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Backpacking 5/1-5/3
Troop 159 monthly overnight outings are designed for Scouts of ALL ages. Additional Hi/Venture trips are often available for older and more experienced scouts. All scout and youth participants must be registered with Troop 159 Westford, and have MedForms A+B submitted. Adult participants are also required to complete online Safeguarding Youth Training and CORI check. Outing Signups are done via Skedaddle! (Read more about Skedaddle)
Backpacking: May 1-3, 2026
DESTINATION: Long Pond in Rutland, MA.
(2-3 mile hike to camp).
HI DEPART (14+): Friday, May 1, 6:00pm @ FPCU
LO DEPART: Saturday, May 2, 7:00am @ FPCU
RETURN: Sunday, May 3, mid-afternoon @ FPCU
TOUR LEADS: Hi- Derek Anderson
Lo- Tom Stonehouse
OUTING COORDINATOR: Amy Brown
$$$ Hi: Bring cash. We will stop for dinner on the way up, and Saturday morning breakfast.
$$$ Lo: Bring cash. We will stop for a quick breakfast (ie Dunkin') on the way.
KEY DATES:
4/9/26: Backpacking Presentation
*Strongly recommended for all new scouts and adults.
4/16/26: Backpack Check option #1
4/30/26: Backpack Check option #2
*Required for scouts attending their first T159 backpacking outing. Recommended for adults.
Read more about Hi-Lo Backpacking, as written by our Scouts...
Our annual backpacking outing is often in May and is usually a new scouts first experience with backpack camping instead of "car camping". Scouts hike a short distance to the campsite carrying their gear, where they can set up tents to explore nearby waterfronts. Older scouts usually head up the night before to add some extra miles and elevation to their adventure.
Swim Test
May 7, 2026 - 5:30-7:30pm
Passing the "BSA Swimmer" classification test is a requirement for ALL scouts and adults who wish to attend the June 5-7 Canoe outing, and/or the May 14 Canoe Shakedown.
Scouts & Adults that attended Summer Camp in 2025 and earned the "Swimmer" classification do not need to retake the swim test. Tests are valid for 1 year.
DESTINATION: YMCA - 35 YMCA Dr, Lowell, MA 01852. Scouts will provide their own transportation to the swim test location.
DETAILS:
Please show up 15 minutes before. Changing Rooms are available. Please be on the pool deck in bathing suit at the start of your slot.
COST: $10 per person (bring exact cash to Swim Test)
OUTING COORDINATOR: Carrie Hampton
TEST REQUIREMENTS:
Jump in feet first into water over the head, level off and begin swimming
Swim 75 yards (3 Pool lengths) in a strong manner using one of the following strokes: side-stroke, breast-stroke, trudgen or crawl. Then swim 25 yards using an easy resting back-stroke.
The 100 yards must be continuous and include 1 sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating.
Canoe Shakedown: May 14, 2026
3:45pm-8:00pm
Any scout can attend the shakedown, even if they are not attending the canoe weekend outing!
This canoe shakedown is a requirement for all scouts who wish to attend the June Canoe weekend outing, if they have never been on a Troop 159 canoe trip. Please contact the Scoutmaster if you are unable to attend the shakedown, but wish to attend the canoe trip.
DESTINATION: Nashoba Paddler,
398 West Main St, Groton, MA
MEETING LOCATION: FPCU
DEPART: 3:45pm (from FPCU)
RETURN: 7:30/8:00pm (approximately)
OUTING COORDINATORS: Helen Jamieson
TOUR LEAD: TBD
COST: $22
SPECIAL NOTE:
Lifejackets, canoes, and paddles will be provided.
WHAT TO BRING:
"Dry bag" for personal items:
Towel
Water bottle
Snack (no food provided)
Liability Waiver
Wear a bathing suit, and closed toed shoes.
Wear sunscreen and/or bug spray
REQUIREMENTS TO ATTEND SHAKEDOWN:
Pass the BSA Swimmer's Test within 1 year. We will be hosting a swim test on May 7, 2026 at Lowell YMCA. Scouts that attended Summer Camp in 2025 do not need to retake the swim test.
Closed toed shoes. No crocs. No slides . No flip flops. Watershoes are great!
Signed Nashoba Paddler: "Liability Waiver".
Canoe Outing: June 5-7, 2026
Signups open soon!
LAST OUTING OF THE TROOP YEAR !!
Canoeing, fun, and adventure! This is a 2-night trip (depart Fri night, return Sunday).
DESTINATION: Squam Lake, Holderness, NH
Ovenright camping at Mead Base Camp
DEPARTURE: FRIDAY 6/5/26, TBD pm @ FPCU
Friday- Depart Friday evening and stop for dinner along the way. Camp overnight ("car camping" in tents). Bring additional $cash for Friday Night Dinner
Saturday- Canoeing along the river. Camp Overnight ("car camping" in tents). 2 meals at camp. 1 meal on the river.
Sunday - Eat breakfast at camp then begin drive home. Bring additional $cash for Sunday lunch. Return mid afternoon after lunch stop.
*please encourage your scout to contact you on the drive home with an ETA
OUTING COORDINATORS: Jeffrey Zhang
TOUR LEAD: TBD
COST: $TBD
$$$: Bring cash to stop for food during the drives on Friday and Sunday.
REQUIREMENTS TO ATTEND CANOE TRIP:
Pass the BSA Swimmer's Test within 1 year. We will be hosting a swim test on May 7, 2026. Scouts that attended Summer Camp in 2025 do not need to retake the swim test.
Closed toed shoes. No crocs. No slides . No flip flops. Watershoes are great!
Canoe Shakedown: May 14, 2026 @ 4:00-8:00pm.
*Canoe presentation and Shakedown are required for scouts who have never attended a Troop 159 canoe trip. Please contact Outing Coordinator & Tour Lead if your "new" scout is unable to attend.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Lifejackets, canoes, and paddles will be provided.
Save the dates:
Questions about an outing? Contact our Outing Coodinators: outings@troop159westford.org
Venture 14+
Additional outings/add-ons are planned for Scouts age 14+ who wish to challenge themselves. Signups and announcements are made in person at meetings. Our Venture outings have included biking trips, more challenging hikes, and winter camping. Here are a few examples...
Winter Mountains (14+)
Older scouts can participate in more challenging trips like a winter hike to conquer 5000footers! These outings included lots of planning and preparation. Always a great time, and truly an adventure for the scouts and the adult leaders!
Midnight Hike (14+)
Why hike in the daylight when you can hike at midnight?! Older scouts enjoy starting down the trail at sunset, and completing over 7 miles by midnight! Headlamps and a full moon light the way. Scouts set up tents, or sleep under the stars. Scouts often wake early to do some fishing at the nearby Wachipuka pond.
Summer Bike Trips (14+)
Older scouts put rubber to the pavement for extended bike trips over 200 miles! Leading up to the outing they did several bike shakedowns to ensure scouts and bikes were ready for the journey! Lots of laughs, a few skinned knees, and life long memories are the takeaways from our venture bike trips!
Midnight Marathon Bike Ride (14+)
Light up your bike and take to the streets along the marathon route! The night before the Boston Marathon scouts can ride the whole route for a truly unique experience!
See Mr. Mario for permission slip.
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