Pack 122 had a wonderful fall pack hike this afternoon at Sandy Hook. The weather was the best we've seen all month! We met outside of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse (which was first lint 1764) and then proceeded to walk along the paved, multi-use trail in a gentle loop. Led by one of our Assistant Den Leaders, Mr. Larry, our scouts learned about the 6 essentials that all scouts should have with them when hiking.

Our scouts also learned about poison ivy and prickly pear cactus. Time will tell if all scouts managed to avoid the poison ivy, but at least one eager scout learned from experience that touching prickly pear cactus is best to be avoided. I am happy to report that, thanks to the scout motto ("Always be prepared!"), we were able to get all of the cactus hairs out of our little scout's hand with minimal fuss.

We stopped by the Proving Ground (the actual proving ground at Sandy Hook, not the restaurant). Mr. Larry explained to our scouts how the proving grounds used to be much closer to the water, but decades of natural forces brought more and more sand north to the top of Sandy Hook extending the land and pushing the ocean farther away. The proving ground didn't move; the shore moved!

Throughout the hike, the scouts were on the lookout for wild animals, and our eagle-eyed adventurers spotted birds, praying mantis, and a whole family of deer along the way!