25 Mile Back Country Trek

SCOUT LIKE A GIRL! That is the theme for BSA girls Troop 402G out of Lafayette who are hitting the ground running and blazing new trails. We are a newly formed independent girls troop in the BSA Scouting program. We began in February 2019 when the BSA organization opened their doors for girls to join. With the inspiration and tradition of their brother troop 204, the girls embarked on their first 5 day, 25 mile backcountry hiking trek in August. They headed out from the crabtree trailhead, in the Emigrant Wilderness. There were two treks for a total of 26 participants, with 17 scouts and 9 adults. Each trek ranged from 11 - 16 and each trek were led by the Senior Patrol Leader and the Assistant Patrol Leader. The older scouts took charge and lead the treks teaching them camping, hiking, cooking, and to always have fun with a positive attitude and to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. With all the girls being new scouts, they didn’t have any expectations except to get wild for awhile in the wilderness and have an amazing time. The weather couldn't have been better, the surroundings couldn't have been more majestic and the excitement and attitudes of the scouts couldn't have been higher. The girls trekked throughout the emigrant wilderness with high spirits, laughing and singing to get through the difficult climbs and helping each other make their way across creeks and streams and over boulders. Their favorite times were of course the final destination each night and setting up camp, swimming in the lakes, climbing rocks and telling stories around the campfire. Since starting in late February Troop 402 has been an active troop that encourages growth and independence by offering an enriching active outdoor experience. Now that the girls have finished this trek and have the experience and sense of adventure, the girls can't stop talking about next year’s adventure. The backcountry hiking trips the scout program offers really help to develop the scouts sense of confidence like nothing else. For each of these scouts, boys and girls, to accomplish the mileage, mental fortitude, homesickness, injury and come away with the knowledge they can meet any challenge with courage and bravery, creates a sense of confidence like nothing else. We pride ourselves on developing strong leadership, serving our community and a love for the outdoors. We do this with support, kindness, inclusivity and closeness of all the girls in our scout family. We always have a lot of fun together while participating in scouting activities. From troop meetings, community service and overnight camping trips, the bonds that are forming help the girls to develop from scouts into future leaders we all can be proud of.