BSA Swamp Base

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country 🇺🇸, this year all of the Scouts and leaders that conquer the swamp will earn our special commemorative Swamp Base Trek Award patch!

And of course, y’all know that every patch will still have a real alligator tooth hanging from it. 😁🐊

Next year will also be a commemorative patch year, as we memorialize the Great Flood of 1927. Stay tuned for that design!

Entering the swamp this morning was a crew from the Shenandoah Area Council in Maryland! We hope you have a wonderful trek!

We can share pretty pictures of the swamp over and over again. We can tell you how transformative the experience is. We can share the fact that mosquitoes aren’t that bad and the alligators are shy. But unfortunately, many people will call that a “sales pitch.” So let’s have a 2026 adult leader share her experience… raw and unprompted. Then you can decide for yourself if this is the experience you want for your Scouts and yourself. ♥️

“61.6 miles.

When we launched our canoes on Day 1, I had no idea what the week would hold. After paddling 19.4 miles in the Louisiana heat and humidity, I ended that first day in tears. My arms were done, my body hurt, and I honestly didn't know how I was going to survive the rest of the trek.

But somehow, one paddle stroke at a time, we did.

Over the next five days we paddled through some of the most beautiful and challenging places I've ever seen. We watched alligators and wildlife from our canoes, portaged over levees, slept in hammocks on Rougarou Island that looked straight out of Jurassic Park, explored the peaceful beauty of Forgotten Cove in complete silence, crossed lakes with whitecaps and strong winds, and celebrated every little luxury along the way—especially coffee and air conditioning at Camp Atchafalaya!

Our rest day was filled with baby alligators, card games, laughter, and watching Scouts from opposite sides of the country become lifelong friends.

Then came Day 5.

The alarm went off at 2:30 AM so we could get on the water and finish the final 17.2 miles before Tropical Storm Arthur arrived. We ate breakfast in our canoes, slogged through muddy swamp stomps, portaged over another levee, and pushed through exhaustion. By the final 3-mile lake crossing, every single one of us was hurting. The wind fought us every inch of the way. Canoe partners were shuffled, Minnesota Scouts teamed up with Texas Scouts, one canoe was even being towed to keep it on course.

But nobody quit.

As we got closer to the finish, Scouts were yelling encouragement to each other across the water. Everyone dug deeper than they thought possible. And when the last canoe hit that beach, tears were shed, stinky hugs were given, and there was an overwhelming sense of accomplishment that words simply can't describe.

I cried on Day 1 because I didn't know how I would make it through the week.

I cried on Day 5 because we did.

What I'll remember most isn't the miles. It's the people. Every night we worked together to figure out paddle partners, solve problems, and help each other succeed. These Scouts and adults showed grit, resilience, teamwork, and heart in ways that continually amazed me.

We arrived as two separate troops from opposite ends of the country with two different trek guides.

We left as one.

At the end of the trek, we didn't take a Troop 303 picture. We didn't take a Troop 324 picture. We took one trek photo.

Not Texas. Not Minnesota.
But instead, TexSota.

And I'll never forget it.”

~ Brandy Davis, Longhorn Council, Scouting America

Today we welcome our “provisional crew” to the swamp! This group is comprised of Scouts and leaders from across the country that join to gather as strangers to form a crew. This year the provisional crew is comprised of participants from Iowa, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas.

Enjoy your trek and the opportunity to make new swamp friends!

We often have Scouts participate on a trek with one of their parents. From time to time, we’ve even had Scouts joined by a grandparent. But this scenario is a first… at least as far as we know it.

Today we welcomed the first participants representing THREE generations of their family! How cool is that?!

This morning a double crew from the South Texas Council began their 61.6-mile high adventure trek!

Please join us in welcoming our Camp Atchafalaya Interpreters!! 🏕️

These friendly faces are surely a welcomed sight after 3 days on the water. From serving up delicious food, to Zydeco dancing the night away, and teaching our educational programs, these three staffers are sure to “Laissez les bons temps rouler”!🪗

Michaiah is an Eagle Scout from Shreveport, Louisiana! Bringing along her Scout spirit, and her cello, she’s ready for a great summer at Camp Atchafalaya! 🎻

Simon is a local from Lafayette, and even speaks a bit of French! With a wealth of knowledge about local history and the environment, he’s excited to provide programming to every participant!🐊

Izzy is a native of Pineville, Louisiana! With a passion for coastal restoration, she loves sharing her research experiences and teaching the stream table program! 🌊

Welcome to the Swamp Base team, Camp Atchafalaya Interpreters! We’re so glad you’re here!

This morning we welcomed a crew from the Baltimore Area Council Boy Scouts of America in Maryland to the Atchafalaya Swamp! 🛶

From June 1st to November 30th is hurricane season in the Atlantic/Gulf, so there’s always a chance of impacts to our trek program.

Right now, Tuesday, June 16th at 4:00pm, we are monitoring the forecasts coming from NOAA’s Hurricane Center, along with information from our local meteorologists.

Here’s what we know:
- Forecasts are calling for a weak Tropical Storm Arthur to develop by Wednesday morning.
- Widespread rain is forecasted for the area, with the Atchafalaya receiving up to 4” over a 12 hour period between Wednesday PM and Thursday AM.
- Some windy conditions with gusts out of the south from 30mph to 40mph.
- Based on the anticipated center of circulation, winds should be coming out of the south.

Here’s how we’re responding:
- We are staying active in checking forecast updates and monitoring the current radar hourly.
- Though heavy rains are forecasted, the rain should not impact paddling progress, as long as lightning remains minimal.
- Wind is our highest concern, as southerly winds make paddling progress more difficult. Response boats are on standby if conditions deteriorate or Scouts are struggling to make progress.
- If conditions worsen beyond initial forecasts, we will work to transport crews by land.

Stay tuned to this page as we receive more information.