike trips
- Hiking/Backpacking
- Scout Skills base camping
- Merit badge focused activities
What Scouts Need to Bring
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.
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.
Program Opportunities
- First Year Scouts: 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
- Funding: 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 - Backpacking in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
- Northern Tier - Canoeing in Minnesota and southern Canada
- Sea Base, FL - Sailing and diving in the Florida Keys
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. These incredible events bring Scouts together from across the country and around the world for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.