Boy Scout Troop 292
Manatee Campout
February 20-23, 2009
Homosassa, Florida
The troop swam with the Manatees in January 2007 and the Patrol Leaders Council voted unanimously to do
this again. Everyone was and will again be amazed at these magnificent creatures. The scouts will be able to
swim up to them, reach out and touch them, and learn about their habitat, food source, and much more. We
will be camping at Chassahowitzka River Campground in Homosassa, Florida. The scouts will also tour the
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. This park has an underwater observatory for Manatee viewing and
numerous educational programs through out the day. In addition, we will be taking canoes and kayaks with us
and will be canoeing the Chassahowitzka River which runs beside the campground where we will be camping.
This should prove to be an outstanding campout and one that should enable our scouts to better appreciate
nature. The travel plans are for the troop is to spend Friday night at a church in Tallahassee and then arrive at
the campground on Saturday morning by 11:00 a.m. Some parents will also be going and are staying at the
Days Inn in Crystal River. If any parent wants to go on this trip, let me know and I can give you the phone
number of the hotel.
What you will need: Tent, ground pad, sleeping bag (for cool weather), toiletries, shower supplies, appropriate
clothing for February, rain gear, hat/cap, camp chair, water bottle, mess kit, water shoes, and spending money
for the souvenir shop.
Everyone should arrive at the church on Friday, February 16 at 4:45 p.m. The cost of the
trip is estimated to be $110. The price of gas and the number of scouts going will
determine the cost of the trip. The Manatee tour is $25, camp fees are $8, camp site
groceries are $30, and fast food there and back will be around $16, and the balance will
cover travel cost. There is also a $6 cost for the Wildlife Park. Your scout’s popcorn
sales will help to offset the cost of this trip.