Weekend Schedule
The schedule below follows last year’s pattern closely and gives a realistic sense of the weekend, but treat the exact times as approximate. Trip leaders will confirm the final 2026 schedule closer to the trip.
Heads up on time zones: Brentwood is in the Central time zone, but Chilhowee Campground and the rivers are in the Eastern time zone. Times below are labeled accordingly, so set your watch forward an hour once you cross into Eastern time on the way down.
Friday, July 31 (Central Time until you arrive)
| Time | |
|---|---|
| 2:00 PM | Meet at Good Shepherd Church parking lot |
| 2:30 PM | Depart for Chilhowee Recreation Area (183 miles) |
| ~6:30 PM (Eastern) | Arrive at campground, set up tents/camp |
| 9:00 PM | Flag retirement |
| 10:30 PM | Lights out |
Bring a sack dinner and your water bottle, since we eat on the road.
Saturday, August 1 (Eastern Time)
| Time | |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Wake-up |
| 7:15 AM | Hot breakfast, cooked by patrol |
| 8:15 AM | KP & site clean-up |
| 9:00 AM | ~2-mile morning hike |
| 11:00 AM | Cold lunch prep, cooked by patrol |
| 12:15 PM | Group check-in to confirm everyone’s ready to head out |
Saturday afternoon splits into two tracks depending on your Scout’s activity:
Hiwassee (kayaking) group
| Time | |
|---|---|
| 12:30 PM | Depart for Hiwassee Outfitters |
| 1:00 PM | Kayak the Hiwassee River |
| 3:00 PM | Depart outfitter, return to camp |
| 4:00 PM | Free time: hike to Benton Falls, swim, rank advancement work, relax |
Ocoee (rafting) group
| Time | |
|---|---|
| 12:30 PM | Depart for Outland Expeditions |
| 1:00 PM | Check-in, safety briefing, depart for the river by bus |
| 2:00 PM | Rafts enter the Ocoee River |
| ~8:00 PM | Return to camp, change into dry clothes |
Both groups together
| Time | |
|---|---|
| 9:00 PM | Dinner, cooked by patrol |
| 10:30 PM | Lights out |
Sunday, August 2 (Eastern Time)
| Time | |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Wake-up |
| 7:15 AM | Cold breakfast, cooked by patrol, then site clean-up |
| 8:15 AM | Pack up troop and personal gear |
| ~9:30 AM | Depart for Brentwood |
| ~11:30 AM (Central) | Arrive back at the church |
Meals & Cooking
Each patrol has its own cook, who’s responsible for that patrol’s meals for the weekend: hot breakfast Saturday, cold lunch Saturday, dinner Saturday (cooked for the whole troop, once everyone’s back together at camp), and cold breakfast Sunday. Typical per-Scout budgets have run around $5 for a hot breakfast and $6 for dinner. If you’re your patrol’s cook, know your budget and headcount ahead of time, and make sure anything requiring refrigeration travels in a cooler with ice. Cooking for this trip is a great way to knock out meals toward First Class rank or the Cooking merit badge. Talk to your Patrol Leader if you’re interested and haven’t been assigned yet.
Getting There
Chilhowee Campground is about 183 miles from the church, roughly a 3-hour drive. Full driving directions, the map, and turn-by-turn photos are now on their own page: see Directions.
Waivers
Everyone rafting or kayaking must complete a digital waiver with the outfitter before arrival. A link to sign will be emailed out ahead of the trip. It only takes a couple of minutes, and completing it early makes check-in at the river much faster for everyone.