Hiking trail patches (multi parts)

[dcb]

Hello,

I'm looking to find different hiking patches for scouts and their requirements. Any info you have is great (requirements, where the patches can be purchased, etc). 

Such as the Gettysburg 5 part patch requires a visit to the visitors center and the Eisenhower farm. Then hike the Johnny Reb, Billy Yank and historic Gettysburg trails.  Available from the cradle of liberty council. 

I've also found that there is one for the C&O

Just wondering how many others are out there that I've missed. Might help the scouts planning trips they'd like to do. 

[John-in-KC]

Welcome, @dcb

Mod note...moving this to the patch trading/collecting forum. 

Edited August 27, 2019 by John-in-KC

[qwazse]

Not sure what it actually is (plaque, patch, handshake) but the Keystone Trails Association has several awards for PA hikers https://www.kta-hike.org/hiking-awards.html

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's actually tried this.

[mrkstvns]

In the past, BSA had an excellent program that encouraged councils to establish historic trails in their own councils.  Sadly, that's gone by the wayside and most of the historic trails that I've heard about were established long ago and many are no longer promoted or no longer have patches and medals available from their local councils. It's only been within the past year or so that BSA put the list of trails back on their website (it had disappeared for much too long).

The list is here:
https://tap.scouting.org/historic-trails/

Note that some of the trails that have no link in the list *do* in fact have websites and are in fact still supported by their councils. Here in Texas, I know this to be the case with the Fort McKavett, Fort Concho and Fort Stockton trails. (If you hike these and are after the patches, call the local scout center before you do the hike because I got the impression supplies were limited for some historic trails).  Info is here:  
https://www.westtexasscoutinghistory.net/historicaltrails.html

Also, some of the most interesting trails don't seem to be on the list, for whatever reason.  Last year, my son and I visited Vicksburg National Battlefield in Mississippi and we found 2 excellent trails that took most of a day (each) to explore --- one was 12 miles, the other 14 miles (there's another 7-mile hike we didn't do). Info is on the National Park Service website:
https://www.nps.gov/vick/planyourvisit/hiking-walking.htm 

 

[Laxplr21]

If you are going to be around the Boston area, take a look at these hiking trails and patches you can still earn today.  Boston, MA including the Freedom trail.  All of these trails have patches and medallions that can be purchased and worn.

http://www.witchtrail.com/wtctrails.htm

 

The Bedford Flag trail is administered by a different location.  Their link is below.

https://troop194bedford.wordpress.com/bedford-flag-trail/

 

[sri_oa161]

While there are a lot of trails still out there, many councils no longer provide patches/medals for them (cost cutting).

Used to be that councils promoted any trails in their area, but don't see much of that now.

[gblotter]

The San Francisco Bay Area Council offers an excellent hiking program (with very cool progressive patches to go along with it). Our troop completed all six hikes over the course of about 18 months.

More info: http://www.sfbac.org/programs/hiking

The purpose of the RIM OF THE BAY patch program is to encourage hiking and to bring into the lives of our Scouts a "mountain top" experience. There are six Mountains that surround our area that you hike up. When you finish the first mountain you get a patch and a "rocker" with the name of the mountain. Rockers are awarded for each additional hike completed. All of these trips can be accomplished in a single day. There are camping sites at or near most if your plans include an overnight camp experience. For Boy Scouts,this activity can contribute to the Tenderfoot Rank, the Backpacking, Camping, and Hiking Merit Badges; and Forester, Geologist, Outdoorsman, and Traveler for Webelos. These hikes are not approved for Cub Scout use.
Secure (where available) the park folder which shows trails and also gives a short history of the area. For example, the Mt. Diablo folder states, "From here, you can see parts of 35 of California's 58 counties -- the view is unsurpassed except by that from 19,000-foot Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa." The park folder also includes natural history and a listing of mammals, reptiles, and plant life. Try to make your trip a "hike with a purpose" other than the earning of the patch.

Please instruct your Scouts on the need to observe and obey the regulations that are in effect in National, State, and Regional Parks. On some trips you will be given the courtesy of passing across private property. Please repay these people's trust by keeping the area free of litter, respecting their property, and leaving the gates as you find them. Clean up and pack out any litter you may come upon. Perpetuate the good turn ideal. You will probably eat your lunch at or near the summit; be sure all bags, cans, etc., are packed out with you.

Where it is necessary to cross highways, have your Scouts line up along the side of the road and when clear and upon signal, have the entire line cross at one time. Avoid stragglers or having individuals or small groups crossing at intervals.

If everyone helps keep the record of Scouts' use a superior one, this will be a happy and satisfactory experience, and it remains that way for all Scouts who follow.

Edited September 5, 2019 by gblotter

[Ojoman]

The Longhouse Council, William Hillcourt Museum is about to launch a new Historic Trail, The Erie Canal Trail. The kick off celebration will be done at the Erie Canal Museum on June 18. A patch, hiking staff medallion and historic trail medal will be available. The patch and medallion can be purchased by anyone but the medal has requirements to earn by any youth ages 10 to 18. 

Requirements are: 

Erie Canal Historic Trail Medal, Patch and Hiking Medallion

 Purpose of this award is to raise awareness of our local history and the role that the Erie Canal played, not only in New York economy but in the Nation’s History.

 Planning your adventure: The New York State Canal System offers some highly helpful guides to assist your unit or group in planning your adventure at canals.ny.gov. A free Canalway Water Trail Guidebook and Map Set can be ordered or downloaded at eriecanalway.org/watertrail.

 Camping along the Erie Canal System: Information is available at https://www.canals.ny.gov/trails/camping.html

 Requirements: for the Erie Canal Trail Medal: The patch and hiking medallion are available as souvenir purchases.

 1: With your Troop or Patrol, plan to traverse at least 15 miles of the Erie Canal either by hiking, by bike, by boat, canoe or Kayak or a combination of each mode of transport. Keep a record of historic markers and locks that you pass.

 2: Visit or pass through at least one lock. Learn about the present day traffic on the canal. Satisfy your leader that you understand how a lock works and why they were important.

 3: Visit/tour the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse or one or more of the many historic canal sites in the state.

 4: Visit the Salt Museum in Syracuse either in person or virtually (https://video.wcny.org/video/insight-insight-012717/) at Onondaga Lake Park and learn how the Canal was important to the salt industry in Syracuse.

 5: Discuss with your adult leader or partner the transformative effects of the Erie Canal on the past, present, and future of our country. If you are part of a group working on this award this may be a group discussion.

 6: Write a report of no less than 200 words to explain what you learned about the canal and its historical importance as well as present day uses. Submit it to your unit leader for review.

 7: It will be up to your unit leader to decide if you have met all of the requirements for this award.

 A Historic Trails Medal will be awarded for completion of the above requirements and the completion of at least a 10 mile distance along the canal.  There is no time limit or minimum # of hikes to reach 10 miles.

 Applicants for these awards must be at least 10 years of age or in the 5^th grade and not older than 18.

 Hikes along the canal trail can be applied to the hiking merit badge and towards the completion of either the Historic Trails or 50 Miler Awards.

 This Trail award is available to groups outside of the BSA and who must meet all of the same criteria assigned to BSA members and are subject to the approval of the William Hillcourt Museum Committee.

 This program is an extension of the William Hillcourt Museum and the Longhouse Council BSA as a part of Central New York history within the service area of the Longhouse Council, BSA. Hiking, boating or cycling any part of the Canal Trail in or outside of the Council Service area will qualify for earning the award.

 A Hiking Staff Medallion will be available for purchase to both youth and adult members and the public. There are no requirements to purchase the Historic Trails Hiking Medallion or patch, only for the medal.

 Significance of the medal: Mule & Driver Statue - Erie Canal Museum - Syracuse, NY

This bronze, life-size sculpture was created by artist Tom Tischler (1990) and commissioned by the Erie Canal Museum. It stands on Erie Blvd at the site of the original towpath across from the 1850 Weighlock building. The statue is a memorial to the young boys (mule drivers) and mules who made travel on the Erie Canal possible. Mules and hoggees worked on the canal pulling canal boats along the waterway in six hour shifts around the clock, seven days a week. The Erie Canal Museum is located at 318 Erie Blvd East in Syracuse, NY. Mr. Tischler is an Eagle Scout.

 15 miles to hike was chosen as it aligns with the Erie Canal Song and also with the Erie Canalway Challenge: Chec it out at: https://eriecanalway.org/explore/challenge.

[InquisitiveScouter]

12 hours ago, Ojoman said:

A Historic Trails Medal will be awarded for completion of the above requirements and the completion of at least a 10 mile distance along the canal.  There is no time limit or minimum # of hikes to reach 10 miles.

Is the "Historic Trails Medal" something different than the "Erie Canal Trail Medal"??

[Ojoman]

4 hours ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

Is the "Historic Trails Medal" something different than the "Erie Canal Trail Medal"??

Same thing... 

[InquisitiveScouter]

5 minutes ago, Ojoman said:

Same thing... 

OK, if you are involved with this, recommend:

1.  address discrepancy between rquirement #1 (15 miles), and the statement at the end requiring only 10 miles.

2. be consistent in naming convention...use the name "Erie Canal Trail Medal" (ECTM) throughout.  Avoid "Historic Trail Medal" references, as this could be confused with the BSA Historic Trails Award https://www.scouting.org/awards/awards-central/historic-trails/ (which the ECTM could be used to obtain)

Best wishes

[Ojoman]

3 minutes ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

OK, if you are involved with this, recommend:

1.  address discrepancy between rquirement #1 (15 miles), and the statement at the end requiring only 10 miles.

2. be consistent in naming convention...use the name "Erie Canal Trail Medal" (ECTM) throughout.  Avoid "Historic Trail Medal" references, as this could be confused with the BSA Historic Trails Award https://www.scouting.org/awards/awards-central/historic-trails/ (which the ECTM could be used to obtain)

Best wishes

Good points... getting the kinks ironed out prior to the kickoff... Thanks