Camping in the snow

WEST MILFORD — Braving sub-zero cold, biting wind and six inches of snow, scouts and adult leaders from Boy Scout Troop 146 of Hewitt camped out at Bullowa Boy Scout Camp in Stony Point, New York, the weekend of Feb. 20 to 22. Scouts and leaders dug out tent sites from the already 24 inches of snow on the ground, set up a kitchen area and got down to the survival skills necessary in this type of camping.

This trip is an annual event for the troop and pits the scouts and leaders against some serious winter weather. Previous winter camping has been held at Floodwood High Adventure Camp in the high peaks area of the Adirondacks and at Camp Lewis in Rockaway. Special gear, including sleeping bags designed for sub-zero temperatures, thermal barrier layers of clothing, inner and outer layers of waterproof and windproof clothing, gloves and balaclava hats and face shields are necessary to survive in these extreme conditions and the scouts are taught what they need and how to use it prior to being cleared for this trip.

A great time was had by everyone, proving that, if prepared, extreme cold weather can be fun.

Any boys interested in joining Troop 146 are invited to check them out on their website, www.troop-146.org, or stop by the Upper Greenwood Lake Clubhouse any Monday evening that school is in session in Upper Greenwood Lake. Meetings begin at 7:30 p.m.