By Tanner Harrs
The first ever History of Scouting Trail hike was held the weekend of May 25, 2013. The trail is located in Washington, D.C., in the National Capital Area Council (NCAC) and Amangamek-Wipit Lodge. The History of Scouting Trail, or HOST, tells Scouting's story with interactive challenges in the general location where the history of the first big Scouting push occurred. National Capital Area Council says "The HOST hike is part treasure hunt, challenge trail, and history hike." This trail helps retrace the steps from the Willard Hotel to Scout Square to the White House.
The History of Scouting Trail actually has a few trails within itself. One of these hikes is called the Colin Livingstone Hike. The trail is approximately six miles long. The first 3,000 participants were given the opportunity to purchase a special inaugural trail medal. This medal is 24k gold plated and numbered individually.
Along the trail, Scouts were met with question, riddles, or some form of obstacle. There were more than 20 questions for the hikers to complete. Davis Kellogg, the current lodge chief for Amangamek-Wipit Lodge, helped out on a station by assisting Scouts in completing the questions. In regards to the experience, Kellogg said that "overall it helped let Scouts walk away with a new understanding of Scouting's history and with the Order of the Arrow providing service and showing them how they can be a part of a larger picture."
Amangamek-Wipit and the council's future plan for HOST is to utilize national monuments and landmarks of Washington, D.C. NCAC says, "The trail will eventually be a series of 3 hikes, each progressively longer and more challenging." The first hike being the previously mentioned Colin Livingstone Hike. Once the Scouts have completed all the challenges, they will have the opportunity to purchase a special hike medal and patch.