The summer of 2022 was a busy one for Troop 581. Our Scouts traveled far and wide seeking adventure in the far corners of the world. Some of our 13-year-old Scouts got their first taste of high adventure, Boy Scout style. After a four-year hiatus, Troop 581 returned to Camp Ottari near Blacksburg, VA to participate in the Mountain Man high adventure program. Available to Scouts 13 years and older, Mountain Man is a living history program that allows participants to experience the life of the 18th Century mountain man in the backwoods of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
After a short hike to camp, Scouts left the comforts of modern life behind to live and dress like the Mountain Men of our nation’s past. To look the part, each participant made their own linen shirt, which becomes a coveted item long after camp. In fact, for many it is tradition not to wash the shirt when they return home (sorry Mom and Dad). While at camp, Scouts used period-accurate tools such as tomahawks, knives, muzzle loaders, and practiced skills such as leather working, cooking and blacksmithing. They learned how to start fires with flint and steel and cooked most of their meals this way. The Scouts spent a good amount of time collecting firewood.
All good things must come to an end and our Scouts finally returned home with the knowledge that they could survive a week without electricity, a deeper understanding of our nation’s past and memories of a great adventure. Hopefully, it will not be another four years before Troop 581 returns to Mountain Man.