174Saratoga Ft.Ticonderoga Troop Trip

Troop 174

Memorial Day Weekend Troop Trip
Saratoga Park, Lake George, Ft. Ticonderoga
May 26-29, 2006

(Last updated May 22, 2006)

..___
___________Saratoga National Historical Park______________________Fort Ticonderoga____________________

Overview

On Saturday we will hike the "Wilkinson National Historic Trail" (about 8 miles) at the Saratoga National Historical Park in Stillwater, NY and complete the requirements to earn the patch and medal.
On Sunday we will visit the Fort Ticonderoga National Historic Landmark in Ticonderoga, NY.
On Monday we will do some activities in Lake George, NY and drive home.
We will tent camp at the Hearthstone Point NYS DEC campground in Lake George.

Details

Family members are welcome.
Sign up here. Troop Trip to Saratoga Park, Lake George, Fort Ticonderoga. DEADLINE May 4 at 6:00 p.m.

Families who sign up are responsible for the $18 per night per campsite (maximum of 6 people per campsite).

Bring your own food for breakfasts, bag lunches, and snacks on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. We shall eat dinner at a restaurant on Saturday and Sunday.
The Boy Scout Handbook's Camping chapter (pages 216-245) has a good discussion of what gear to bring and why. Clothing lists (pages 203-204). Bring a day pack.
Be prepared for possible black flies.
Hearthstone Point campground rules (all rules are near the bottom of the webpage). Some of the rules are:

". . . All persons entering the campground must be registered. Upon arrival campers must have their camping equipment and be prepared to set up. No permits will be issued and no unregistered sites will be occupied between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Check in time is 12 noon until 9:00 p.m. Campers must register and occupy their site by 9:00 p.m. on the first night of their reservation. Check out time is 11 a.m. Campers must vacate their campsite no later than 11:00 a.m. on the date the camping permit expires. . . Campers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. You must sign for your own site. No one else may register a site for you. Occupancy is limited to 6 people per site. Two tents or one unit of hard wheeled camping equipment and a tent is allowed per site. The names of all campers staying on a site must be listed on the camping permit when you first register at the facility. Two vehicles are allowed per site. Additional vehicles will be charged a daily fee and cannot be parked at the site. . . Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. and are strictly enforced. Campers not listed on the camping permit are not allowed in the facility during these hours. Generators may not be operated during these hours. A recycling center is available for refuse disposal. . . In our continuing effort to provide you with a safe and enjoyable experience within our public campgrounds, the following Special Rules and Regulation will be in effect for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. PROHIBITED: Beer Balls and Beer Kegs. Alcohol permit required if quantities exceed one case of beer, one liter of liquor, or two liters of wine per site. All campers must wear ID bracelets, provided at registration throughout your stay. No vehicle traffic after midnight. No visitors allowed. The full names of all members of the camping party must be listed on the camping permit at the time of registration. Unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, no person under 21 years of age shall possess alcoholic beverages within any campground. There are no boat launch facilities at this park. There are no day use facilities at this park. . . "

BSA safety policy guidelines state "Do not travel in convoy." No follow-the-leader driving. All drivers should have all maps necessary and be familiar with the directions.

Friday, May 26

Optional - Families may sign up to arrive Friday and camp overnight Friday night. If you want to do this, tell Mr. Peter H. as soon as possible. Supper on your own. Remember that you MUST arrive, register, and occupy your campsite by 9:00 p.m. on your first night. The traffic will probably be more congested than usual today because of the Memorial Day weekend, so allow enough time to arrive at Hearthstone Point campground well before 9:00 p.m.

Drive to your campsite at Hearthstone Point campground.

3298 Lake Shore Drive

Directions to Hearthstone Point campground:

Hearthstone Point campground is on Route 9N north of Lake George Village. The campground is 182 miles from Grace Lutheran Church, and will take a minimum of 3 hours 20 minutes to drive there. Plan on more time due to the holiday traffic. Driving directions from Grace Lutheran Church to Hearthstone Point campground.
From the Northway (I-87), take Exit 22 to Route 9N and go north on Route 9N. The Hearthstone Point campground will be in 2 miles on the right. Be sure to go north on Route 9N, and not Route 9. See this map.

We have a reservation under Margaret L.'s name for 5 campsites (#178, #179, #180, #181, #182). Map of campsites. Click on "Map" to the right of "Sites 175-190".
Hearthstone Point campground has 251 tent and trailer sites, hot showers, flush toilets, trailer dump station, recycling center, handicapped accessibility, sand beach, swimming area, gazebo (handicapped accessible). Potable water is available at several locations in the campground, but not at the campsite.
Fee: $18 per night per campsite. Maximum of 6 people, 2 tents, and 2 cars per campsite. Additional vehicles will be charged a daily fee and cannot be parked at the site.
Check in from 12:00 noon to 9:00 p.m. Checkout by 11:00 a.m. Campers must vacate their campsite no later than 11:00 a.m. on the date the camping permit expires.
All campers must wear ID bracelets, provided at registration throughout your stay.
The full names of all members of the camping party must be listed on the camping permit at the time of registration.
No vehicle traffic after midnight.
No visitors allowed.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and are strictly enforced.
Campers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older.
Bring:

reservation printout from Margaret L.
water container to carry water to your campsite for your family's use.

The park was established in May 1927 on 98.6 acres, and is operated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Saturday, May 27

Hike and explore the historic Saratoga battlefield, site of the turning point of the American Revolution. Complete the requirements (hike about 8 miles and answer 48 questions in the trail's questionnaire) of the "Wilkinson National Historic Trail" to earn the medal and patch.
Leave home and drive to the Saratoga National Historical Park in Stillwater, NY. It is 135 miles from Grace Lutheran Church to the Saratoga National Historical Park, and takes a minimum of 3 hours 10 minutes to drive.
For those who camped Friday night at the Hearthstone Point campground, it is 40 miles from the campground to Saratoga National Historical Park and takes about one hour to drive there.

Saratoga National Historical Park

648 Route 32

Directions to Saratoga National Historical Park in Stillwater, NY:

Saratoga NHP is located 40 miles north of Albany and about 15 miles southeast of Saratoga Springs. All signs for the park are brown with white letters and say "Saratoga National Historical Park."
From Albany and points south - get off the Northway (I-87) at Exit 12. Turn right off the exit; you will be on Route 67. After first light and before second light, move into left lane (turning lane). At second light, turn left; you will be on Route 9 going north. Follow the park signs to the Battlefield.
From Montreal and points north - get off the Northway (I-87) at Exit 14 and follow signs for Route 29 East to Schuylerville where the Schuyler House (south end of town) and Saratoga Monument (south part, uphill on Route 338 / Burgoyne Rd.) are located. At "T" intersection with U.S. Route 4, turn right. You will be going south. Eight miles south on Route 4 you will find the main entrance to the Battlefield, on the right side of the road.
Google map of Saratoga National Historical Park, with optional driving directions from your location.

Fee: $5 vehicle fee. "As Scouting is an educational organization, the Saratoga National Historical Park does not charge an admission fee to Scouts attending as a unit and with proper adult leadership."
Bring:

Day pack with the "10 Scout Outdoor Essentials". You may get a map of the Saratoga National Historical Park and the Wilkinson National Historic Trail at the Visitor Center.
Be sure to bring plenty of drinking water. There is no water available along the trail.
Bag lunch and snack. There are no vending machines for either food or drinks in the Park.
Cellular telephone. No public telephones are available at the Park. It is recommended that each unit carry a cellular telephone.
Wear hiking boots.
Wear your official uniform and hiking boots while hiking the "Wilkinson National Historic Trail" and while you are at the Saratoga National Historical Park.

Visitor Center is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

A 20-minute introductory film is shown every half-hour, or on request in the off-season, to orient visitors. Two dioramas also assist in orienting visitors.
A small museum contains artifacts from the time of the battles, including five original cannons from the defeated British army. Thematic seasonal exhibits are also offered throughout the year.
Everyone should get a park and trail map at the Visitor Center.
Boy Scout Trail Questionnaires are available at the Visitor Center.

Wilkinson National Historic Trail

Earn a patch by hiking the main loop of the Wilkinson Trail (approximately 2.5 miles).
Earn a patch and a medal by hiking the main loop of the Wilkinson Trail and the Scout Annex Trail (total of approximately 8 miles and some sections are rough terrain and may be muddy), and complete the Trail Questionnaire (48 questions) with at least 70% accuracy.

Wilkinson Trail description.

Cub Scouts may earn a Trail Pin if they complete the Cub Scout Hike or tour and the trail questionnaire (with at least 70 % accuracy).
"Saratoga Battlefield's hiking trail system features the Wilkinson National Historic Trail, developed and maintained in partnership with the Boy Scouts of America. This 4.2 mile route travels through some of the most significant areas associated with the Battles of Saratoga. Organized Scout groups who have hiked the trail are eligible for the Wilkinson Trail Patch. If they choose to include the Annex Trail (total 8 miles) and complete a prepared questionnaire, the Scouts are also eligible for the Trail Medal. For more information on this program, contact the visitor center." http://www.nps.gov/sara/pphtml/planyourvisit.html

"The Saratoga Monument (located in Victory) is an imposing 155' obelisk begun in 1877 to commemorate the Battles of Saratoga and General Burgoyne's surrender and dedicated in 1912. On each face of the monument there is a niche for the statues of the principal American commanding officers: Horatio Gates, Philip Schuyler, Daniel Morgan and Benedict Arnold. Arnold's niche is empty in testament to his later treachery and exile in England. In 2006 visitor season, tentatively scheduled open Wednesday-Sunday, May 28th - Labor Day, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m." http://www.nps.gov/sara/s-act.htm
All artifacts are protected by laws. It is prohibited to remove artifacts from the Park.
Remove all your trash from the Park.

Eat supper with other troop members.

Possible restaurant:

15 Old Gick Road

$ 3.99 for ages 4-12

Directions

Drive to your campsite at Hearthstone Point campground.

3298 Lakeshore Drive

Directions to Hearthstone Point campground

Directions from the Golden Corral Restaurant in Saratoga Springs to the Hearthstone Point campground in Lake George. It is 28 miles and takes a minimum of 28 minutes.
From the Northway (I-87), take Exit 22 to Route 9N and go north on Route 9N. Be sure to go north on Route 9N, not Route 9. The Hearthstone Point campground will be in 2 miles on the right.

We have a reservation for 5 campsites (#178, #179, #180, #181, #182). Map of campsites. Click on "Map" to the right of "Sites 175-190".
Hearthstone has 251 tent and trailer sites, hot showers, flush toilets, trailer dump station, recycling center, handicapped accessibility, sand beach, swimming area, gazebo (handicapped accessible). Potable water is available at several locations in the campground, but not at the campsite.
Fee: $18 per night per campsite. Maximum of 6 people, 2 tents, and 2 cars per campsite. Additional vehicles will be charged a daily fee and cannot be parked at the site.
Check in from 12:00 noon to 9:00 p.m. Checkout by 11:00 a.m. Campers must vacate their campsite no later than 11:00 a.m. on the date the camping permit expires.
All campers must wear ID bracelets, provided at registration throughout your stay.
The full names of all members of the camping party must be listed on the camping permit at the time of registration.
No vehicle traffic after midnight.
No visitors allowed.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and are strictly enforced.
Campers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older.
Bring:

water container to carry water to your campsite for your family's use.

The park was established in May 1927 on 98.6 acres, and is operated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Sunday, May 28

Visit Fort Ticonderoga National Historic Landmark in Ticonderoga, NY.

30 Fort Ti Road

Drive from the Hearthstone Point campground to Fort Ticonderoga National Historic Landmark. It is 37 miles and takes a minimum of one hour to drive from the campground to Fort Ticonderoga. Google map with driving directions from the campground to Fort Ticonderoga.
Fort Ticonderoga National Historic Landmark is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fees:

$12.00 adults
$10.80 youths 7 to 12 years old
free children under 7 years old
Scout Group Information - We would like to invite you and your scouts to visit us during our 2006 season, which begins Saturday May 10th and continues daily through Sunday October 22nd. Our uniformed guides offer a brief narration and musket demonstrations (weather permitting). Our museum docents explain the museum collections and we can provide Scavenger Hunt worksheets if you wish. Scout admission is $5.40 for ages 7-12, above 12 years of age are $8.00. Scouts under the age of 7 will be admitted free of charge. There must be 10 or more in the group in order to receive this special rate. You will receive a written confirmation of your visit date. Reservation form.

Margaret L. made a 10:00 a.m. group reservation for our troop with Nancy at Fort Ticonderoga. If you are going to arrive later than 10:30 a.m.call (518) 585-2650 to let them know your revised arrival time. When you arrive tell the staff that Boy Scout Troop 174 and you made a reservation. You will be charged the group rate of $5.40 for ages 7-12, above 12 years of age are $8.00. Scouts under the age of 7 will be admitted free of charge. Payment may be by cash, check, or credit card. They prefer one payment for a group to keep the admission ticket line moving.

Fort Ticonderoga's Scavenger Hunt.
Bring a bag lunch and eat in the shaded picnic area. Carry all trash away with you.
Do not climb on the walls or cannons.
Backpacks, food, and drinks are not allowed in the Fort beyond the Log House.
No camera tripods are allowed within the Fort.
The costumed interpreters represent 18th century soldiers and refugee women.
Located on 1,000 acres in New York, the Fort property includes the Carillon Battlefield, earthwork redoubts, and two outer dependencies open to the public, Mount Defiance and Mount Hope. The Fort owns another 1,000 acres in Vermont, including the northern half of Mount Independence, a historic site maintained by the State of Vermont.
OPTIONAL - Crown Point State Historic Site

739 Bridge Road

Long before the Revolution, the British and the French both claimed Crown Point in the struggle for a North American empire. Four failed campaigns to oust the French between 1755 and 1758 were mounted by the British. It was not until 1759, however, that the abandoned French Fort St. Frederic was taken over by the British. The British immediately began construction of "His Majesty's Fort of Crown Point." This extremely ambitious fortification complex contributed to the British conquest of Canada, the last French stronghold, and control of Lake Champlain as a communication highway. In 1775, at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, the rebellious colonists captured the fort and secured sorely needed cannons and heavy ordnance. Crown Point was occupied by General John Burgoyne's army in 1777 after the American evacuation to Mount Independence and remained under British control until the end of the war. The ruins of Fort St. Frederic, "His Majesty's Fort of Crown Point," and surrounding lands were acquired by the State of New York in 1910. Guests can see the ruins of the original 18th-century structures and in the Visitor Center, view exhibits that interpret the French, British, and American chapters of Crown Point's history. Located across the road is the Lake Champlain Visitor Center.
May to October; the Museum is open Wednesday through Monday (inclusive) from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM and the grounds are open until dusk until Columbus Day, otherwise by appointment.
A Visitor Center provides an introduction to the site and its history with exhibits and an audio-visual presentation. There is a self-guided walking tour of the grounds. Group tours are available with advance reservations.
There is a fee charged for admission to the Museum:

Adults - $3.00;
Students (with valid ID) - $2.00;
Children (6-12) $1.00;
Children (5 and under) - free;
group rates available by reservation in advance.
Vehicle Use Fee (weekends and holidays) - $5.00.

Saturday, May 27, 2006 10:00-10:45 live performance by the Fort Ticonderoga Fife and Drum Corps
Saturday, May 27, 2006 - Sunday, May 28, 2006 training encampment weekend for Canadian, French, British, & Provincial soldiers. Unscheduled musket drills, military lessons.
History of Crown Point State Historic Site

Fort St. Frederic was constructed by the French in 1734. They had previously occupied what is now called Chimney Point around 1731. A small wooden stockade fort was built there and was the principle fortification until the completion of Fort St. Frederic. The French occupied the Lake Champlain region north of Crown Point until 1759 when they retreated to the Richelieu River forts in the face of Jeffery, Lord Amherst’s advancing army. The "citadel" at Fort St. Frederic was blown up by the French at this time. Amherst’s army almost immediately began construction of what was to become the largest British fort in America. With the conclusion of the Seven Years War in 1763, the military significance of such a large post diminished. It became a base used primarily for policing the settlements nearby. In fact, one incident found in the Gage papers describes the efforts made at discovering an illegal still near Fort Edward, from which both soldiers and Native Americans obtained alcoholic refreshment and was blamed for the rude handling of nearby settlers.
In 1773 a chimney fire spread out of control, burning down the armory and the roofs of the other barracks, as well as causing the powder magazine to blow up and destroying the wooden parapets. Subsequently, the military occupation was limited to the three outer works, the Grenadier Redoubt (now the site of the Light House/Champlain Memorial), the Light Infantry Redoubt, and Gage’s Redoubt. The remains of the latter two are still evident. Except for a brief time in 1775-76 when the site was under American control, the British Army controlled Crown Point until after the American Revolution. In fact, a British officer notes the visit of George Washington in 1783.
The first parcel of land to come into the possession of New York State in 1910 and was the land upon which the ruins of Fort St. Frederic and His Majesty’s fort at Crown Point lie. The state has since acquired additional land to protect this important site, totaling approximately 360 acres, part of which is used as a public campground.

Some photos and history of Crown Point State Historic Site.
Sunday, May 28, 2006 - Monday, May 29, 2006 Crown Point Memorial Day Weekend activities

Activities

Crown Point, NY - Civil War Encampment, vendors, games and rides throughout the weekend.
Sunday, 28th, 11:00AM Ecumenical Church Service at the bandstand in Veterans Park.
12:30PM to 2:30 a program of magic, clowning, face painting and balloon sculptering.
2:30-9:00PM bands will perform.
9:00PM Fireworks.
Monday: 8:00AM-Noon Solemn Cemetery Tour.
2:00PM Parade.

Cook supper in camp

Contact Mr. Bob A. for details.

Optional - Suggested restaurant for dinner

4 Hill Drive

"Come back home to real good cooking at family prices. Breakfast & dinner. Specialties: real mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, homemade breads, and desserts. Let’s hear what some have had to say about Grandma’s. “It’s one heck of a meal!” “ You come highly recommended!” “Your turkey and dressing is better than my mother’s!” “This was the best meal we had on our vacation!” Take out available. www.lakegeorgeguide.com/DiningGuide.asp

Return to campsite at Hearthstone Point campground. Directions from Grandma's Back Porch Restaurant to the campground. It is 1.5 miles and takes about 1 minute to drive there.

Monday, May 29

Campers must vacate their campsite and checkout no later than 11:00 a.m. on the date the camping permit expires. This is a campground rule.
Lake George activities (miniature golf, laser tag, ice cream, beach, short walks, Six Flags Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom, Waterslide World, arcades, Go-Carts, horse trail ride, other fun).

Fort William Henry Museum

48 Canada Street

Sitting atop a small rise, Fort William Henry commanded the southern end of Lake George November 1755 to August 1757. The Fort’s history is short, but its final tumultuous days have been retold, although inaccurately, in the “Last of the Mohicans” by James Fennimore Cooper.
By 1689, the British and French were the predominate nations in the New World. Wars for land, water passages and trade had been fought between these nations for years on the European continent, spilling over into North America. The final conflict, 1754-1763, is known as the French and Indian War and the Seven Years War.

Directions:

Fort William Henry is located on Route 9 just south of Lake George Village. From Interstate 87, take Exit 21 to Lake George Village. The Fort is located on the north (right) side of the road. Parking is available near the Fort behind JT Kelly’s.
Buses and groups are welcome.
Directions from the Hearthstone Point campground to Fort William Henry Museum. It is 3 miles from the Hearthstone Point campground to Fort William Henry Museum. The travel time depends on vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the Lake George Village. It takes a minimum of 5 minutes to drive there, but will probably take much longer than you think because of congested traffic.

Open daily 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Admission:

$11.95 adult
$ 7.25 children (5-11 years old)
Group rates are available for groups of 15 or more. AAA discount also available.

Tours:

Guided tours are conducted every hour on the hour with the last tour beginning at 5 pm.
Guides are dressed in 18th century military uniform and during the tour will explain the weapons and warfare of the period including conducting a live musket and cannon firing and musket ball molding demonstration.

Museum

The museum contains many artifacts discovered during archeological digs at the site and search of the lake near the fort.
Join the Kings Army as a soldier or Native American Ally. At the end of each tour, children are asked if they wish to Join the Kings Army as a soldier or their ally. “Soldiers” will be given a uniform, “musket” and a chance to drill with the soldiers. After firing the musket, they will be given a certificate signing them up as soldiers and a coin for payment. Those wishing to be a Native American will be given a bow & arrow to test their skill. They will receive a certificate for their services and an arrowhead.

Drive home. Directions from Lake George, NY to Grace Lutheran Church. It is about 180 miles and takes a minimum of 3 hours 15 minutes to drive.

Optional activity

Glen Drive In Theatre, Lake George Road, Glens Falls, NY.

On Route 9 a short distance north of the Northway Plaza Shopping Center. Topo map.
(518) 792-0023

If you have questions contact Mr. Peter H
.

Boy Scout Troop 174, Yorktown, NY. http://troop174.info