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September 23, 2012

From the September 22-28, 1977 Archives - Boy Scouts canoe in Maine

by Ginger Boyles Princeton Times

PRINCETON — Princeton Troop 1 of the Boy Scouts of America travelled 2,800 miles during a two week trip to Allagash in the North Woods of Maine for "high adventure." On the road to and from Allagash the troop stayed overnight at an army depot, scout camps, a provincial park, and an Alexandria, Va. back yard.

The trip climaxed a year of planning and hard work on the part of the scouts and scoutmaster Jeff Wartluft. The cost to send the boys on the trip was $116. per scout, and was financed primarily by cutting and selling firewood in the area.

The scouts paddled about 45 miles through lakes Chamberlain, EAgle, Churchill, Heron, Umsaskis, Long, and Round Pond, and said that they were lucky to have the wind at their backs on several occasions. They took advantage of that wind by lashing their canoes together and using a tarp as a sail.

The scouts were able to observe nature first hand. Paddling by moose and deer; fell asleep to the sounds of the loon; and sighted many water birds and even spotted a bear cub. The scouts caught fish, mostly chubs and one brook trout.

They were able to report on the cleanliness of the water ways, and said that the river water was usable as drinking water on several occasions.

After several days on the Allagash, the troop headed to the St. John river where vehicles were waiting to take them from the "put in" point to the "take out" at the Allagash Village.

The troops were proud of their efforts. They used their own equipment and resources on the trip to the area.

 

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