Fall-in around the camp flag poles
(no, this image is not reversed, you're seeing the back side of the Troop Flag)
The 1996 Troop 285 Long Term camp was held at Heron Lake, New Mexico, on the shores of a large cold-water lake at about 7200 feet altitude. This was our once-every-three-year aquatics camp, at which all the water-based merit badges and skills are emphasized.
With access to canoes, rowboats, motorboats and sailboats, as well as a wonderful swimming area, all the scouts could have asked for was a little warmer water (water temperatures were in the 50 degree F range). Heron Lake is a no-wake lake, meaning although motor boats may be used, no significant wake can be created. This limits speeds to about 5 knots.
As well as all of the aquatic activity (including skin and scuba diving, for those Scouts and Scouters who were qualified), there were the standard Basic Skills training, knife and ax safety, our Trek and Basic Skills backpacking adventures, and lots of good food, thanks to the logistics contributions of Alliant Food Services, which provided a refrigerated food truck to hold fresh food (even ice cream) all week long.
Weather at Long Term (last week of July, 1996) was warm and dry - we got only a couple of showers all week long. The heaviest shower (actually a pretty severe thunderstorm with 1/2 inch hail) of course hit just as we were pulling out of camp. It cooled off the trip home, even if it caused at least one driver to become lost for a while.
Background on Heron Lake State Park
Map of the Heron Lake Area - LT96 was held in the West Side Primitive Camping Area
Click a thumbnail snapshot for a look at a larger photo.
Fall-in around the camp flag poles
(no, this image is not reversed, you're seeing the back side of the Troop Flag)
Swimming area and sailing on Heron Lake
Sunrise welcoming early morning boaters