Horseshoe Bend Eagle Project



Troop 26 Scout Owen S. chose a project at one of the troop’s favorite camping spots – Horseshoe Bend on the Manzana River. It’s a popular camping spot, and a toilet would really improve the area for both the sheer luxury of it, but also since not all campers practice ‘leave no trace’ in certain outdoor activities.

digging

A reconnaissance crew went out the week before to drop off supplies about a mile downstream, driving in on a private road, whose owners kindly allowed the drop-off. On the big weekend, we hiked in, carrying camping gear, plus some tools, to Horseshoe Bend. The taskmaster set us right to work, and we worked hard hoping Owen would give us some time off later in the day to cool off in the river. The project consisted of digging a deep pit and anchoring the toilet over it, constructing a decorative privacy screen, and installing a sign indicating the direction to the toilet.


Some thoughts of the weekend shared by participants::

  • Stop whining and keep carrying that lumber, I’m sure the site is just around the next turn.
  • It was stupid hot out when we did the project, so going in the river after it was done was great.
  • I never knew such a small fish could bite.
  • Carrying “the spoon” to camp was an adventure. (Note: The Spoon is a 10 foot long digging tool)
  • The afternoon swim, and Mr. Schott’s food made for a great weekend!
  • Installing this backcountry toilet was a crappy job but someone needed to do it.

It was a great improvement to a favorite site – and hopefully we’ll be back there soon!! It was also gratifying to see how everyone, even non-Scouts, practiced the Scout Law ‘helpful’. Everyone who participated in the project: Mr. Beckstrand, Mr. Schott, Mr. Bohley, and Mr. Weakliem, Cooper B., Owen S., Nathaniel S., Logan B., and Jonathan W. plus the folks who live out there and saved us from carrying all the supplies and wood for 5 miles, the people who donated their old deck to be repurposed into the project, the Los Padres Forest Association, and to Channel City Lumber, who helped Owen pick out needed hardware and wood, and then donated it!


Don’t Stop Here

More To Explore

Hypothermia | The Voice of Experience (February 2025)

Hypothermia This problem occurs when weather conditions are such that body heat is lost more rapidly than it can be produced. Body temperature falls first in the extremities, then in the central & “core areas” when irreversible changes due to

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA – Saturday, December 12, 2024 This annual celebration, Wreaths Across America started in 1992 when someone in Maine took the time to place a wreath on the grave of a fallen veteran. For several years a small

FOT26 End of Year Newsletter | 2024

Scoutmaster Minute Hello friends of Troop 26, We have had a year full of great outdoor adventures and public service! Read Full Article Our Scouts plan the event calendar 12-18 months in advance. With the help of our uniformed Scoutmasters

Big Sur Backpacking 2024

Silver Peak Wilderness Troop 26 did a 5 day 4 night backpacking trip! View Interactive Map Day 1 | Spruce Creek Day 2 | Lion Den Camp Day 3 | Lion Den Camp Day 4 | Buckeye Camp Day 5

COURT OF HONOR

COURT OF HONOR, DECEMBER 10, 2024 The 50-star American flag was officially adopted on July 4, 1960, and was first raised over Fort McHenry National Historic Site. At the Court of Honor Tuesday night, we recognized the 65-year history of Troop