Summer HEAT 2025

Getting Youth Involved in Planning

While we have the destination and the general itinerary picked out, there is a lot that still needs to be done. Any youth would like to earn credits toward their National Outdoor Achievement Awards are encouraged to participate in planning menus; finalizing itineraries and logistical plans; and making reservations. Contact Mr. Nutter if you want to be a part of planning this outing.

Training Trips

The PLC has identified three trips that will include a hiking element to prepare for the HEAT Trek

• October - Will include a 10 mile hike along the banks of Cave Run Lake

• November - Will include a 10 mile hike around Camp Crooked Creek

• March - Will include a 15 mile hike along the Cumberland River

HEAT Trek participants should participate in at least two of these trips. The March trip will be especially helpful, as it will exceed the length of the longest day of the HEAT Trek.

Gear Shakedown

On 21 April, we would like all participants to join us at 7:00 PM at St. Mark's for a gear shakedown. Each participant should arrive with their gear packed (as best they can). We will go through the gear list and make sure everyone has everything they need, or leaving with a list of what they need to acquire before trip departure. 

On 19 May, we will hold a second shakedown. At this shakedown, everyone should arrive with all their gear. We will pack for the trip and your packs should remain untouched until we depart.

As overnight gear will need to be carried anywhere from 0.5 to 1.5 miles into the camping areas, it is highly recommended that each scout pack their gear in an expedition backpack. If you do not have one of these, contact Mr. Nutter.  We have a few we can loan out.

In addition to the gear shakedown, we will review the trail map, travel plans, potential awards, etc. 

Related Merit Badges

Scouts may consider working toward one (or both) of the Hiking or Backpacking merit badges. Each merit badge involves learning about planning trips, safety in the outdoors, and gear appropriate to these kinds of adventures. Each then requires a certain number of expeditions

Hiking Merit Badge

Scouts must plan hikes to include map routes, clothing lists, and trail lunch lists for each of the hikes below. (The three prep treks will qualify toward these hikes)

• Four 10 mile hikes

• One 20 mile hike (we are looking at adding an additional activity for those scouts that need to complete Hiking for Eagle)

Backpacking Merit Badge

• Three 3-day trips with two campsites covering at least 15 miles (no food resupply is permitted for this requirement)

• One 5-day trip with three campsites covering at least 30 miles (food resupply is allowed for this requirement)

National Outdoor Achievement Award Credits

The following activities are available for youth who wish to work toward NOA awards

• Hiking Strip, Req 4 - all hiking/backpacking on the training trips and the HEAT Trek count toward the 100 mile requirement.

• Adventure Strip, Req 3 - Backpacking the first three days without a food resupply is a qualified adventure

• National Medal, Req 8 - Planning the HEAT Trek completes this requirement. There is still a great deal of planning that needs to be done for menus, logistics around gear drop off and pickup, and making reservations.

Gaia GPS and AllTrails Map

We have finalized our itinerary plan and the hiking map may be downloaded from our trip files (GPX File). We encourage participants with smart phone to download the Gaia GPS (or AllTrails) app and download the map to your device. Scouts are encouraged to do this as well. If you would prefer not to register your child for an account, talk to Mr. Nutter about using the troop's account instead. 

Life 360 (Location Tracking Services)

With long days in remote areas we must recognize the possibility of individuals being separated from the group. We will take measures to avoid such mishaps, but wish to be prepared for a lost scout event, nonetheless. 

Life 360 is an app that can be installed on smart phones that provides GPS tracking.  There is a free-tier plan you can subscribe to that offers location tracking of the devices in your “circle.” In the event of an emergency, you can add a troop leader to your circle to help us locate your scout faster. (You should not add us by default. Following Youth Protection principles, we should not be able to track your child's location unless there is an emergency)

This is not an endorsement, nor is it an expectation. Just another tool for you to consider.

If you have privacy concerns about using a tracking service, talk to a leader about disabling location services until the app is needed in an emergency.