Troop 1097 will support Antietam National Battlefield during this most somber yet beautiful event, the Memorial Illumination (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HjUxo4zk3Q or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTVAaQhyQZ8).
More than 23,000 candles will be lit and lined up along the battlefield to pay tribute to the soldiers who were killed, wounded, or reported missing at the noteworthy Battle of Antietam. A half hour drive through the battlefield just after dark will reveal seemingly endless rows of candles to symbolize the lives that were lost that September day. The Scouts (and family members who would also like to volunteer) will set up luminaries on "our field" throughout the day on December 1st and spend the weekend camping at Antietam. SSL hours are available for this activity.
Scouts and family volunteers will begin the day by putting the candles into the luminaries. After that, they will arrange the bags in lines on the field. We’ll eat bag lunches provided by the troop, probably have an hour or two of free time, then we’ll light the candles. There will be a short ceremony at the Maryland Memorial at dusk, after which the volunteers will be the first to drive through and see the Illumination. After we drive through the Illumination, the troop will enjoy a reception featuring cookies and homemade soup at the Washington County Agricultural Center, where we’re camping. A Scout is helpful, so we’ll also be assisting the reception staff with clean up afterward.
On Sunday morning, we will break camp, clean up the field, then stop at a restaurant on the way home for a hot breakfast. We anticipate arriving back at the IWLA between 11:00 and noon on Sunday.
Lunches Saturday will be provided at noon on Saturday, and dinner will be the great soup and cookies at the reception Saturday evening.
The time spent setting up and cleaning up will count as SSL hours.
Dress warmly in layers including hat and gloves. There is little protection from the wind on the field. Don’t wear fabric sneakers or cotton clothes!
Scouts have the option of camping both Friday and Saturday nights, Friday night only or Saturday night only. You could also just come up and help with the set up and leave in the evening after driving through the lit battlefield. Please note your preference when registering online.
Friday night campers will meet at the IWLA at 5:30 pm on Friday. Eat before you arrive or bring a bag dinner.
Saturday night only campers and those going to Antietam for the day only will LEAVE from the IWLA at 7:30 AM. Be at the IWLA no later than 7:15. We WILL leave without you if you’re not there before 7:30.
Location for Camping: Washington County Agricultural Education Center
7313 Sharpsburg Pike
Boonsboro, MD 21713-2431
The easiest (but not the shortest) route is:
North on 270 to 70 West
Take Exit 29B – Route 65 South to Antietam/Sharpsburg
The Washington County Agricultural Education Center is on the left (6.4 miles south of I-70)
We will be camping in or around the one of the “Barns” No. 11,12 or 15 (shown on Ag center map)
The easiest way to our field #28 is to continue south from i-10 another few miles then enter the battlefield as shown by the asterisk on the Illumination Fields map. Troop 1097 will be at field #28.
Antietam_Permission Slip
Winter_Camping_Checklist.pdf
winter_camping_tips[1].pdf
