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Providence Canyon Redux

Our first view of the Canyon from above.
Providence Canyon in Lumpkin, Georgia as seen from the canyon rim

BSA Scouts Troop 115 hiked Providence Canyon this past week. The scenery was amazing and our scouts accomplished a lot. As Mr. Smith says, “we don’t go camping to rough it.” We walked a long way but there were rewards around every bend and over every hilltop.

Troop 115 at Providence Canyon
Scouts and leaders at one of the overlook areas at Providence Canyon State Park.
abandoned cars
Our scouts saw several abandoned cars can be found along the hiking trail. These cars were left behind by land owners when the park land was purchased by the state.

We saw several interesting sites along the hiking trail, like abandoned classic cars, and interesting plants. We had a picnic near one of the streams near the canyon bottom.

When we returned to our campsite, we enjoyed a filling dinner. Scouts had chili and cobbler.

We didn’t let the rain deter us from a good time. We sat under the shelter and talked the night away with the sounds of the raindrops in the background. With full bellies, and a little tired from our adventure, we returned to our tents for a very sound night of sleep.

I know that I can barely wait for the next Scouting adventure.

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Scouting for Food 2020

Troop 115 Scouting for food area

On January 25 Scout Troop 115 in Tallahassee will distribute bags for this year’s food drive. Our troop has a long tradition of participating in this event with great success. On February 1, we will collect the bags we distributed to the residents of the Durward neighborhood. This event is a lot of fun and and goes quickly with lots of hands on deck. Let’s see how much food we can collect this year.

In addition to scouts, we also need adults to drive for the event. Let’s get those bags to the homes in the area and let’s collect as much food as we can for those who need it in our area.

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Webelos Woods Wrap

Scouts listening

BSA Scouts Troop 115 had a great and productive time at Webelos Woods this year. Webelos woods is the Suwanee River Area Council’s event to introduce Webelos to the patrol method and youth led activities. It’s also an opportunity for local troops to meet Webelos who are about to cross over to scouting.

This year’s program was different from previous years, recruiting scouts to act as patrol leaders for the Webelos dens. Kenny and Jake served as ambassadors from our troop to their Webelos patrol.

Scout, David at Webelos Woods
David makes his presentation.

The scouts were led to a number presentations from the attending units, Venturing and Order of the Arrow. Scout Troop 115 made a presentation on how to safely set fires. David did a great job as our Scout presenter and we passed out Troop 115 decals to all the visiting scouts.

Of course, if we don’t make time for fun then we aren’t doing scouting right. Somewhere in the midst of leading Webelos around Wallwood, teaching about fire safety, and cleaning up meals, all our scouts found a little time for gaga ball before the movie and desserts.

Scouts playing gaga ball
David, Kenny and Jake playing gaga ball
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Get Ready for Providence Canyon

Scouts in Providence Canyon

BSA Scouts Troop 115 is headed back to Providence Canyon. If you have hiking requirements for merit badges or rank advancement, this is the place to get it. The canyon is beautiful. The camping offers wonderful wilderness views and an interesting history.

There are trails that run along the rim of the canyon and down inside the too. In our experience, usually camping in January, this camping trip is the one most likely to earn frost points (sleeping outdoors in freezing weather).

Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon” is a testament to the power of man’s influence on the land. Massive gullies as deep as 150 feet were caused simply by poor farming practices during the 1800s, yet today they make some of the prettiest photographs within the state. The rare Plumleaf Azalea grows only in this region and blooms during July and August when most azaleas have lost their color. The canyon soil’s pink, orange, red and purple hues make a beautiful natural painting at this quiet park.

Visitors can enjoy views of the canyons from the rim trail, taking care to stay behind fences and off the fragile canyon edge. Hikers who explore the deepest canyons will usually find a thin layer of water along the trail, indication of the water table below. Guests who hike to canyons 4 and 5 may want to join the Canyon Climbers Club. Backpackers can stay overnight along the backcountry trail which highlights portions of the canyon and winds through mixed forest. Camping, cottages and efficiency units are available nearby at Florence Marina State Park on 45,000 acre Lake Walter F. George.

https://gastateparks.org/ProvidenceCanyon

When we meet after the Winter Break, be ready to prepare meals and plan on activities for our next camping trip. We are going to have a great time. Sign up to go camping with this link today.

YIS