Troop 61 completes 50-mile Sabattis Rocker Challenge

On July 4-8, 2016 five scouts and four adults from Skaneateles Boy Scout Troop 61 completed the “Rocker Challenge” at Sabattis Scout Reservation in the Adirondack State Park. The completion of this challenge earned everyone the BSA 50-miler award.

Sabattis Scout Reservation comprises 2,000 acres of land with direct access to over 1,000,000 wilderness acres in the Adirondacks. There are 20 unique destinations in and around the reservation for which scouts can earn “rockers” or patches for their accomplishment.

At the urging of Troop 61, in 2015 Sabattis introduced the “Rocker Challenge” as the ultimate accomplishment a scout can achieve while at camp. A new camp patch was designed to recognize this accomplishment. In 2015 a contingent of scouts and scoutmasters from Troop 61 completed the first ever Sabattis Rocker Challenge.

This year’s contingent covered over 30 miles by canoe and 20 miles on foot; earning all 20 rockers, visiting six additional sites, and earning the BSA 50-miler patch in the process.

While the Challenge was underway, more scouts enjoyed all the other in-camp activities that Sabattis has to offer: outdoor skills, aquatic activities, shooting sports, hikes, campfires, and much more. Troop 61 scouts earned over 44 merit badges during their week at camp.

The Sabattis Rocker Challenge is just one of the many outdoor adventures of all levels of skill that Boy Scout Troop 61 completes every year. Each September, the Troop revisits the Adirondacks on their annual High Peaks Hiking Trip. Troop 61 has 18 more trips and activities planned throughout the scout year.

Any boys who are interested in outdoor adventure and have completed fifth grade are welcome to join Boy Scout Troop 61. For more information, contact Scoutmaster David Penfield at 380-5622.