Troop prepares for spring camping season.
By: Josh Appelbaum
After four months of infrequent wintertime campouts and a scuba diving excursion to Florida, Boy Scout Troop 52 will return to a New Jersey campsite to start the spring camping season.
John Kirkenir, the troop’s scoutmaster, said 10 to 12 Scouts and four adult chaperones will converge on a campsite in Stokes State Forest along the Kittatinny Mountain trail in Sussex County to perform service projects on Saturday, and take a hike along a section of the Appalachian Trail on Sunday.
"We’ll go there and help the campsite get ready for the spring season by fixing benches and picnic tables and repairing some latrines," Mr. Kirkenir said.
Mr. Kirkenir said the Scouts are able to schedule only two camping trips a month in the summer and fall, and only one during the winter. He said troop members are looking forward to summer, when school is out and the weather is favorable.
"We’re able to go on longer trips in the summertime usually weeklong campouts," Mr. Kirkenir said.
Following a Thursday organizational meeting, Boy Scouts will leave early Saturday morning and work through the day, breaking only for lunch.
Mr. Kirkenir said what follows is typical of other Boy Scout jaunts.
"The boys make their own meals, and the adults cook separately, then we build a campfire and go to bed," he said.
The Scouts will need their rest to rise early on Sunday morning for a long hike in the mountains before departing for Cranbury between 2 and 3 p.m.
Mr. Kirkenir said the trip offers the boys some valuable lessons.
"When they go out on a Scout service project, it gives them a little sense of adventure, and builds character," Mr. Kirkenir said.

