Troop 1 Mendon

Centennial Camporee

Backpacking

Hike in to the centennial. Earn a patch no one else can get.

Register Your Troop Contact the Committee

Official Mendon Centennial Camporee hiked-in backpacker patch

The Hiked-In Centennial Patch

Every Scout who hikes in to Inman Hill on Friday evening and completes the full weekend earns an exclusive hiked-in centennial patch — distinct from the standard event patch and not available any other way. It marks a journey that will not happen again for a century.

Backpacking spots are limited. Pre-registration and committee coordination are required. Contact us to reserve your troop’s spot before registering.

Requirements at a Glance

The backpacking contingent is a self-sufficient experience. Troops carry everything they need from trailhead to Inman Hill and back out on Monday.

Who Can Participate

  • Any registered BSA troop or patrol
  • At least one prior overnight backpacking trip required per Scout
  • One registered adult leader per group minimum
  • Current BSA health form Parts A & B required
  • Pre-registration with the 1926 Committee required

What to Expect

  • Arrive at trailhead Friday, October 9 afternoon
  • Hike in to the dedicated backpacking camping area
  • Camp separately from the open field all weekend
  • Join all Saturday & Sunday programming with field campers
  • Pack out everything — Leave No Trace required

Leave No Trace

Inman Hill is conservation land. All seven LNT principles apply:

  • Plan ahead & prepare
  • Travel & camp on durable surfaces
  • Pack it in, pack it out
  • Leave what you find
  • Minimize campfire impacts (portable fire pits only)
  • Respect wildlife & other visitors

Suggested Routes to Inman Hill

Three trailhead options depending on experience level. All routes pass through conservation land. Coordinate your route with the 1926 Committee before the event. Distances, GPS waypoints, and printed maps provided to registered troops.

Route A — Clough Elementary School Beginner

Trailhead: Clough Elementary School, Mendon, MA

The most accessible option for troops new to overnight backpacking. Relatively level terrain through conservation corridors with minimal technical elevation — an excellent first experience for younger Scouts.

  • Distance: Approximately 2–3 miles (exact distance confirmed at registration)
  • Estimated hiking time: 1–1.5 hours at a comfortable pace
  • Terrain: Mostly flat; some soft trail sections; mixed forest and field
  • Best for: First-year backpackers, Scouts 11–13, smaller packs
  • Tip: Arrive at the trailhead by 3:00 PM to ensure daylight for the full hike in
Route B — Miscoe Hill / Hopedale Parklands Intermediate

Trailhead: Miscoe Hill area (near Hopedale/Mendon town line)

Passes through Miscoe Hill conservation area and Hopedale Parklands before connecting south toward Inman Hill. Rolling terrain, mixed hardwood forest, and genuine navigation practice.

  • Distance: Approximately 4–6 miles (exact distance confirmed at registration)
  • Estimated hiking time: 2–3 hours depending on pack weight and pace
  • Terrain: Rolling hills, wooded singletrack, some stream crossings
  • Best for: Scouts with prior overnight trips; good for navigation skill-building
  • Tip: Bring a printed topo map — cell coverage on this route can be unreliable
Route C — Quisset Brook Wilderness Advanced

Trailhead: Quisset Road access point, Mendon, MA

The most demanding and rewarding route. Dense woodland, stream navigation, minimal trail markings, and the full weight of self-sufficiency. Troops should have multiple overnight trips completed and be proficient in wilderness navigation.

  • Distance: Approximately 5–8 miles (exact distance confirmed at registration)
  • Estimated hiking time: 3–4 hours; plan to arrive by 2:00 PM for a daylight finish
  • Terrain: Varied; stream crossings, dense brush, minimal signage
  • Best for: Experienced backpackers; ideal for Backpacking and Wilderness Survival MB work
  • Tip: Best opportunity to practice survival skills en route — coordinate with your counselor in advance

Merit Badge Opportunities

The weekend creates direct opportunities to work toward three merit badges. Final sign-offs require a registered counselor — coordinate with your Scoutmaster before the event.

Backpacking Merit Badge

The camporee weekend addresses several core requirements directly. A merit badge counselor will be on site — confirm availability when registering.

Requirements you can work toward at the event

  • Req. 3 — Leave No Trace: Demonstrate LNT on conservation land throughout the weekend
  • Req. 4 — Gear selection: Demonstrate a properly loaded pack for a multi-day trip
  • Req. 5 — Navigation: Use map and compass to navigate your route to Inman Hill
  • Req. 6 — Cooking: Plan and prepare meals using backpacking methods
  • Req. 9 — Multi-day trek: Friday–Sunday hike-in contributes toward the required multi-night trip

Prepare before the event

  • Written trip plan (Req. 2) — complete before departure
  • Gear checklist & pack demonstration (Req. 4) — review with counselor beforehand
  • First aid & safety review (Req. 7) — prepare with your troop
Hiking Merit Badge

Requires five 10-mile day hikes or one 20-mile hike. The camporee hike-in contributes directly. Route A is approximately 2–3 miles; Route B approximately 4–6 miles; Route C approximately 5–8 miles. Exact distances confirmed at registration.

Requirements you can work toward at the event

  • Req. 3 — Hike log: The Friday hike-in counts toward one of the five required 10-mile hikes (route dependent)
  • Req. 4 — 20-mile hike: Route C (Quisset) may qualify if routed appropriately — coordinate in advance
  • Req. 1 — First aid: Demonstrate trail foot and ankle injury care during the hike-in

Prepare before the event

  • Confirm your route mileage with the committee
  • Complete remaining required hikes with your troop before October 9
  • Bring a hike log to document the Friday hike-in
Wilderness Survival Merit Badge

The most immersive opportunity of the weekend — best paired with Route C. A counselor session is planned for Saturday morning in the backpacking area.

Requirements you can work toward at the event

  • Req. 2 — Survival kit: Assemble and carry a personal survival kit throughout the weekend
  • Req. 3 — Shelter: Build and overnight in a debris shelter or lean-to in the backpacking area
  • Req. 4 — Fire: Demonstrate fire-building without matches (portable fire pit; subject to Fire Chief approval)
  • Req. 5 — Water: Identify sources and demonstrate purification methods
  • Req. 6 — Plants: Identify 10 wild plants including edible species along the Quisset corridor
  • Req. 8 — Signaling: Practice distress signaling in the field
  • Req. 9 — Survival night: Spend the night in a wilderness shelter in the backpacking area

Prepare before the event

  • Review all requirements with your counselor before the event
  • Bring a survival kit assembled per Req. 2
  • Confirm counselor session availability when registering

Packing List

Pack light — you carry everything from trailhead to Inman Hill and back out. Every item below has earned its weight. When in doubt, leave it out.

Shelter & Sleep
  • Backpacking tent or tarp system (tested before the trip)
  • Sleeping bag rated to at least 30°F (October nights can dip into the 30s)
  • Sleeping pad — insulated, not just foam
  • Tent footprint or ground cloth (recommended on damp ground)
Safety & First Aid
  • Personal first aid kit (blister treatment, moleskin, bandages, antiseptic)
  • Emergency whistle & space blanket
  • Headlamp with extra batteries
  • Firestarter (waterproof matches or lighter + tinder)
  • Knife or multi-tool
  • Personal medications (waterproof bag, labeled)
  • BSA Health Form Parts A & B (copy with troop leader)
Pack & Clothing
  • Backpack (40–60L) with rain cover
  • Moisture-wicking base layer (top and bottom)
  • Insulating mid-layer (fleece or light down)
  • Waterproof rain jacket and rain pants
  • Hiking pants or convertibles (no cotton)
  • 2–3 pairs wool or synthetic hiking socks
  • Broken-in waterproof hiking boots
  • Warm hat and gloves
  • BSA uniform for ceremonies (in a dry bag)
Navigation
  • USGS topo map of Mendon/Hopedale area (printed — don’t rely on phone)
  • Baseplate compass
  • Route sheet from the 1926 Committee
  • Phone with offline maps (Google Maps or AllTrails)
  • Backup battery pack
Food & Water
  • Water bottles or hydration reservoir (minimum 2L)
  • Water filter or purification tablets (Sawyer Squeeze or similar)
  • Friday dinner & Saturday breakfast (before Lions Club snack bar opens)
  • Trail snacks for hike-in (bars, nuts, jerky, dried fruit)
  • Camp stove and fuel canister
  • Lightweight pot, spork, and cup
  • Food bag and bear hang cord — food storage required
Hygiene & Leave No Trace
  • Trowel (cat-hole digging, 200 ft from water/trail/camp)
  • Toilet paper and waste bags (pack it out)
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste (travel size)
  • Sunscreen and insect repellent
  • Trash bag for all waste
Merit Badge Extras
  • Wilderness Survival kit (Req. 2 — see your counselor)
  • Field guide to local plants (Wilderness Survival Req. 6)
  • Signal mirror (Wilderness Survival Req. 8)
  • Hike log / merit badge worksheet
  • Camp journal
Leave at Home
  • Cotton clothing (heavy, slow to dry, dangerous when wet and cold)
  • Valuables or electronics beyond a phone
  • Food requiring refrigeration
  • Anything with a strong scent (wildlife attractant)
  • Glass containers
  • Firewood — do not bring or collect on conservation land

Ready to Hike In?

Backpacking spots are limited and fill early. Contact the 1926 Committee first to confirm route availability and coordinate your trailhead, then complete your troop’s registration.

Questions about routes, merit badge counselors, or accommodations? Email info@mendoncentennialcamporee.org.

Contact the Committee Register Your Troop View Leader Guide