Joshua Tree Outing

When: April 11-13
Meet: Friday Night, 6:00 pm, at Bixby
Return: Sunday Afternoon, approximately 3:00pm to Bixby
Fee: $45.00 Due on March 24 (plus patrol food costs)
Estimated Drive time: 3 hours
Expected Temperatures: Day 80°, Night 50°, Sunny.
Sunrise: 6:17 am
Sunset: 7:15 pm

Outing Coordinator: Robert McClure

Joshua Tree is certainly one of the better places we go to each year. We have the same campsites as last year, plus the middle one, giving us plenty of room for tents and kitchens. Rock climbing and rappelling are the main attractions at Joshua Tree (its world famous if you didn't know), but there are plenty of other things to do as well. We do our annual compass course (for that pesky First Class requirement) here, and as usual everyone will be participating. The weather looks to be just about perfect, and with any luck we will have a clear sky at night for some of the best star gazing you can find.

As always this is a big advancement weekend for Troop 29. Among the items on tap are: a 5 mile hike for Second Class requirement 1b, animal and plant identifications for Second Class requirement 5 and First Class requirement 6, and the annual 1 mile orienteering course for First Class requirement 2. This is just a partial list. Take a look through your Scout book for any other you need, chances are you can complete them on this outing.

Joshua Tree is a desert region so drinking lots of water and wearing suncreen is important. Don't forget your wide mouth water bottle, as we will have plenty of cool water and/or juice available all weekend. Also, wearing comforable clothes and using sunscreen are important in keeping yourself healthy and happy while away from home (as well as once you are back home). Please consult the Suggested Pack List or ask your Patrol Leader if you have any questions on gear.

Food will be cooked by patrol, with each patrol responsible for buying and cooking their own meals. This is a great place to do that First Class cooking requirement, since there is usually plenty of daylight and everyone is pretty hungry. Scouts are advised to bring some money with them for lunch on Sunday. We will be leaving camp around 12pm and stopping in Yucca Valley for lunch.

Parents please make sure you have signed and returned the rock climbing authorization that was sent home on the outing flyer.

Our Suggested Pack List is available, as are the Troop 29 Ten Essentials.

More information on Joshua Tree in general is available at joshuatree.org and the National Parks website.