Intro to Canoe Camping Report
Boonsboro, MD, paddling on Antietam Creek
Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-29, 2017
On May 27th at 0700, 26 scouts and 12 scouters / parents headed north to Antietam Creek in Boonsboro, Maryland. Knowing that it would be a wet weekend in the water as well as the showers that would be present through the weekend, none of us were a bit surprised to see rain on the windshields of the cars as we set out. No worries, we will be in the water soon enough.
We all arrived at Devil’s Backbone Park and met up with Greg and Mike, our two expert canoe outfitters / guides. For those that were not at the Canoe Leader Training in April, an abbreviated block of instructions about water safety and the basics of steering a canoe as well as other important items that would arise as we floated down the creek were conveyed enthusiastically by Mike and Greg. Shortly thereafter, we launched the canoes and had to maneuver in the creek’s current touching bow and stern on the bridge abutments to allow the canoe teams to gain navigational confidence before setting off downstream.
As we floated downstream, many canoes tipped over some due to mishaps with rocks, streamers and unbalanced canoes. Then there was Elijah and his crew, deliberately tipping over for the fun of it. All in good fun. Many of the scouts and adults had super soakers that provided firepower on the creek. For those that did not tip over on the first day, they were certainly getting soaked with long range water guns. The only casualty of the day was Patrick’s water shoe. He lost it somehow when he was out of the canoe and perhaps it is well on its way to the Chesapeake Bay.
After lunch and more canoeing, we pulled the boats out of the water at Rohrbach’s Campground, set up camp and had dinner and smore’s.
On May 28th, after breakfast and struggling to get into a circle, Mike gave us a talk on the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, the environment and the Battle of Antietam to convey the importance of Memorial Day and the price paid by both the Union and Confederate soldiers on September 17th, 1862. ASM Parker provided additional historical context and information to augment Mike’s talking points.
Into the water we go! Downstream from Molly’s Hole to Burnside Bridge. On the way downstream, we had bumper canoes, many tip overs; again some on purpose and some due to creek conditions and operator error. Between the instigation and continued onslaught of water arsenal antics by Mr. Wilson, Mr. Parker, Mr. Baker, Josh D, Chaz L, Joey P, and Charlie F, we had plenty of wet fun through lunch.
After lunch, opportunity strikes for a river rescue mission. As Mr. Defilipps and Mr Simms came around a bed of rocks to make the hair pin turn to the left to miss the streamer, navigational challenges caused them to abandon ship to avoid a wilderness first aid situation. Their canoe began taking on water and the strong current pulled their canoe under a felled tree 20 yards from the streamer. The wedged canoe, now fully submerged and full of water provided a great opportunity for Mike and Greg to assemble all of the scouts and adults for the river rescue demonstration. Thanks to Mr. Shivnen, we have a full video of the rescue. Mr. Simms’ hat was lost in the incident and may be headed for the Bay along with Patrick’s shoe.
As we approached Burnside Bridge, we managed to get all of the canoes out of the water with a great deal of team work performed by the scouts and Mother Nature decided we needed showers. As the rain fell, the troop was singing Happy Birthday to Simon which must have been the 25th time that day. Back to the campground to dry off, have dinner and polish off the remaining Oreos and dry off.
May 29th, after a restful night’s sleep, we packed up and headed to the Battlefield Visitor’s Center. Mr. Parker provided another great historical talk about the Battle of Antietam to the troop just before we stepped into the center theater to watch a 30 minute movie on the battle. Mr. Shivnen and Mr. Simms provided a military veteran’s perspective on the importance and significance of Memorial Day with linkages to our freedoms and the Battle of Antietam. Afterwards, we walked down to Bloody Lane, looked over the terrain as we made our way over to the observation tower, which allowed the scouts and the adults to view the battle field and imagine the challenges, hardships, and the many American lives lost in the bloodiest single day battle in American History.
On our way back to Andrew Chapel, we stopped at the CiCi’s all you can eat pizza buffet and enjoyed pizza, salad, and desert.
Overall, this was a very well planned and organized outing with lots of fun and learning had by all. The SPL, Patrick M, ASPL Gabe H and the patrol leaders (Simon K, Alec B, Andrew B, Ryan W, Elijah W) did a great job managing the events and activities for the troop. A great deal of thanks to Mr. Parker for planning and leading this successful outing.