Pack 7 Visits Alpine Scout Camp

Smokey and friends

On the weekend of November 4th and 5th, Pack 7 Cub Scouts visited the Alpine Scout Camp just over the George Washington Bridge in Alpine, New Jersey. A group of scouts arrived Saturday afternoon, and made a short hike to the cabin where they would be staying overnight. They quickly collected wood for a campfire and prepared for the evening activities. Once it got dark they moved inside for a chili dinner in front of the fireplace. After dinner activities included "Scout Jeopardy" skits, jokes and even a scary story. Eric Gartttner and his father displayed their comedy skills, Jon Toto showed off his knot tying skills, and Zachary Miner and Brandon Rosenblatt helped lead the skits.

After a great night's sleep the scouts awoke to the smell of pancakes and sausages being cooked by Jon Toto and his dad. The overnighters were then soon joined by other members of the pack who arrived Sunday morning for the day's activities. First on the agenda was rock wall climbing. The scouts showed off their amazing abilities, with James DeSousa, earning the nickname "Spiderman" for his amazing wall climbing abilities. James Amato, Christopher Stamm, and Nicholas Fealey all beat there parents to the top of the wall, but their parents were impressive nonetheless.

Jason Rocha overlooks the Hudson

Climbing was followed by archery. Jason Rocha and Thomas Zwicke showed off their natural abilities, while everyone had a great time making like Robin Hood. Right next to the Archery Range was Fort Gilchrist, and the scouts had a great time exploring all the levels of the fort, even the jail.

Lunch was followed by a hard fought football game, and then a hike. The hike took us on two foot paths crossing over the Palisades Parkway and to an amazing scenic overlook of the Hudson River, where the scouts found a stone castle to explore. If the hike ended there it would have been the end of a great weekend, but the intrepid scouts and parents of Pack 7 decided to extend their hike by following the trail down to the Hudson River. The scouts learned about trail markers and conservation, as Stefan Gerek and Richard Masters took the lead in hiking down the cliffs, descending stone steps, climbing over fallen logs, admiring the amazing foliage, and finally arriving at the water. A well earned rest was taken while reclining on giant stones that had fallen from the cliffs. When the group looked back up from where they had started they were amazed as to how far down they had climbed. The scouts then lead their parents back up to the top of the Palisades. When the hike and weekend was over, everyone had a real sense of accomplishment, and how beautiful nature can be.

Look out below!

Bullseye! Climbing the walls