From our earliest days, Americans have always met the challenge of the frontier. Venturing into the wilderness carrying everything they needed on their backs, these brave scouts were at home with nature,familiar with all of the plants and animals in the forest and on the prairie. Skilled with the bow, rifle and rod, they caught their game, started their fires with flint and steel, and cooked their meals. Skilled navigators, they knew how to find their way through any terrain. They befriended the Native Americans and learned their ways. Far from civilization, they learned how to care for themselves and their comrades when sick or injured. Skilled pioneers, they built bridges to cross rivers, forts for protection and homes for their families.
These traditions are kept alive today in the Scouting movement. The Sagamore Service Troop is proud to present the Pine Tree Training Program, designed to teach you the same skills our forefathers needed to survive in the wilderness.
2019-2020 PINE TREE TRAINING SCHEDULE
(Program Descriptions Below)
September 21, 2019 – Backpacking
September 28, 2019 – Fishing
October 19, 2019 – Orienteering
May 23, 2020 – Mountain Biking
July 25, 2020 - Fishing
PROGRAMS OFFERED:
Cooking – Geary Shelter This topic can be tailored to your troops needs. It can cover the following areas; Tenderfoot thru First Class cooking requirements. It can cover advanced cooking including menus, food shopping, food preparation, Dutch ovens, cooking without utensils, clean up, and sanitation. Either way, your group will cook and clean up a lunch. The Scoutmaster will be contacted prior to the date to find out what he/she wants to cover.
Orienteering – Hewlett Cabin The Orienteering program is a full day session, which teaches skills in using a compass, map reading, navigating using a map and compass and the basics of the sport of Orienteering. The program stresses the practical application of the skills, culminating with the basic Orienteering course at Schiff. Recommend Scouts be at least 11 years old. The program will satisfy requirements 2-6 of the Orienteering merit badge. Upon request, we will also cover First Class requirement 4a. Scouts should bring an orienteering compass. Bring a blue card signed by the Scoutmaster if you’re working on the merit badge.
Nature – The Nature Lodge Sessions will cover the 2nd and 1st class requirements completely, plus how to read the signs of Nature for weather, direction, by season, etc. Participants should be familiar with the material covered in the requirements, and the plants and animals common to our area. Each participant should bring their handbook, a pen, a pad and a pocket knife. A set of binoculars might be helpful to have. NOTE: This is not the Nature Merit Badge.
Fishing – Hewlett Cabin Open to all Scouts. Hands on fishing program designed to stimulate the love of fishing. All the requirements for the fishing Merit Badge will be gone over and we’ll try our luck on Deep Pond. You will need to bring a fishing pole and a lunch. Anybody over the age of 16 must have a New York State fishing license. Price includes ½ dozen worms per Scout.
Mountain Biking – Schiff SR and Bethpage State Park You will be biking in the great outdoors and be in the heart of nature. Different biking techniques, understanding biking on different surfaces and slopes, safety and repairs will be demonstrated.
Backpacking – Schiff SR Learn what you need (and what you don’t need) to carry in your pack for an extended hike.
Cold Weather Camping – Schiff SR Learn how to be prepared to comfortably camp in cold weather. Tips for making camp, staying hydrated & food, gear, clothing and preventing cold weather injuries will be demonstrated.
Geocaching – Coming soon!
Pioneering – Coming soon!
All programs start at 9:00 AM at Schiff Scout Reservation, unless otherwise indicated.
Scouts earn the Pine Tree patch and a rocker for each session attended.
Reservations must be made no later than one (1) week prior to the session.
All registrations must be made online. See the TRC calendar for each specific session. (http://www.trcbsa.org/Calendar)
Sessions with less than six (6) scouts registered one (1) week prior to the session may be cancelled.
There is a limit of 20 scouts per session (Orienteering - 15).
UNITS MUST PROVIDE ADULT SUPERVISION AT EACH SESSION FOR WHICH THEY REGISTER A SCOUT. ________________________________________________________________________________________________