Girl Scouts Go Hiking

Girl Scout Troop 2077 from Nashua/Fort Peck is expanding their outdoor skills! These girls have been working on their camping skills for quite a while and are becoming quite proficient. Recently they decided to add backpacking to those skills. The girls are learning the basics right now (equipment, preparing, etc.) and will continue moving forward to more advanced skills.

A generous donor, Mitch Duryea, Duryea and Assoc of Spokane, Wash., a long time scouting friend of leader Patti Scanlan, donated backpack stoves to each scout. The girls spent a day sewing Backpacking Cozies (we call them Hamster Sleeping Bags because they resemble something made for small animals to sleep in). These cozies are used to help cook backpacking meals to keep the food warm and hands from burning when adding boiling water to the meals.

On May 22, the Scouts went on a simple hike to test out their stoves and cozies, and to see what it is like to carry all your food, water, and equipment. They learned that having the right backpack and shoes is very important, as well as Leave No Trace principles. They hiked about three miles to the Lewis & Clark Overlook, learned to safely use their new backpack stoves, cook their lunch and hot cocoa, and enjoy the view. In addition, they hid a new Geocache in the area.

The scouts are looking forward to continuing to advance their skills, and possibly a multi-day trip this fall.