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Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

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Patches from our dual Scouting endeavors

Return to Scouting

Getting back into service as a volunteer for Boy Scouts of America, JK brings Sandy along to become a trained volunteer couple, teaching their first University of Scouting classes this weekend.

January 29, 2013    John Keatley

Patches from our dual Scouting endeavors
Patches from our dual Scouting endeavors

In my 45-plus years in Scouting, I have been everything from a Cub Scout to a Scoutmaster.  I’ve participated in training and Conferences across the Southeast. I completed my Woodbadge requirements in the late 70s and my Scouters Training award around the same time.

Returning as a volunteer today, my background doesn’t matter.  It was like starting over, as a new leader required to take all of the new training courses before I could work with Scouts in today’s new program.

I’ve enjoyed Scouting so much in my past that I wanted to share it with Sandy.  For years, she has been contacted by Scout leaders and Scouts seeking ideas and advice for taking their troops hiking in Florida.

As a long time committee member of Crew 2076, I contacted the person who handles our registration. He sent us the forms required.  We both took required online training, and took the in-person position-specific training.  So we are both now recognized as “trained” by Boy Scouts of America.  We even earned our first patches to sew onto our uniforms.

In November, we were asked about being instructors for the Central Florida Council’s annual University of Scouting.  They wanted something about what it takes to hike the Florida Trail.  With Sandy’s vast hiking experience and knowledge of the FT, she was the right person for the job!  Me, I was just a 40-year Eagle Scout who still does most of the outdoor things that Scouting introduced me to. What added a special twist to our class is that I would have to take a break from doing a long distance hike on the Florida Trail to be there, so I could share stories directly from the trail.

This Saturday, we left home at 6:15 AM to be there in plenty of time for the kickoff of the University of Scouting at East River High School in Bithlo. For one day, this high school campus is filled with Scout uniforms: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venture Scouts, Sea Scouts, and even a few Girl Scouts.  All there to learn something to enhance their piece of the program. The day is broken into hour-long classes, some designed for Scouts, others for their adult leaders.

Our program, “How to Hike the Florida Trail,” gave a brief overview of the Florida Trail and its history. We talked about the Florida Trail Association and the great potential for service projects and Eagle projects along the trail. We told our class the best times and places to hike on the trail, and gave pointers on how to prepare for a backpacking trip and what to bring along. We selected suggested sections of the Florida Trail that would meet badge requirements, and presented them as ideas for the leaders.  [You can view the list here]

By the end of the day, we had 32 new people interested in the Florida Trail.  Most of them were adult leaders, so if each one returns to their unit and gets them interested in hiking the Florida Trail, our mission was a success.

Sandy and I have now shared our first Scouting activity, sharing our love of the trail and the outdoors with others.  Plus, we received our first participation patches!  Unlike those who attended the University of Scouting, our patches say STAFF.

Category: Articles, Events, Florida TrailTag: Florida Trail, Scouting

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Our Florida Trail Books

The Florida Trail Guide

The Florida Trail GuideThe comprehensive mile-by-mile guidebook to planning section and thru-hikes along the entire length of the Florida Trail. 356 pages, $19.95 + tax and shipping.

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Florida Trail Hikes

Florida Trail HikesFifty of the best day hikes, overnights, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail, plus nine of the best section hikes. Full hike descriptions and maps, full color. 376 pages. $24.95 + tax and shipping.

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Discovering the Florida Trail

Florida Trail mini coffee table book cover of trail into palm hammock
Our virtual walk along the length of the Florida Trail, covering more than 1,500 miles from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach. Hardcover, 196 pages. $24.95 + tax and shipping.

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The Florida Trail

Florida Trail large coffee table book cover of trail down swamp causeway under ancient pines

Our history of the first 50 years of the Florida Trail, from its founding in 1966 to becoming a National Scenic Trail to volunteer efforts today.

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The Florida Trail App

Comprehensive logistics and offline maps all in one: The Florida Trail Guide is now also an interactive map-based mile-by-mile app by Guthook Guides.

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Florida Trail Updates


Get periodic recaps of changes to the Florida Trail, which we accumulate between editions of our guidebook. Find all official Trail Closures & Notices here.

Hiking the Florida Trail

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Florida Trail by Section

Porter Lake, Apalachicola National Forest

Florida Trail, Apalachicola

Florida Trail, Apalachicola
Florida Trail Big Bend view

Florida Trail, Big Bend

Florida Trail, Big Bend
Florida Trail Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Blackwater

Florida Trail, Blackwater
Florida Trail Nokuse

Florida Trail, Central Panhandle

Florida Trail, Central Panhandle
Eglin Weaver Creek

Florida Trail, Eglin

Florida Trail, Eglin
Florida Trail Kissimmee

Florida Trail, Kissimmee

Florida Trail, Kissimmee
Florida Trail at Rice Creek

Florida Trail, Northeast Florida

Florida Trail, Northeast Florida
Juniper Prairie Wilderness

Florida Trail, Ocala

Florida Trail, Ocala
Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail

Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail

Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail
Florida Trail, Okeechobee

Florida Trail, Okeechobee

Florida Trail, Okeechobee
Florida Trail at Forever Florida

Florida Trail, Orlando

Florida Trail, Orlando
Florida Trail Seashore Dunes

Florida Trail, Seashore

Florida Trail, Seashore
Florida Trail along a canal south of Clewiston

Florida Trail, Seminole

Florida Trail, Seminole
No Name Creek

Florida Trail, Suwannee

Florida Trail, Suwannee
Cypress Lakes Preserve

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

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