Urban Backpacking — The Old New York Historical Trail

When and Where

When: April 18-19, 2026 , 7:00 am — 2:00 pm
Nights: 1

Location: Lower Manhattan / East Williamsburg, Brooklyn

On the weekend of April 18–19, 2026, Troop 23 takes on a different kind of backpacking trip — right here in New York City. We'll spend Saturday hiking The Old New York Historical Trail, a full-day guided walk through the streets of Lower Manhattan run by Kintecoying Lodge #4 of Greater New York Councils. The trail covers 44 historical points and 8 questions scouts must answer along the way — and every scout takes a turn leading with GPS and presenting readings from the trail guide.

After the trail, we head to East Williamsburg for an overnight at a private workshop space, with dinner, a rooftop campfire, and a movie night or karaoke to close out Saturday. Sunday morning wraps up with a service project before the subway ride home.

This trip combines urban hiking, American history, navigation practice, and overnight camping — without ever leaving the five boroughs.

The Old New York Historical Trail

The Old New York Historical Trail is one of several historical trails maintained by Kintecoying Lodge #4 (Order of the Arrow, Greater New York Councils). It's a walking tour through some of the most historically significant streets in the country — from colonial-era churches to the birthplace of American government.

The trail starts at Saint Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery (one of the oldest sites of continuous worship in New York, dating to 1660) and ends at the South Street Seaport. Along the way, scouts pass through Greenwich Village, Chinatown, Little Italy, Wall Street, and the Financial District — hitting landmarks like Fraunces Tavern, Federal Hall (where Washington was inaugurated), Trinity Church, and Castle Clinton.

Each scout receives a trail guide booklet with 44 points to find and 8 questions to answer. Scouts take turns leading the group using GPS and reading the historical notes aloud — building both navigation and public speaking skills. Completing the trail earns each participant a historical trail patch.

The trail takes 6–7 hours to complete at a steady pace, with a lunch break in Chinatown. No side visits — we stay on the trail.

Saturday, April 18 — Trail Day

7:00 am — Meet at OLA
~8:00 am — Arrive at Saint Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery (train from Bay Ridge, ~1 hour)
9:00 am – 5:00 pm — Hike the Old New York Historical Trail (44 stops through Lower Manhattan)
Midday — Lunch break in Chinatown
~5:00 pm — Trail ends at South Street Seaport

Evening — Camp Setup

From the Seaport, scouts travel to our overnight site in East Williamsburg — either by subway (~45 min to Montrose Avenue station) or by hiking across the Williamsburg Bridge (~4 miles). The route depends on how the group is feeling after a full day on the trail.

Dinner — If we take the subway: indoor cooking night (scouts prepare the meal). If we hike: pizza.
Campfire — Rooftop deck
Evening — Movie night or karaoke

The Overnight

We're staying at a private workshop space in East Williamsburg, courtesy of a friend of the troop. This is urban camping at its most creative — no tents required. Scouts can sleep under the stars on the rooftop or find a spot inside. There's a roof deck for our campfire circle and enough room for the whole troop.

This isn't a campground — it's a chance to experience the city in a way most people never do. After a day of walking through 400 years of New York history, spending the night in a working Brooklyn neighborhood is the perfect way to keep the adventure going.

Sunday, April 19 — Service Project

Morning — Service project at Castle Clinton (details TBD)
Afternoon — Subway back to Bay Ridge (~1 hour)
~2:00 pm — Arrive at OLA

Service project details will be posted as they're confirmed.

Meeting Point — Saturday Departure

Trail Start — Saint Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery

Trail End — South Street Seaport

What to Bring

This is a two-day urban trip — pack like a backpacker, not a camper. Everything you bring rides on your back for the full trail.

• ⧠ Backpack (day pack size — you're carrying it all day)
• ⧠ Comfortable walking shoes (broken in — you'll cover 8+ miles on Saturday alone)
• ⧠ Water — at least 2 liters
• ⧠ Lunch and snacks for Saturday (or cash for Chinatown)
• ⧠ Sleeping bag or blanket (lightweight — no tents needed)
• ⧠ Sleeping pad or inflatable mat
• ⧠ Change of clothes for Sunday
• ⧠ Rain jacket
• ⧠ Layers — April evenings can be cool on a rooftop
• ⧠ Flashlight or headlamp
• ⧠ MetroCard or OMNY-enabled phone/card
• ⧠ Pen or pencil (for the trail guide questions)
• ⧠ Phone with GPS (for trail navigation)
• ⧠ Class B uniform
• ⧠ Executed permission form from ScoutBook

Leave at home: tents, camp stoves, heavy gear. Travel light — this is urban backpacking.

Historical Trails and Urban Adventures

Troop 23 has a growing tradition of combining hiking with history. Over the past few years, we've explored historic warships with overnight stays aboard the USS Intrepid, the Battleship New Jersey, and the USS Slater. We've hiked through Harriman State Park and navigated orienteering courses in the Hudson Highlands.

This trip brings that same spirit to our own city — walking the streets where American history happened, sleeping under Brooklyn's skyline, and proving that adventure doesn't always require a long drive upstate.