By David Fleet

Editor

On April 22 and 23 more than 200 scouts participated in the Boonie Hike 2017 hosted by Ortonville Troop 139.

The event at the 5,400 acre Ortonville Recreation Area featured 16 scout troops from Ortonville, Oxford, Lake Orion, Clarkston, Davisburg, Waterford, Royal Oak, Croswell and Pontiac. About 295 campers which included scouts, leaders and cubs with parents and siblings pitched tents on the shores of Big Fish Lake for the weekend.

The scout troops had a total of 214 hikers take the long route, which was mapped out at 10.1 miles, some troops did it a little shorter at about 7.5 miles and some did it a little longer at around 11.3 miles.

“All the troops had two maps along with written instructions Google-Mapquest style that had 40 steps to insure that they would not get lost or in any manner turned around,” said Jeff Hanft of Ortonville Troop 139.

Many cubs and parents who came just for the Saturday hike covered the short 3.2 mile route. Four scouts from the Croswell Troop 322 utilized the 20-mile hike for a merit badge.

‘The Saturday night campfire and ice cream topped off a very busy day spent hiking in the outdoors and wilds,” he said.

For more information on scouting contact Jeff Hanft, assistant scout master Ortonville Troop 139 at 248-342-2739.

For more pictures of the Boonie Hike visit thecitizenonline.com