Centennial Gathering

This is a hometown weekend for Troop 1 and Pack 1 families and alumni. Invitation-scale — capped at 50 people.

About 50 people.

Online RSVP is closed for this weekend. If you still need to confirm your household or have a last-minute question, email info@mendoncentennialcamporee.org. Suggested contributions can still be settled through Troop 1 or Pack 1.

Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11 morning departure (2 nights). Early leaders from 10:00 AM Friday; camper arrivals from 5:00 PM Friday. Check in at 1926 Committee Field. Saturday is the program day. There is no Sunday program.

Inman Hill in Mendon, Massachusetts. View the site maps — they stay current through the weekend. Parking is at 98 Inman Hill Road; park in the left field as you head in toward the facilities.

Community fires only — Friday night in a portable pit in the 1926 Committee field (picnic tables against the woods, left side as you head in), and Saturday’s main fire in the designated field. The Mendon Fire Department builds and tends Saturday’s fire. No individual fires at tents or in the woods.

Campfires and open flames are only allowed in portable fire pits the fire department approves. No ground fires. All fires are subject to approval that weekend by the Mendon Fire Department Chief. In overly dry conditions we may need to run a fireless weekend — the event will go on either way.

Leave No Trace applies throughout the event; camp only in assigned areas. Full rules are on On-site → Event Rules.

Troop 1 and Pack 1 cook Saturday and Sunday breakfast (cinnamon buns, pancakes, and sausages) and Saturday lunch (hamburgers and hot dogs). Turkey dinner is Saturday 5:00–7:00 PM in the 1926 Committee field — wear Class A (dress uniform) before heading to the campfire. Friday dinner is bring-your-own. Coffee is available with the weekend meals. There is no snack bar on site. Daytime visitors who stay for dinner should already be on the weekend headcount.

There is no running water at Inman Hill. Bring enough drinking water for yourself, plus a bottle or cup. The 1926 Committee also brings a shared supply for the weekend. Handwashing stations are for hands; they are not a drinking-water supply.

The same list lives on What to Bring, with a full weekend briefing (arrival times, fields, fires, and site layout).

Camping Essentials

• Tent
• Tarp or ground cloth under the tent (straw can tear a tent bottom)
• Sleeping bag (rated for 30–40°F — October nights in New England)
• Sleeping pad

Clothing & Personal Gear

• Rain gear (jacket and pants)
• Warm layers for cold but pleasant evenings (fleece, wool, or synthetic — avoid cotton)
• Sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots
• Hat and gloves (fall mornings can be cold)
• Change of clothes
• Class A (dress uniform) for Saturday turkey dinner and campfire

Food & Water

• Enough drinking water for yourself (the committee also brings a shared supply)
• Water bottle or cup
• Mess kit (plate, bowl, cup, utensils)
• Friday dinner (bring your own — Saturday breakfast, lunch, and turkey dinner, plus Sunday breakfast, are provided)
• Snacks

Day Pack

• Small backpack or day pack
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Personal medications
• Notebook and pencil

Extras

• Flashlight or headlamp (with extra batteries)
• Camp chair
• Camera

What NOT to bring: Firearms, fireworks, alcohol. Leave valuables and unnecessary electronics at home. Individual campsite fires are not permitted — community fires only, in portable pits the fire department approves.

The event runs rain or shine. Pack rain gear and expect some New England fall weather. Programming may shift for safety during severe weather. See the Emergency Action Plan.

The weekend runs rain or shine. The 1926 Committee would only cancel for a declared state of emergency, ground too unsafe to park (for example severe storm flooding), or an active hurricane threat. If the fire department determines conditions are too dry for safe fires, campfire programming may be adjusted but the event continues. If we have to cancel, RSVPs will be notified by email.

We want everyone who is invited to be able to take part. A few things to know about the site:

• Inman Hill has unpaved roads and rolling field terrain — not fully ADA-accessible for unassisted wheelchair use across all areas.
• Accessible drive-up camping is available for participants who need to stay close to a vehicle. Please arrange this in advance with the committee.
• Two portable bathrooms are near the parking lot.

If you have mobility, sensory, dietary, or other needs, email us at info@mendoncentennialcamporee.org ahead of the weekend so we can make sure everything is in place.

First aid at headquarters. Mendon Fire as medical backup; Police and Fire support on call. For medical emergencies, call 911 first, then report to event headquarters. See the Emergency Action Plan.

Artwork for the Gathering patch is being revised so the lower lettering reads clearly; 100 are on order. The Troop 1 100-year patch is already in the site header.

Suggested contributions are optional. If money is a barrier, email info@mendoncentennialcamporee.org — the 1926 Committee handles requests confidentially. Nobody invited should stay home over money.

Lost and found is managed at event headquarters throughout the weekend. After the event, unclaimed items will be held by the 1926 Committee for two weeks. To claim something, email info@mendoncentennialcamporee.org with a description. After two weeks, unclaimed items will be donated — and any leftover committee funds from the event will be donated to the Mendon Food Pantry.

Email the 1926 Committee at info@mendoncentennialcamporee.org or use the contact form.