1,200 Scouts in Quincy for Presidents Trail Camporee
Participants worked on a large-scale community service project, hiked the Presidents Trail & celebrated America’s 250th
QUINCY, Mass. (Oct. 12, 2026) - More than 1,200 Scouts, leaders and volunteers spent the weekend camping at Merrymount Park’s Pageant Field and participated in a weekend of community service, urban hiking and celebration.
The event was produced by Quincy Friends of Scouting, Inc. (QFOS), a nonprofit group established to support and grow Scouting in Quincy, MA. QFOS’ goal is to remove barriers to youth participation in local Scouting programs and to foster community engagement.
Participating Scout Troops from across New England took part in a weekend chock full of activities, including participating in a large-scale conservation project and hiking the historic Presidents Trail. Troops also had the opportunity to take part in activities celebrating the 250th anniversary of our nation, as well as the chance to participate in a cooking competition judged by a local celebrity chef.
Camporee participants gave more than 2,600 hours of community service to the City of Quincy by planting more than 25,000 daffodil bulbs at Merrymount Park. Groups also hiked a 5 mile loop of the Presidents Trail, a unique, urban hiking trail through the heart of Quincy’s historic landmarks.
“The Presidents Trail was created to draw attention to the deep local history of the two U.S. presidents, John Adams, and John Quincy Adams, as well as John Hancock who was the President of the 2nd Continental Congress and the first governor of our Commonwealth,” said Ray Theberge, chairman of the Camporee and Quincy Friends of Scouting. “In addition to the deep connections between the Revolutionary War and presidential history of the 18th and 19th century, the Scouts learned about the long history of Scouting in Quincy and how it has served our community. By all accounts, the highly impactful weekend was a success and we hope will encourage our guests to return to learn and experience more about Quincy and to grow in Scouting and service to their own communities.”
Back at camp, Scouts were kept busy playing sports and games, working on pioneering skills, earning merit badges, or taking day trips to go rock climbing at Quincy Quarries or exploring the USS Salem. Several booths at the Camporee highlighted the nation’s semiquincentennial, including the creation of a time capsule and a chance to try out Colonial era games. Attendees enjoyed nightly shows featuring live music and entertainers and an enormous 120-pallet bonfire on closing night.
A highlight of the weekend was the Golden Ladle camp cooking competition, where troops prepared a camp meal to be judged by Laurence Louie, a Top Chef finalist and owner of Quincy’s acclaimed Rubato restaurant. Louie, an Eagle Scout himself, gave tasting notes and feedback to the young chefs and selected a gourmet mac and cheese as the winning dish.
The Presidents Trail Camporee was supported by a team of more than 100 volunteers and several local businesses and organizations, including Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch, Montilio’s, Eastern Bank, Keohane Funeral Home, Agnitti Insurance, Dunkin’, the National Park Service, the Quincy Department of Natural Resources, the Norfolk County Sheriff, Quincy Historical Society, The USS Salem, Coastal Medical Transportation Services, National Grid and the Quincy Chamber of Commerce.
To find out more about Scouting in Quincy visit quincyfriendsofscouting.org.
PTC2026_1.jpg - The Presidents Trail Camporee welcomed 1,200 Scouts, leaders and volunteers to Quincy Columbus Day weekend for several days of community service, history, hiking and celebration. Credit - Leo He
PTC2026_2.jpg - Participants in the Presidents Trail Camporee hiked a 5-mile historic trail through the center of Quincy, visiting with costumed historians at several of the significant sites. Credit - Leo He
PTC2026_3.jpg - Scouts from Abington’s Troop 41 helped to plant daffodil bulbs as part of a conservation service project at the Presidents Trail Camporee. Scouts gave more than 2,000 service hours, planting 25,000 bulbs in Merrymount Park. Credit - Jennifer Sammons
PTC2026_4.jpg - Chef Laurence Louie of Quincy’s Rubato restaurant judged the Golden Ladle camp cooking competition at the Presidents Trail Camporee. Louie, an Eagle Scout, was recently a finalist on Top Chef. Credit - Mandy Scaff
PTC2026_5.jpg - Scouts at the weekend’s Presidents Trail Camporee had the opportunity to take part in Colonial era games as they celebrated the nation’s 250th anniversary. Credit - Debra Worden
PTC2026_6.jpg - The Presidents Trail Camporee welcomed 1,200 Scouts, leaders and volunteers to Quincy Columbus Day weekend for several days of community service, history, hiking and celebration. Credit - Leo He
PTC2026_7.jpg - Quincy Friends of Scouting Chairman Ray Theberge greeted Troops as they arrived at The Presidents Trail Camporee over Columbus Day weekend. Credit - Leo He
PTC2026_8.jpg - Quincy’s Troop 6 constructed and lit a massive bonfire on Blacks Creek on the closing evening of the Presidents Trail Camporee. Credit - Leo He
###
About Quincy Friends of Scouting
Quincy Friends of Scouting is a 501(c)3 non-profit established to support and sustain Scouting in Quincy, MA. Our collection of volunteers provide resources (including people, materials and financial assets) to the greater Scouting community. Our goal is to remove barriers to youth participation in local Scouting programs and to engage the community at large. More information at www.qfos.org.