GUILDERLAND — On Sept. 7, fifteen Scouts and six adults from St. Madeleine Sophie Troop 50 went on our annual trip to Scout Island.  Scout Island is located on the Great Sacandaga Resevoir in the town of Mayfield. 

We were greeted that morning by warm temperatures and sunshine as we left Guilderland around 8:30 a.m. with all our gear and canoes.  After a quick snack stop, we soon arrived at McMurray’s Boat Launch and unloaded the canoes and gear, ready to hit the water. 

The water was calm and made the paddle to the island much easier.  When we arrived, a quick survey showed that no other troops were on the island and we would have it to ourselves for the weekend. 

The Scouts quickly set up camp and were in the water for a late summer swim.  All the meals for the weekend were prepared by Scouts either working on the Cooking Merit Badge or as part of the requirements for rank advancement. 

The afternoon was spent either in the water, on the beach, or exploring the island.  Some searched and found the bald eagle nest that sits at the top of a very tall pine tree. 

Late afternoon found us watching a weather front going overhead and wondering how wet we were going to get.  We lucked out with just a few sprinkles and enjoyed a very nice evening with lively conversation around a warm campfire. 

We awoke the next morning to calm winds and some fog rising off the water.  Soon we had a small fire going and breakfast was made. 

The next order of business was packing the gear and getting ready for the trip home.  The Scouts made quick work of their chores and, before we knew it, we were in cars heading back.  All in all, it was a great way to start the scouting year.

Troop 50 serves youths from 11 years of age to 17. The troop meets Wednesdays from 6:45 until 8 p.m. at the St. Madeleine Sophie Parish Center on Carman Road. For more information, contact Scoutmaster Sam Dikeman at 577-0434 or Assistant Scoutmaster Larry Vincent at 859-9633.

Editor’s note: Sam Dikeman is the scoutmaster for Guilderland’s Troop 50.