By Kat Leslie
WARWICK / GREENWOOD LAKE — With three feet of snow already on the ground and another foot and a half falling during their stay, members of Greenwood Lake Boy Scout Troop 121 didn’t cancel their winter camping trip — they dug in.
Over four days and three nights at Camp Floodwood, on the banks of Rollins Pond in the northern Adirondacks, 16 scouts and eight adult volunteers embraced true primitive winter camping. Overnight temperatures hovered around zero, dipping into the single digits, as the troop skied nearly two miles into camp carrying full backpacks and gear.
When they arrived, their assigned campsites were untouched. Scouts had to shovel out tent pads, carve pathways, and prepare shelters before settling in. They slept in arctic-style canvas tents heated by wood stoves — learning quickly that warmth comes from preparation, teamwork, and steady effort.
The trip was months in the making, led by Scoutmaster Rich Brennan, whose planning ensured both safety and challenge. The focus, leaders say, is not simply camping — it is character building. “Winter camping at this level forces scouts to rely on one another,” Brennan said. “The older boys mentor the younger ones. They learn responsibility, problem-solving, and resilience.”
Troop 121, has served the Greenwood Lake community since 1933 and is currently sponsored by the Greenwood Lake Elks Lodge BPOE 2067. The troop meets weekly and offers a broad range of outdoor activities — from cross-country skiing and backpacking to canoe trips and regular campouts — giving scouts leadership opportunities and life skills through a boy-run program that emphasizes self-reliance and service. Scouts have participated in community projects such as trail maintenance, cemetery clean-ups, food pantry support, flag ceremonies, and other service initiatives that strengthen local ties. As Town Supervisor Jesse Dwyer noted, “The focus of our Scout Troop is to turn boys into men and prepare them for being independent and upstanding members of society.”
That preparation was visible throughout the trip. Scouts practiced building fires in snow-covered terrain, learned ice safety and ice-rescue techniques, constructed snow shelters, and tested their endurance in real winter conditions. Ice fishing was a highlight. It proved both educational and rewarding. Under the guidance of local volunteers — including Warwick Town Supervisor Jesse Dwyer, avid ice fisherman, who attended as a parent, EMT and volunteer— the troop successfully caught, cleaned, and cooked lake trout over an open fire.
“My role was to teach ice fishing, serve as on-site medical support, and help wherever needed,” Dwyer said. “But the real work is done by the scoutmaster and volunteers who make experiences like this possible,” he added, emphasizing that the credit belongs to the dedicated leaders and parents whose planning, commitment, and steady guidance create opportunities that leave a lasting impact on the scouts.
The lessons learned in the Adirondacks resonated even more strongly back home. Within days of Troop’s return, a winter storm swept through Warwick, bringing heavy snowfall and challenging travel conditions across Orange County. For these scouts, navigating deep snow, preparing shelters, and maintaining warmth were no longer theoretical exercises — they were lived experience.
Leaders say that kind of hands-on exposure builds confidence not only in the wilderness, but in everyday life when severe weather impacts families and communities. Beyond outdoor skills, the trip fostered what many described as an “incredible bonding experience.” Scouts learned firsthand how preparation and perseverance can turn harsh conditions into memorable accomplishments.
For these 16 boys who braved snow, wind, and sub-zero temperatures, however, the greatest reward was not simply surviving the elements. It was proving to themselves — and to one another — that with preparation and teamwork, even the harshest conditions can be met with confidence.
Though the snow will eventually melt and the tents will be packed away, – the lessons of preparation, leadership, endurance, and responsibility — will remain.
Long after the fire pits cool and the ice refreezes on Rollins Pond, the experience will stand as something greater than a camping trip. It was a proving ground. And if the mission of Troop 121 is to build independent, resilient, and principled young men, then four days in the deep freeze accomplished exactly that.
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Note From The Editor:
Greenwood Lake Troop 121 relies on community support to offset costs and keep programming accessible to local families. Donations can be sent to Boy Scout Troop 121, P.O. Box 975, Greenwood Lake, NY, or via Zelle at 121gwl@gmail.com.
