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Massawepie October Odyssey Program Guide

October 8th - 11th, 2021 Massawepie October Odyssey

Introduction

The is a 6 million acre national treasure, with many natural and historic wonders to explore. At the Massawepie October Odyssey, take on the challenge to experience as much as possible in a Park-wide scavenger hunt! Using Massawepie’s Camp Pioneer as a base, Scouts have the opportunity to complete over one hundred of activities and challenges spread throughout Camp Mountaineer and Pioneer, the Massawepie property, and the Adirondack Park. Each Troop will be challenged to go above and beyond to create their own ultimate Adirondack experience and take home the title of champions!

Contacts/Links To register: https://scoutingevent.com/397-moc1021

For help with registration: Seneca Waterways Camping Department (585) 241-8545 [email protected]

For program/facilities questions: Ben Geiger, Massawepie Property Superintendent (518) 359-3900 [email protected]

Massawepie Scout Camps on Facebook

Massawepie Outdoor Challenges on Facebook

Want more Massawepie? Check out the Massawepie Arctic Challenge (Martin Luther King Weekend) or Summer camp at Camp Pioneer in 2022 Massawepie October Odyssey

General Information

Schedule

Friday Evening Check-in (Maintenance Shop), campsite setup

Saturday Morning, Troops complete in-camp and out-of-camp Afternoon challenges

Saturday, 5:30-7pm Dinner (Pioneer Dining Hall)

Saturday, 7pm Odyssey Campfire (Pioneer Campfire Circle)

Sunday, 8:30-10am Breakfast (Pioneer Dining Hall)

Sunday Morning, Troops complete in-camp and out-of-camp Afternoon challenges

Sunday, 3:30-4pm Troop point total turn-in due to Staff (Pioneer Dining Hall)

Sunday, 4pm Awards Presentation (Pioneer Dining Hall)

Monday Check-out, departure

Notes Troops will be responsible for all their own meals except for Saturday & Sunday Dinner.

A specific schedule of staffed in-camp challenges will be available at the event.

In case of emergency… Call the Massawepie Ranger at (518) 359-3900 Alternate contact: (585) 355-8947

Staff is available at the Pioneer Dining Hall all day, and at the Massawepie Health Lodge overnight Massawepie October Odyssey

Camping Information Campsites in Camp Pioneer will be assigned prior to the event at the discretion of the Property Superintendent. Troops must bring their own tents. If planning to camp off of the Massawepie property, please note the maximum group sizes listed in the hiking information.

Recommended Packing List ❏ Sleeping bag ❏ Change of clothes ❏ Warm clothing: jacket, hat, long underwear, light gloves (nights can be in the 30s) ❏ Rain gear ❏ Towel ❏ Mess kit & utensils in addition to troop cooking equipment ❏ Water bottle (full) ❏ Pocketknife ❏ Flashlight ❏ Necessary toiletries ❏ Tarp ❏ Tent ❏ A sense of adventure Massawepie October Odyssey Out of Camp Challenges

The following are challenges to be completed out of camp. Do as many or little as you’d like! Please be sure to record when your troop has completed each taskand take lots of photos! Upload to the Massawepie Facebook page with the #MSCOO. Be safe, have fun, and bring back your stories! Final points will be tallied at 4:00pm on Sunday.

❏ Visit the Wild Center in Tupper Lake. (10 pts) ❏ Visit a lake that a Pioneer campsite is named after. (3 pts awarded for each) ❏ Eat at or get take-out from a local restaurant. (5 pts) ❏ Camp outside of Massawepie. (40 pts) ❏ Complete the Tupper Triad. (25 pts) ❏ Complete one of the Saranac 6er mountains. (15 pts) ❏ Take a group photo in front of a dam. (5 pts) ❏ Visit the Olympic Museum. (10 pts) ❏ Visit the ghost town of Tahawus. (15 pts) ❏ Take a group photo in front of another scout camp’s sign. (15 pts) ❏ Take a group photo in front of the sign of a college campus in the park. (10 pts) ❏ Visit one of the historic Adirondack Great Camps (take a picture). (10 pts) ❏ See an Adirondack waterfall (can count up to three; 5 points each, or 10 points if more than 1 mile hike each way). ❏ Buy an ADK bumper sticker. (2 pts) ❏ See the Hudson River. (5 pts) ❏ Visit five Adirondack town halls. (10 pts) ❏ Visit an historic train station. (5 pts) ❏ Play a round of miniature golf. (5 pts) ❏ Sign in and out at a NYS DEC trail register. (2 pts) ❏ Climb an Adirondack fire tower. (10 points) ❏ Light and cook on a lightweight stove. (5 pts) ❏ Treat and purify water from a reliable water source. (5 pts) ❏ Send an Adirondack-themed postcard (10pts) ❏ Climb a mountain outside of the Tupper Triad or Saranac 6er. (10pts) ❏ Collect a handful of sand from the Long Lake Beach. (20 pts)

**List may be subject to change up until the day of the event** Massawepie October Odyssey Out of Camp Challenge B Be sure to upload to the Massawepie Facebook page with the #MOCOO.

❏ Visit the Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage in Saranac Lake. (5 pts) ❏ Find a hiking cairn. (5 pts) ❏ Get an ice cream cone. (3 pts) ❏ Sleep in a lean-to. (10 pts) ❏ Find the geocache at John Brown’s Farm . (10 pts) ❏ Hike at least five miles of the Cranberry 50. (15pts) ❏ Find where Teddy Roosevelt stopped on his way to take the oath of office. (3 pts) ❏ Find the torch from the 1980 Olympics. (3pts) ❏ Hike to the Great Camp Santanoni. (20 pts) ❏ Find our state’s gemstone at Garnet Mines. (8 pts) ❏ Get a business card from an ADK business that’s not a restaurant. (2 pts) ❏ Visit the ADK room at the Goff-Nelson Library in Tupper Lake. (8 pts) ❏ Take a photo in front of a sign. (5 pts) ❏ Find an ADK Easement that’s not located at Massawepie. (4 pts) ❏ Find the grave of ADK hermit Noah John Rondeau in North Elba. (8 pts) ❏ Collect a cup of water from Raquette Pond. (5 pts) ❏ Find Addison Child’s cabin located on Bancroft Rd in Childwold. (3 pts) ❏ Bring a pamphlet back from the Adirondack Observatory. (3 pts) ❏ Get a milk card from a Stewart's gas station. (2 pts) ❏ See all three Saranac lakes. (8 pts) ❏ Use a thunder box or latrine on the trail. (2pts) [DO NOT PHOTOGRAPH!] ❏ Find John Brown’s statue. (5 pts) ❏ Visit the ADK Experience in Lake (15 pts)

**List may be subject to change up until the day of the event** Massawepie October Odyssey In-Camp Challenges

Complete any of the following challenges. Points will be awarded for each challenge that you complete as a troop. Please be sure to record when you completed each task. Also be sure to take photos! Upload to the Massawepie Facebook page with the #MSCOO. Be safe, have fun, and bring back your stories!

❏ See + take a picture in front of Tree of Girth. (10 pts) ❏ Stay at a Massawepie outpost site. (20 pts) ❏ Catch a fish on property. Please review NYS Fishing Regulations, including special Massawepie Easement regulations (10 pts - 10 bonus pts for the biggest fish all weekend) ❏ See 8 of the 9 named ponds/Lakes at Massawepie. (25 pts) ❏ Find the geological benchmark at Highview. (10 pts) ❏ Visit all four camps. (20 pts) ❏ Find two climbing/rappelling towers (Pioneer not included). (10 pts) ❏ Find the old chapel on Catamount Pond (5 pts) ❏ Find all three lean-tos on property. (10 pts) ❏ Find out an interesting fact about Massawepie nature from a staff member (5 pts) ❏ See at least one beaver dam. (5 pts) ❏ Find the major inlet of Massawepie Lake. (2 pts) ❏ Find the lake’s outlet. (5 pts) ❏ Find and hike along the Carriage Road. (5 pts) ❏ Log seven miles on Massawepie trails. (20 pts) ❏ Hike the Massawepie esker. (5 pts) ❏ Set up a bear bag. (5 pts) ❏ Find & identify at least 10 different types of plants. (Record where and what they were). (15 pts) ❏ Find the foundation or remains of a building from the Hotel Childwold. (5 pts) ❏ See the campfire circle of each camp. (Forester, Mountaineer, Voyageur, Pioneer). (15 pts) ❏ Grab an endangered species pamphlet from the Welcome Center (2 pts) ❏ Take a picture of the camp’s mailbox (10 pts) ❏ Walk the deck of the bog. (5 pts) ❏ Find the pitcher plants at the bog - don’t disturb it! (5 pts) ❏ Eat a meal at an outpost. (5 pts) ❏ Find the remnants of the log cabin at Blueberry Marsh. (5pts) ❏ Find your troop’s plaque at Mountaineer. (5 pts) ❏ Hike a canoe carry in its entirety (Blue marked trails). (5 pts) ❏ Find a person who was a camper or staff member at Massawepie in each decade since its founding: 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s (2pts per decade), 90’s, 00’s, 10’s, and 20’s (1 pt per decade) ❏ Find an outpost on each lake and pond on the property (except Round, Catamount, and Lost ponds - 6 in total) (20 pts).

**List may be subject to change up until the day of the event** Massawepie October Odyssey In-Camp Challenges

❏ See a loon at camp. (5 pts) ❏ Find a section of camp that has been logged. (5 pts) ❏ Hike to a pond that is unnamed on the property map. (8 pts) ❏ Come up with an interesting name for it (10 bonus points to the best name) ❏ Talk to the Massawepie Program Director about joining the summer camp staff .(10 pts) ❏ See the floating bogs at Long Pond. (5 pts) ❏ Collect a doodle from a summer camp staff member. (5 pts) ❏ Collect 20 pieces of litter from around camp. (1 pt per piece of litter) ❏ A stick longer than the shortest member of your team is tall. (3 pts). ❏ A note signed by an Eagle Scout who is not a member of your troop. (4 pts) ❏ Have Ben Geiger, the camp ranger write down a fun fact about Massawepie. (2 pts) ❏ Hike to Pontiac Point. (5 pts) ❏ Take a picture of an easement sign (1 pt) ❏ Find the dust bowl at Camp Mountaineer. (2 pts) ❏ Find a Beaver Dam ❏ Find Dead Creek (Can be accessed from Carriage rd - by hiking). (8 pts) ❏ Make a hand drawn map of the Massawepie Property. (2 pts; 5 bonus pts to best map) ❏ Find someone who was a staff member at Camp Mountaineer (10 pts) ❏ Find two people who were CITs at Massawepie (3 pts) ❏ Record an interesting fact about Massawepie history from a staff member (5 pts) ❏ Get a straw from the kitchen crew. (1 pt) ❏ Get a nail from the Massawepie shop or a ranger (2 pts) ❏ Bring a bottle of water from Lost pond. (2 pts) ❏ Take a picture of every outpost site you visit. (3 pts for each) ❏ Gather wood for the campfire and bring to the Pioneer campfire circle. (5 pts) ❏ Attend the Odyssey campfire (5 pts) ❏ Perform a song or skit at the Odyssey’s campfire. (25 pts)

**The following are staffed events, times and locations will be announced upon arrival** ❏ Show your first aid skills! Find Sean at the Health lodge to practice several scenarios. (10 pts) ❏ How fast can you climb? Stop by climbing wall to see how long it’ll take you? (15pts) ❏ Want to know more about Massawepie? Stop by the MSC museum! (10 pts) ❏ Compete in the Massawepie Lumberjack Games, (15 pts) ❏ Play on the Pioneer Disc Golf Course. (10 pts; 10 bonus pts to the best score) ❏ Canoe carry rally! (15 pts) ❏ Visit the Outdoor Challenges Trading Post. (10 points) ❏ Complete a service project at Massawepie approved and directed by camp ranger. (15 pts-1 hour/25 pts-2 hours/ 35 pts-3 hours) ❏ Test your map skills! Play a compass/orienteering game. (8 pts) ❏ Compete in the Team Shoot at the Pioneer Shotgun Range (15 points - 10 bonus points to winner)

**List may be subject to change up until the day of the event** Massawepie October Odyssey Hiking Information

The Adirondacks feature some of the most scenic hikes in the country. With six million acres of land, there are many peaks to choose from. Which will you conquer?

A Note On The High Peaks… The Eastern High Peaks Wilderness, and the Dix Mountains are the most heavily used backcountry area in the Adirondack Forest Preserve, especially on a holiday weekend. There is significant congestion and few opportunities for solitude. Trailhead parking lots and interior campsites reach capacity on many weekends throughout the hiking season.The large number of visitors has resulted in trail erosion and damage to vegetation in heavily used areas. Many nearby areas continue to see relatively light use, less trail damage and improved opportunities for solitude. Other Adirondack hikes provide a hiking experience similar to a High Peaks hike, including great scenic views, but with fewer visitors. The Odyssey staff do not encourage Troops to hike the High Peaks this weekend. Check out some of the other hikes around the Adirondacks! The Tupper Triad In 2015, a new hiking challenge called the Tupper Lake Triad was launched in the Tupper Lake Region of the Adirondacks. The three family-friendly mountains boast outstanding views of the surrounding mountains and lakes from their summits, which are reached via well-maintained and well-marked state Department of Environmental Conservation trails. After successfully hiking all three peaks, register on the official Triad Roster and receive a patch -- and bragging rights, of course. The Tupper Triad consists of , Coney Mountain, and Goodman Mountain. More info: https://www.tupperlake.com/recreation/tupper-lake-triad The Saranac 6er The 6ers are a great introduction to hiking in the Adirondacks. Along the way you’ll find rewards aplenty: Gently rolling terrain, bird-filled wetlands, towering pine forests, and steep, challenging ascents that lead to outstanding views of mountains and water. Not all 6ers are created equal, which can make it difficult to know where to begin. Start by downloading the Saranac Lake 6er map, then try Mount Baker or St. Regis Mountain — they’re the easiest of the bunch and particularly good for people hiking with kids. Work your way up to the more difficult climbs, where higher elevations reward hikers with more expansive views. Once you’ve completed all six, you’ve earned bragging rights — and a 6er patch! The 6er consists of Baker, St.Regis, Scarface, Ampersand, Haystack, and McKenzie.

More info: https://www.saranaclake.com/activities/outdoor/saranac-lake-6 Massawepie October Odyssey Hiking Information

Other Great Adirondack Hikes The DEC recommends the following hikes outside of the busiest portions of the High Peaks that give hikers a similar Adirondack experience, including great viewse. Try one of them out! All coordinates are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.

Baxter Mountain: This trail in the Hammond Pond Wild Forest ascends 1.0 mile and 725 feet from the trailhead on the State Route 9N to the 2,400-foot summit with 360 degree views which includes the Sentinel Range, , Giant Mountain, the Dix Mountains, eastern High Peaks, and nearby Giant Mountain. Trailhead Coordinates: 44.2205°N, 73.7492°W

Owl’s Head Lookout: The North Trail in the Giant Mountain Wilderness ascends 2.5 miles and 1,110 feet from the trailhead on State Route 9N to a 0.1-mile spur trail that ascends 150 feet to the 2,530 feet lookout point. The lookout provides scenic views of Hurricane Mountain, the Boquet River Valley, Lake Champlain and the surrounding valley, the Green Mountains of and nearby Giant Mountain. Trailhead Coordinates: 44.2119°N, 73.6788°W

The Crows: This trail in the Hurricane Mountain Wilderness ascends 0.9 mile and 845 feet and 0.9 mile from the Hurricane Road Trailhead to the 2,535-foot summit of Little Crow Mountain. The summit of 2,815- foot summit of Big Crow Mountain is located 0.6 mile and 280 feet further up the trail. There are numerous scenic views from ledges along the way and the summit. Hikers can descend 0.5 mile from Big Crow Mountain to the Crow’s Clearing Trailhead to a vehicle or hike O’Toole Road and Hurricane Mountain Road for a 3.5 mile loop hike back to that trailhead. Trailhead Coordinates: (Hurricane Road: 44.2583°N, 73.7529°W) (Crow’s Clearing: 44.2609°N, 73.7330°W) Massawepie October Odyssey Hiking Information

Other Great Adirondack Hikes

Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain: The Observer’s Trail in the Taylor Pond Wild Forest ascends 1.9 miles and 1,280 feet from the trailhead off State Route 9 to the 2,162-foot summit with 360 degree views and a fire tower. Views from the summit include the Lake Champlain, the Green Mountains of Vermont, and much of the northeastern Adirondacks. The trailhead is just 5 miles south of Exit 33 of the Northway (I-87). Trailhead Coordinates: 44.4019°N, 73.5029°W

Catamount Mountain: This trail in the Taylor Pond Wild Forest ascends 1.8 miles and 1,540 feet from the trailhead on Forestdale Road to 3,168 feet bedrock summit. The hike includes one steep and exposed scramble. The view from summit includes Taylor Pond, Silver Lake, Union Falls Pond, the Wilmington Range, the Stephenson Range and . Trailhead Coordinates: 44.4431°N, 73.8799°W

Silver Lake Mountain: This trail in the Taylor Pond Wild Forest ascends 0.9 mile and 900 feet from the trailhead on the Silver Lake Road. The summit offers views of Silver Lake, McKenzie Mountain, Moose Mountain, Taylor Pond, Catamount Mountain, Whiteface Mountain and the Wilmington Range. Trailhead Coordinates: 44.5110°N, 73.8483°W

Bear Den Mountain: This trail in the Whiteface Mountain Intensive Use Area ascends 1.6 miles and 1,160 feet from a trailhead near the parking area for Kid Campus of the Whiteface Mountain Ski Area to the 2,400- foot summit of Bear Den Mountain. The trail is part of the Flume Trail Network and is open to the public for day use free of charge. Bikes are allowed on the first 0.4 mile of the trail. The summit provides views of the West Branch Ausable River Valley, the Sentinel Range and the Stephenson Range. Parking at Kids Campus is free. Overnight parking is prohibited. Trailhead Coordinates: 44.3595°N, 73.8576°W