Erie Canal Historic Trail Medal

02/11/2024

Getting started on plans for the 200th Anniversary of the oprning of the Erie Canal in 2025. We are planning both a spring and a fall council event along with some additional trail events/adventures. Stay tuned!

08/09/2024

Stay tuned for more info in the near future about fall programs.

19/05/2024

INFO ON OUR PLANNED JUNE EVENT. SEE YOU THERE...

21/03/2024

LETTING FOLKS KNOW WHAT IS AVAILABLE... Can be ordered through Longhouse Council BSA. Thanks

17/02/2024

09/01/2024

Your group might be planning to do the canal via boat, canoe/kayak and this guide would be a great assist. Don't forget to look up the BSA historic trails and 50 miler awards when you make your plans.

This mile-by-mile guide includes launch sites, paddler-friendly facilities and amenities, and places of interest for over 450 miles of waterway. Companion map set is water and tear resistant. An indispensable resource for paddlers!

08/01/2024

Nick Yetto: 'Former President Thomas Jefferson considered the proposal “little short of madness.” The project became known as “Clinton’s Folly”—an embarrassment to the state of New York and its governor, DeWitt Clinton. Yet shortly after the locks opened in 1825, completing a man-made waterway that connected the Hudson River to the Great Lakes, the critics were silenced, and the Erie Canal, one of the greatest engineering marvels in history, charted America’s course from colonial start-up to global superpower." Start now to make plans to participate on the Erie Canal in 2025 as we celebrate 200 years since it's opening!

07/01/2024

Many families had their entire life wrapped up in the canal. Men, women and their children lived and worked on the canal boats. For many the boat was both home and workplace. Children were schooled on the boats and floating schools sometimes supported what their parents taught them. Religion was supported by 'floating churches' as preachers brought 'the word' to their floating congregations. In 1907 in Syracuse the canal was breached and several canal boats were caught up in the vortex and destroyed along with 2 unfortunate mules but the crews and families survived but lost everything.

13/12/2023

Shooting for our next event to be the end of June... Probably 6/29/24...Watch for it.

18/10/2023

NEW ANNIVERSARY PATCH AS WE START TO PROMOTE AND PREPARE FOR THE 2025 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OPENING OF THE CANAL. PATCHES ARE $5 EACH AND CAN BE ORDERED FROM [email protected].

04/10/2023

Update: New medal design, smaller/lighter plus a free 2023 patch for all youth that hike and/or visit the towpath trail or historic sites. Additionally, all registered leaders can receive a free CSP for assisting your scouts. Remember, this award is open to any youth ages 10 to 18, regardless of affiliation with BSA. Invite friends to earn this award with you and introduce them to Scouts.