Matthews Troop 46 - October 2025 - Black Mountain Adventure

Friday, 10/17/25: Depart at 5:30pm. The troop will backpack approx. 2 miles into the Brushy Mountain outdoor shelter from the "Lookout Trail" in Montreat. (310 Gaither Circle · Montreat, NC 28757 828.669.8012)

Saturday, 10/18/25: Troop 46 will split into two adventure groups

Low Impact Day Hike – Everyone not participating in the Older Scout Trek.
1.5 Miles - Day Hike 400Ft Elevation Gain

Older Scout Trek – 2 Adults and 4-5 Scouts max prepared for a strenuous trek. Tents will not be necessary, but sleeping pads are highly recommended. 8:30 am departure. Older scouts will set camp and then take a short hike to the summit of Graybeard Mountain. Scouts will learn set-up and experience of back country "Shelter" camping at elevation (5,000 Ft). Scouts will learn the rules associated with "Pack in/Pack out"
12 Miles - 2,400 Ft Elevation Gain (6,020 Ft)

Sunday, 10/19/25: Troop meets back at Lookout trailhead by 11:30 AM . Depart for church by 12:30 with arrival for pickup 2:30-3pm.

Max Number of Participants: 14 (due to limited space in the primary shelter)

Cost: $25

Signup Link

In Scouting,
Brad McLelland
Committee Chair
www.matthewstroop46.org
704-488-4701

MPC Grounds Clean Up - Service Project

Please sign up to join Troop 46 as we retire a past eagle project and work to improve the usable area at Matthews Presbyterian Church on October 11, 2025 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.

Time spent working on this project counts towards service hours required for rank advancements.

Details in the sign up
https://forms.gle/8N5jkBeECj2PxeSt6

Troop 46 - Backpacking Gear List

Greetings Troop 46 Scouts, Parents, and Leaders

We had a discussion this evening about what gear would be required for a backpacking trip.

As a reference, here are links to some packing lists available on the troop website.

Cold Weather Packing List: https://matthewstroop46.org/documents/Cold_Weather_Camping_Packing_List.pdf
Warm Weather Packing List: https://matthewstroop46.org/documents/Warm_Weather_Camping_Packing_List.pdf

While not specifically targeted at backpacking, they do provide a "master list" of sorts.
With backpacking, you want to bring what you need, and not much more.

Necessities for this weekend's backpacking trip
- Backpack
- Sleeping bag and pad
- One change of clothes
- 2 pairs socks (NOT cotton)
- 1 "warming" layer (i.e. a fleece or a puffy jacket)
- Rain gear
- 1 non-cotton beanie
- Headlamp (freshly charged, or with fresh batteries)
- 2-3 32 oz. water bottles
- 1 Personal First Aid kit
- Trekking poles (1 pair)
- Hiking boots
- Mess kit (bowl, cup, utensils)

Hope this helps.

Yours in Scouting,

Bruce Hethcote
Scoutmaster | scoutmaster@matthewstroop46.org | 704-877-9109

September 2025 Camping Signup

Trip Name: 2025-09 Black Balsam Knob
Dates: September 19-21, 2026
Cost: $ 0.00*

*Attendees will be providing their own backpacking meals:
-- Saturday breakfast
-- Saturday trail lunch
-- Saturday dinner
-- Sunday breakfast

Itinerary:
Friday, 9/19/2025
Meet at Matthews Presbyterian Church (MPC) at 5:30 pm to load vehicles. This is a backpacking trip, so nothing but backpacks, tents, backpacking meals. We'll also bring four of the Igloo water buckets since water is not easily obtained here. We'd like to depart by 6:00 pm.

We'll camp Friday night at the trailhead and after breakfast we'll top off all water bottles and depart for the summit of Tennent Mountain (6063 ft.) where we'll break for a trail lunch, then head out for the summit of Black Balsam Knob (6,240 ft.). We'll have dinner and camp on the summit on Saturday. The crew will be treated to spectacular 360-degree views from the mountain top with awesome sunsets and sunrises.

On Sunday morning, we'll break camp, have a quick breakfast, hike back down to the trailhead, pack up and depart, aiming for a 12:30 pm arrival time back at MPC.

IMPORTANT:
It can get very windy at the summit ad it is critical to pack layers in addition to rain gear.
Attendees need to plan on carrying a minimum of three 1-liter water bottles as water is scarce along the trail.

Signup Link: https://forms.gle/54H42vz3KydHbQ5g9

NOTE: The signup closes on 9/16/2025. This is the Tuesday meeting prior to the event.

Yours in Scouting,

Bruce Hethcote
Scoutmaster | 704-877-9109 | scoutmaster@matthewstroop46.org

Class A Uniforms Back on September 2, 2025

Greetings Troop 46 Scouts, Parents and Leaders,

 

This a reminder that we will start wearing our Class A uniforms to meetings beginning on September 2, 2025.

 

I know it's been a while, so please take the time to locate all the components:

 

1. Class A uniform shirt with:
1. Green epaulettes
2. Tan/Dark green troop numerals
2. Dark green shorts/pants
3. Neckerchief and slide
4. Closed-toed shoes (sneakers are fine)
1. No Crocs
2. No slides
3. No sandals
5. Merit Badge Sash

 

Important: We will have a uniform inspection on September 2.

 

Yours in Scouting,

 

Bruce Hethcote

Scoutmaster | 704-877-9109 | scoutmaster@matthewstroop46.org

Fw: Troop 46 - August 2025 Camping Trip (signup correction)

Greetings Troop 46 Scouts, Parents and Leaders,

IMPORTANT: I was made aware that I had forgotten to include a question on the signup form to allow a trek to be selected.
That has been corrected, and the signup form is ready go. The same link below is still valid.

The August Camping Trip takes us to Stone Mountain State Park (NC) for a basecamping experience.

There will be two Day Hike options:

Trek A:
This trek will be for older/stronger scouts and will be approximately 4.5 miles along the Stone Mountain Loop trail. This trail is classified as Strenuous. After completing the loop, everyone will return to the campsite to relax a little and work on dinner.

Trek B:
This trek will be a shorter, less difficult trek, and will take the Stone Mountain Loop trail from the trailhead to the Stone Mountain summit, and the return to the trailhead, and then back to camp. We'll work on skills and requirements, have a little time to relax, and then work on dinner.

Singnup Link: https://forms.gle/Je8n3nfW1s84xWS68
Trip Cost: $30.00
Signup Deadline: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 7:00 pm

Itinerary
We will meet at Matthews Presbyterian Church on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 6:00 pm
We'll load up the trailer and try to depart by 6:30 pm.
We will return to Matthews Presbyterian Church at approximately 12:30 pm on Sunday, August 17, 2025

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Yours in Scouting,

Bruce Hethcote
Scoutmaster | 704-877-9109 | scoutmaster@matthewstroop46.org

Troop 46 - August 2025 Camping Trip (signup correction)

Greetings Troop 46 Scouts, Parents and Leaders,

IMPORTANT: I was made aware that I had forgotten to include a question on the signup form to allow a trek to be selected.
That has been corrected, and the signup form is ready go. The same link below is still valid.

The August Camping Trip takes us to Stone Mountain State Park (NC) for a basecamping experience.

There will be two Day Hike options:

Trek A:
This trek will be for older/stronger scouts and will be approximately 4.5 miles along the Stone Mountain Loop trail. This trail is classified as Strenuous. After completing the loop, everyone will return to the campsite to relax a little and work on dinner.

Trek B:
This trek will be a shorter, less difficult trek, and will take the Stone Mountain Loop trail from the trailhead to the Stone Mountain summit, and the return to the trailhead, and then back to camp. We'll work on skills and requirements, have a little time to relax, and then work on dinner.

Singnup Link: https://forms.gle/Je8n3nfW1s84xWS68
Trip Cost: $30.00
Signup Deadline: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 7:00 pm

Itinerary
We will meet at Matthews Presbyterian Church on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 6:00 pm
We'll load up the trailer and try to depart by 6:30 pm.
We will return to Matthews Presbyterian Church at approximately 12:30 pm on Sunday, August 17, 2025

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Yours in Scouting,

Bruce Hethcote
Scoutmaster | 704-877-9109 | scoutmaster@matthewstroop46.org