Troop 97 - High Adventure

The Troop's high adventure program traces it roots back to the Pack 97 hiking program. Each month the pack would venture out on a hike designed for cub scouts, their parents and siblings. The pack would explore state and local parks in the Piedmont of North Carolina. As the cubs hiked around the state, they would be awarded with a commemorative patch at 10 miles, then a hiking stick after 20 miles. With each additional 10 miles hiked, the scout would receive a medallion to add to their hiking stick. Many scouts achieved the highest award presented at 100 miles with some scouts going above and beyond - reaching nearly 200 miles!

After several years hiking in the Cub Pack, enough scouts and leaders had crossed over to the Troop and the desire for greater adventures bubbled up. In 2017 the Troop put in for a high adventure trek to Florida Sea Base. The troop was off for a week on Big Munson Island "MUNSON!!!" in the Florida Keys!

Once the Troop returned from Florida and dried out a few things, a path was charted to keep the troop on the trail to high adventure. Every 2 years (or so) the troop would set off on another trek, targeting a different BSA high adventure base. Over the next several years the troop has visited Northern Tier, Philmont and then back to Florida Sea Base, once again landing on the shores of Big Munson Island "MUNSON!!!"

2019 May - Northern Tier Crew Shakedown

2019 August - Northern Tier

2022 July/August - Florida Sea Base

In 2022, Troop 97 recognized its first youth recipient of the Triple Crown award. The Triple Crown award honors those who have participated in at least one qualifying high adventure program at three of the BSA’s four national high adventure bases. Dean joined adults Bob Lang and Sasha Timkovich as recipients of this honor.