est. 1966 in the Toledo, Ohio Metropolitan Area
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UPCOMING NATURALIST SCOUT EVENTS FOR LATE 2012 & 2013
The picture above was taken at the Naturalist Scout Camp near Cadillac, Michigan. The cabin and our two tree houses were built by the guys in the group.This autumn we plan to visit our camp 3 times. The first trip in late August, will be devoted to cutting firewood, making repairs on the cabin, and finishing our newest tree house. On the September trip, we will paddle down the nearby Pine River in canoes and kayaks. In October, the group will hike on the Jordon River Trail, which is also nearby. The Jordon River trail follows the river downstream for 8 miles, where there is a nice campsite. At the mid—point the trail crosses the river and heads upstream for 8 miles. A nice highlight is a scenic vista from a high ridge top. In autumn the vista of autumn leaves is amazing.
In November we plan to head down to Kentucky to do some rock climbing and repelling. We will be going to the Torrent Falls Climbing Area. You can look for more details on the internet.
We celebrate winter on our annual winter snow trip, December 27-30th. We head for our camp near Cadillac, Michigan, where there is normally plenty of snow. Most of the guys love to snowboard and ski. We often head for Boyne or Caberfae, which are near our camp. So everyone can experience winter, we have everyone camp out in a tent at least one night. During January and February, we always do a lot more skiing and snowboarding. At winter meetings we repair bikes to ready them for spring & summer.
As winter is drawing to a close, we head back to our camp near Cadillac, Michigan to make maple syrup. Sugar maples are abundant at our camp, and March is the best time of the year to make syrup. After boiling down the syrup for many hours, we celebrate spring with an all you can eat pancake breakfast.
During spring, the meetings are devoted to projects that help the environment. Our group is part of the Ohio Adopt A Highway Program. We pick up litter on State Route 64, on the south edge of Oak Openings. Our major spring Earth Day litter clean up will be at Independence Dam State Park near Defiance. Here we will be cleaning up the old canal from canoes. In spring we also repair and replace bluebird and bat houses.
Our spring camping trips feature backpacking and biking. Over spring vacation we are planning a backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. In 2012 we hiked the first 45 miles of the trail, and in 2013 we plan to pick up where we left off, at Neel's Gap. In spring we also have short overnight bike rides to get in condition for longer rides in summer.
During the month of May, we have our most important fund raising event of the year, which is the Maumee Valley Tri-Adventure Race, which is Saturday May 18, 2013. It is held at Independence Dam State Park near Defiance. In this race participants first bike 36 miles on paved back roads. The second leg is 6 miles of canoeing or kayaking on the Maumee River. The last leg is backpacking 8 miles with 20% of your weight. Awards are given to the best male and female teams in each class. People may also do the race solo, or part of a relay team. Most people in good shape require 5-6 hours to do the race, but a few have done it in less than 5 hours.
Every summer, the group plans a special summer trip. The trip for 2012 was a week- long canoe trip in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota. The super trip for 2011 was a bike trip from Toledo to Maine (1038 mi.). The super trip for 2013 will be a hiking adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park. These trips sound very expensive but the guys only have to pay for their food, which they and their parents buy and pack before the trip. This way the parents are in control of how much the food costs.
You will note that one important thread runs through everything. Our trips are all challenging. We backpack with heavy packs, and bike and canoe with all of our gear. We don't use vans to carry our gear everywhere we go. Our work meetings are normally 4 hours long. We work and camp year around in kinds of weather. The Naturalist Scouts is not for wimps. Since the group began in 1966, We have camped in 38 states, and biked in 25. If you want to join a group that will give you real challenges call 419826-5182 for more information. We are happy to provide parents with a list of former members and pare
Back in 1847, Henry Dave Thoreau watched red and black ants fight all afternoon, killing each other by the thousands. Thoreau asked an interesting question:
"Are people who fight wars any different or smarter than ants that do the same thing?"
The Naturalist Scouts is a great way for boys 11-17 to find adventure in the Northwest Ohio/Southeast Michigan (Toledo) Area. This group is for teenage boys who are enthusiastic about the great outdoors. The group takes backpacking, canoeing, and biking trips several times a year, all over the country. Due to the scouts affiliation with Hostelling International, the only cost will be buying camping gear, paying for your share of food on a trip, and for any additional trip cost or extras.
The Naturalist Scouts is also open to adult men older than 18, and relatives of members who wish to serve as assistant leaders. The first 4 weeks is a trial period for everyone.
The Naturalist Scouts is directed by Larry Lindsay who is a certified teacher and a local park naturalist. Mr. Lindsay is assisted by Brian Fink. We will be happy to provide you with references for these people.
Please call Larry Lindsay at 419-826-5182, 7-10 p.m. or e-mail larryllindsay [at] centurylink.net
Don't forget to view the links above, they have more information about the group and trips.