acco40 Posted May 19, 2003 Share Posted May 19, 2003 Our troop is going to camp out at Gettysburg late this summer. Any words of wisdom from those who have attended previously? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoutldr Posted May 20, 2003 Share Posted May 20, 2003 We make the trip every winter over the MLK day weekend. We stay in cabins at Camp Hidden Valley, Landisburg, PA, Keystone Area Council. The kids love the camp, and this year, we had snow, although the temp was around 15 degrees, making the battlefield trip a little brisk. We made two trips, one to Gettysburg battlefields and the second day to Roundtop Ski resort. From the camp, it's about a 30 minute drive to either location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acco40 Posted May 21, 2003 Author Share Posted May 21, 2003 We are actually going to camp on the Battlefield. I was told that they only allow Scouts and not the general public to do that. Thanks for the information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eisely Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 One activity to include on your agenda is the "electric map". It sounds really tacky, but it is definitely worthwhile. This is a commericially owned and operated tourist attraction. What they have done is create a relief map of the entire battlefield in a large room. The spectators sit on bleachers elevated above and around the map. They turn the lights down and the map comes alive. They have put little pea lamps in the map showing the ebb and flow of the battle along with narration. It really is informative and unique. You come away with a much deeper understanding of what happened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evmori Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 Ditto to eisley. The electric map is the best way to start at Gettysburg. Also, the tour of Eisenhower's hose is worthwhile. And, in my opinion, the walk accross Picket's Charge is great! Enjoy your trip! I've been there twice with my Troop & we are planning to go back next summer. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoePro Posted May 27, 2003 Share Posted May 27, 2003 Before my troop went to Gettysburg we watched the movie together. It provides great visual memories for the trip. Also, purchase the Gettysburg Historic Trail Guide and have the scouts earn their patches. Details can be found at the following address: http://www.yaac-bsa.org/activities/gettysburg/gettysburg(a).htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acco40 Posted May 27, 2003 Author Share Posted May 27, 2003 Thanks, JoePro. Some good info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA470Firstaider Posted May 31, 2003 Share Posted May 31, 2003 Hey I live in frederick, md near gettysburg any ?'s let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acco40 Posted September 2, 2003 Author Share Posted September 2, 2003 Our troop just returned from Gettysburg on Monday and my thanks to many of the forum posters who gave me ideas and suggestions. Our troop decided to follow the Gettysburg Historic Trails program developed by the York Council. The program was a challenge to complete in two days and an evening but we managed. The boys got a lot out of the program. Thanks again to all who gave advice and I would highly recommend the program to any Scout troop that may be interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nldscout Posted January 8, 2004 Share Posted January 8, 2004 ok, now its my Troops turn. We are going in April during Spring Break. Any Info would be appreciated. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoutingagain Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 We were in Gettysburg the week before ACCO's group last year. As noted in this thread, contact the York Area Council and get information on the Heritage Trails Program. The link is in one of the earlier posts. We had 8 Adults and 11 scouts earn the Gettysburg Heritage Trais Medal. Two of the adults are involved in a Cub Scout Pack and wear their medal on their Cub Leader Uniform. This has precipatated a fair amount of interest in the Pack in the Webelos to cross over to our Troop in the Spring. One additional piece of advice, the York Area Council Info mentions being able to take showers and the local Y. For a few bucks more you can rent the use of the Olympic sized indoor pool they have there. A very nice facility and our group really enjoyed the use of the pool after a day's hiking. They also have an adults only Hot Tub/Whirlpool. SA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted January 14, 2004 Share Posted January 14, 2004 We went two years ago and our scouts loved it. Definitely look into the Gettysburg Historic Trails program. We left on Thursday in order to complete all the different sections of the program. As stated by Acco, it's a very busy two days but both the adults and scouts learned alot. At an impromptu PLC after our meeting Monday, I was soliciting ideas from the boys for future camping. Gettysburg was mentioned as something they would like to do again. But we will hold off until summer in order to properly plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGreyEagle Posted January 14, 2004 Share Posted January 14, 2004 I don't know if this will be considered heresy or not, but when in Gettysburg, you may consider Colonel Pickett's Buffet. It's across the street from the visitor's center. All of the Historic Hikes start and end around the Visitor's Center and a quick stroll across the street and dinner is served. They offer a Scout's group discount and are quite friendly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EagleInKY Posted January 14, 2004 Share Posted January 14, 2004 Haven't take the troop there yet, but my family went last fall. All good suggestions here. Rent a good Gettysburg movie before you go, show it to the troop. It's an interesting battle with many amazing stories. It will help them understand what happened. If you've got a history buff in the troop, have them along as your own personal tour guide. The ghost stories are fun, the kids would enjoy it. You can hire a story teller for your group. Not sure how much it would cost, but it could be fun. The other alternative, if you've got a good story teller in your group, is to buy one of the many ghost stories of Gettysburg books and pick some good ones to tell. Take the tour of Eisenhower's house. It's preserved in 1960's/70's decor, the way it was left when Mamie went to the hospital. Also, I think on Friday's the tour guide is the President & Mrs. Eisenhower's personal physician. He did a great job and told the story from the heart. Much better than your average tour guide. Check with the visitor's center, I think he's there every Friday. Good luck. Let us know how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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