Tenderfoot Trail

First Year Scouts

Tenderfoot Trail is a designed for first year scouts and introduces them to the thrills and challenges of a multi-day backpacking journey. This four-day, three-night outing is held in August is for most scouts their first backpacking experience.In the two months leading up to the event, the scouts, and their Assistant Scoutmaster advisors, go through a series of mini events the teach the scouts on how to be successful and have fun on their trip. The scouts go on day hikes and build up to longer trips with heavier packs to prepare them for their adventure.

The girls, and their adult leaders, then set out on an established trail in the Cascade Mountains with everything each girl needs on her back, including tent, sleeping bag, clothing and food. Tenderfoot Trail allows the girls to experience a real backpacking adventure and stay at a different campsite every night. Since this is a learning venture, our Assistant Scoutmasters advisors and older Scout guides work with the girls on what to pack (and what not to pack) and how to best prepare for the trip. Food is carefully chosen and provided—the girls just need to bring a sense of adventure and a willingness to explore.

During the Tenderfoot Trail process, it is the goal to help the Scouts complete all the outdoor requirements for Tenderfoot Second Class, and First Class ranks. When the Scouts complete the Tenderfoot trailthey earn the right to wear the Tenderfoot Trail Red Arrowhead patch.

Tenderfoot Trail was first organized in 2004 by Troop 571’s then Scoutmaster Steve O’Connell, to introduce and immerse new Scouts to Troop 571’s Iron Scouting high adventure program. Troop 5749 continues that tradition.