The camp to camp hike returns July 10-11, just in time for the 90th Anniversary of Susquehanna Council's Camp Karoondinha.

Pioneered in 1955 and offered occasionally since then, the 27-mile backpacking hike wends its way from Camp Karoondinha to Seven Mountains Scout Camp, and we hope hikers from Seven Mountains Scout Camp will hike from their camp to Camp Karoondinha at the same time.

Youth ages 14 and up will depart from their respective camps and hike to Poe Paddy State Park on July 10. They will continue the hike on July 11 and arrive in their opposite camp to be shuttled back to their starting places. They will earn a rare and collectible patch! The cost of the full hike is $25.

Former hikers (men who hiked the hike at some point in the past--Scout's honor!) are welcome to attend the dinner with their plus-one at Poe Paddy for fellowship and a patch. Frank Beatty, who laid out and hiked the first hike in 1955, will be in attendance. The cost for alumni hikers is $14.

Youth working on the Hiking merit badge or who just like to hike may do the day hike from Camp K to Poe Paddy, have dinner, and get driven back to their starting places (no pain, no patch, though). This first day of the full hike is relatively easy (11.8 fairly flat miles) and involves some gravel road walking. I was going to call it the "geezer hike" until I realized that some youth might be working on the badge. The cost for day hikers is $10.

As with any exciting adventure, there is some risk, so medical staff are needed and may register for free. These would be Scouters who hold current Wilderness First Aid certification or are RNs, EMTs, paramedics, physician assistants, or doctors.

Those hiking the full hike--from one camp to another--will need to carry a backpack with water and ways to treat water, snacks, lunches, shelter, sleeping gear, and the 10 Scout essentials. Dinner on Monday, breakfast on Tuesday, and the group tent site at Poe Paddy are included in the price (plenty of trees for hammocks!).

The hike and dinner are rain or shine. In case of severe thunderstorms, an alternative route is available west of Poe Paddy to avoid the ridgetop for the duration of the storm.