October 2023 Camping Trip to Gettysburg

On October 20-22, 2023 Troop 66 visited Gettysburg National Military Park for a weekend of cabin camping and hiking. On Friday night the troop arrived at Troop 79’s St. James cabin. The cabin was filled with couches and had a kitchen downstairs. Saturday morning began with the adults making pancakes and sausages for all of the scouts. After breakfast the troop took a short car ride to Gettysburg National Military Park. Once everybody arrived, a 7-mile hike awaited, with 8 destinations. But first was a quick picture at the visitor center followed by a hike to the State of Penn monument with a cannon demonstration afterwards.




The third stop was the New Jersey Brigade Monument which was dedicated to the 5 New Jersey regiments. Following the monument was a long hike to Devil’s Den. The troop stopped at Devils Den Mountain for lunch and the scouts were allowed to climb around it afterwards. After the mountain the troop stopped at the Irish Brigade monument dedicated to the Irish soldiers who fought for the union. The General James Longstreet statue was our next stop, and the statue was a life-size look at James Longstreet and his horse. The Virginia Monument was our second to last stop and was a monument built to honor the soldiers who died fighting for the confederate army. The last destination was the Copse of Trees which was a guiding point for the attacking troops. The trees are surrounded by metal fences. After a short stop at the gift shop the troop returned to the cabin for a lasagna dinner. Our final destination was on Sunday at the Gettysburg cemetery. The scouts were able to read the Gettysburg Address out loud and visit the gravestones.




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