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 |
| 10:15 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 |
| 12:30 PM | Depart for the outfitter |
| 1:00 PM | Check-in & safety briefing |
| 2:00 PM | On the river: rafting (Ocoee) or kayaking (Hiwassee) |
| ~8:00 PM | Return to camp, change into dry clothes |
| 10:15 PM | Lights out |
Dinner Saturday is provided by the outfitter for the Ocoee rafting group as part of the rafting package. Scouts and families kayaking the Hiwassee should plan for their own Saturday dinner, since the outfitter meal only covers the Ocoee trip.
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 and cold lunch Saturday, plus cold breakfast Sunday. (Saturday dinner is a bit different: it’s provided by the outfitter for the Ocoee rafting group, but Hiwassee kayakers should plan their own.) Typical per-Scout budgets have run around $5 for a hot breakfast and $6 for a cold lunch. 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.
If the map above doesn’t load, open it directly in Google Maps.
The key landmark to watch for:
After the Ocoee Ranger Station, turn left onto paved Forest Road 77 (also called Oswald Road) and continue about 7.3 miles to the campground entrance, then turn right. If you end up on a gravel road, you’ve missed the turn. The whole route to the campground is paved.
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.