oldsm 10 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I thought I'd posted this a day or so ago, but I can't find it anywhere, so I'll try again. Sorry if this is redundant. The scouts in my troop are planning an August 2008 trip from Connecticut to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. We'll be driving (about 950 miles each way), so it's a 2-day trek each way. The boys are hoping to find a BSA camp en route to overnight on the way out and back. Given the distance, it needs to be somewhere in the general area that western Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia come together. Does anyone know of any BSA camps in that area that might fill the bill? Also...we would appreciate any information that anyone can provide with respect to activities at Mammoth Cave. Obviously, there are the guided cave tours and loads of hiking. I kind of remember a kids-only guided cave tour where the kids had to wear helmets/lights, knee pads, and came out positively filthy. Fun stuff. Aside from those activities, what else is there? Any opinions with respect to camping within the park versus area commercial campgrounds? All advice is welcome. Thanks in advance. Link to post Share on other sites
SSScout 1616 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Possibilities: Goshen Scout Reservation, off I81 in VA, near Goshen VA. Check out http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/openrosters/ViewOrgPageLink.asp?LinkKey=15974&orgkey=1933 Call National Capital Area Council 301-530-9360 Heritage Scout Reservation, near Uniontown PA. Greater Pittsburgh Council(412) 471-2927 Blue Ridge Scout Reservation, South of Roanoke VA. off I81. Blue Ridge Mountain Council http://www.bsa-brmc.org/ Leave some time for site seeing! Good Scouting to you! Link to post Share on other sites
Eamonn 61 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Camp Conestoga in Bakersville PA (Not far from the PA Turnpike) Near Somerset PA. In the Laural Highlands State Park, operated by Westmoreland Fayette Council. Phone 724-837-1630 Eamonn Link to post Share on other sites
SMT224 10 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Assume you mean August 2009? Not that I'm opposed to going back in time... Camp Potomac is a very nice BSA camp near Cumberland, Maryland, which is in western Maryland. http://www.bsa757.org/index.php?page=camp-potomac Also in western Maryland is Rocky Gap State Park. Great group camping facilities (restrooms with hot water & showers) and a nice lake to swim in (designated beach with life guards). Also some great mountains to hike around in. Our Troop loves it and we often go in August because it's just about the only place in Maryland in August that is pretty much bug free. You can make reservations on-line, and it's easy to get to, just off Interstate 68. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/rockygap.html Along the Potomac River is Fort Frederick State Park, which is in the same area and has good group facilities (a water spigot and portables), and is right on the Potomac (we do not allow Scouts to swim, but occasionally an adult will get wet to cool off) and a 2 minute hike to the C&O Canal Tow Path Trail. Plus the Old Fort Frederick has been restored and is interesting to poke around in. Bugs, but not terrible. However, can get a bit humid and hot. Again, you can make reservations on-line, and it's easy to get to, just off Interstate 70. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/FortFrederick.html Link to post Share on other sites
scoutldr 732 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Hidden Valley Scout Reservation, operated by the Keystone Area COuncil, in Loysville, PA. They have cabins with full kitchens and adirondacks. Year-round shower house with HOT water! Located in Perry County west of I-81 near Carlisle. Link to post Share on other sites
Mafaking 10 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Mammoth Cave in addition to the standard tourist tours has "trog" tours. These are geared towards youths. The youths wear hardhats with lights old clothes and knee pads and scamper down paths away from the crowds. Also the park above ground is beautiful. The Green River travels through the center of the park. They have boat tours and maybe even canoe rental (not sure, you'll have to google that one) There are plenty of camping spots and great trails above ground. The two river ferries neat to take across. Depending on your stay time I would cycle the events: Day 1 Take a general long cave tour Day 2 Visit above ground trails, water falls Day 3 Trog outing, Day 4 Boat Ride Link to post Share on other sites
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