Moon Loop Trail, Mark Twain National Forest (near Sutton Bluff Campground), Missouri — Boy Scout Troop 707 embraced adventure and resilience during a winter backpacking trip held Saturday, January 24 through Sunday, January 25, camping along the Moon Loop Trail in Mark Twain National Forest during the season’s most recent winter storm. The trek and campsite were located near Sutton Bluff Campground, a well-known access point to the Moon Loop Trail area (Google Maps location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1Qt1uqZC6gQLdh5fA).
Scouts backpacked into the woods as snow began to fall, set up tents in winter conditions, and built fires in a snow-covered forest. Despite hoping for sub-zero temperatures, the overnight low reached a brisk 1 degree Fahrenheit—more than cold enough to put skills, preparation, and teamwork to the test. Over the course of the outing, nearly five inches of snow fell as the Scouts hiked, camped, and slept in the Missouri backcountry.
A highlight of the weekend was an Iron Chef–style cooking competition, with patrols preparing both dinner and breakfast over campfires—no small feat in winter conditions. Scouts also gathered for a bonfire where stories, skits, and laughter carried through the snowy woods, reinforcing camaraderie and Scout spirit.
Throughout the trip, Scouts put into practice lessons regularly discussed by the troop, including proper cold-weather packing, winter first aid, fire safety, and techniques for staying warm and dry. Starting fires in snow, cooking competition-worthy meals, and managing gear in winter weather proved both challenging and rewarding.
“All the Scouts had a blast,” said a Scoutmaster Josh Campbell. “They relished the challenge and took pride in pushing themselves while safely enjoying Missouri’s beautiful winter wilderness.”
Boy Scout Troop 707 regularly conducts outdoor activities designed to build leadership, self-reliance, and respect for nature—even when conditions are tough.
