Camping – Antietam

Join Pack 802 for a beautiful fall weekend in Western Maryland as we explore the American Civil War battlefield at Antietam.  Antietam is the site of the bloodiest one day battle in American history where 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862 (source: NPS).

Our scouts will have an opportunity to learn more about this historic event while camping within the national park at Rohrbach group campground.  During this event, the pack will hike within the battlefield and explore key locations including Dunker Church, Burnside Bridge, the National Cemetery, and the Antietam Visitors Center.  Scouts that participate in the hike will be eligible to earn the Antietam Battlefield Historic Trail Patch.

If you are new to camping, check out our camping 101 post for frequently asked questions about pack overnighters.  Pack members will have the option of camping for either one or two nights between Friday and Sunday.  Cost for scouts and youth under seven is $5.00 per night.  Cost for adults and youth seven and up is $10.00/night.  There is also a $10.00 fee per vehicle charged by the National Park Service to enter the park; however, the Pack will pay for/reimburse up to one vehicle fee for each family attending.  Note: Families of fourth graders that have signed up for the NPS Every Kid in a Park program are able to enter the park at no cost.

Additional information about the Antietam Heritage Trail is located in the trail guide linked here:  Antietam Trail Guide

Draft Agenda

Friday

1200 – 1330 – Arrive at Rohrbach campground and setup camp (sites 8, 10.  See Rohrbach map below)

1330 – 1400 – Adults shuttle vehicles to visitor’s center and return to camp

1400 -1630 – Hiking group departs Rohrbach campground on foot to complete first portion of Antietam Heritage Trail (number 1-8 on map).  Finish at visitor center.  Approximately 4 miles

1700 Friday – Group returns to Rohrbach campground in pre-positioned vehicles from visitor center

1730 – 1900 – Prepare and eat dinner (Opportunity for Den time).

1900 – 1930 – Cleanup

1930 Friday – Campfire

Saturday

0700 – 0800 Saturday – Prepare and eat breakfast

0800 – 0830 Saturday – Cleanup

0900 – Group departs Rohrback campground in vehicle and drives to visitor center

0930-1030 – Group visits visitor center and views film

1030 – 1230 Hiking group begins second portion of Antietam Heritage Trail (number 9 – 12 on map).  Finish at Rohrbach campground.  Approximately 4 miles

1230 – 1330 Prepare and eat lunch

1330 – 1400 – Cleanup

1400- 1700 – Afternoon activities at campsite

• Castle Siege (Catapult)
• Orientation in a Box/Map and compass scavenger hunt
• Ga Ga Ball

1700 – 1830 – Prepare and eat dinner (Opportunity for Den time)

1830 – 1900 – Cleanup

1900 – Campfire, Flag Retirement Ceremony, and Den Skits/Campfire Programs

Key points of interest for the Heritage Trail are located in a custom Google Map at the link below.  You can toggle on and off each layer to see each hiking segment more clearly:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1PftXu4MSmz29DJQAb_XbJc_weNw&usp=sharing

Sign Up Below: