Night Ops
The Trail Life weekend of Night Ops: Camp Aiken is September 18-19, 2026 (Friday night event). Camping out on Saturday night is available (just let us know) but you must leave by noon on Sunday.
Troops should plan on arriving no later than 7:00 - 8:00 PM on Friday. Arriving by this time should give you time for setting up camp and for adults and youth to check-in at the command station. We aim to start the event around 9:00 PM so that we can end by 2 AM (5 hours). Late arrivals may not have as much time to complete the event.
Camp Merrill Ranger’s Open House
What: Camp Merrill Ranger’s Open House
Who: All Trailmen and Registered Adults
Where: 1 Camp Merrill Dr, Dahlonega, GA 30533 (see additional directions and information by clicking on the red View Event button below)
Costs: Free
Appalachian Trail Day Hike- Neel Gap to Hogpen Gap, 7 miles
What: Day Hike
Who: All Trailmen and Registered Adults
Where: Appalachian Trail, Neel Gap to Hogpen Gap
What3Words: https://what3words.com/plump.disconcertingly.fluff
GPS Coordinates: 34.743009, -83.920976
Costs: No fees
Airsoft (10 years old and up)
What: Airsoft
Who: All Trailmen, Adults, (10 years of age and older)
Where: Fort 13
What3Words: https://what3words.com/sheepdog.unwound.luxurious
GPS Coordinates: 34.484050781369056, -83.58558009630868
Costs: bring snacks and drinks to share
NERF Wars
What: NERF Wars
Who: All Trailmen, Adults, Family
Where: CMPCA
What3Words: https://w3w.co/survivors.unwind.pebbly
GPS Coordinates: 34.175355, -83.839111
Costs: bring snacks and drinks to share
Troop Campout
What: Troop Campout
Who: All Trailmen and Registered Adults
Where: Black Rock Mountain State Park, Camp TSATU_GI
What3Words: https://w3w.co/mallards.narrow.demonstrates
GPS Coordinates: 34.897274, -83.419098
Costs: $5/vehicle/night state park fee
Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing
What: OCC Shoebox Packing
Who: All Trailmen, and Adults
Where: CMPCA
What3Words: https://w3w.co/origin.conservation.narrate
GPS Coordinates: 34.175355, -83.839111
Costs: please bring supplies suggestions at https://sp-comm-arkfiles.s3.theark.cloud/website/pdfs/OCC/Gift-Suggestions/Gift-Suggestions-PDF.pdf?_gl=1*19tvnea*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NTg4OTkxMzIuQ2p3S0NBanc4OWpHQmhCMEVpd0EybzFPbjlidm81QXc1dkQydWZLeVdxOWxBblN1aFR3NnJmSmplX1dXaW9XSXhwV3BDWXlKSHpXODZSb0NXWm9RQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*NTc2ODY2MzM3LjE3NTg4OTkwOTU.
Flag Retirement Ceremony
What: Flag Retirement Ceremony
Who: All Trailmen, Adults, Family, Friends
Where: CMPCA
What3Words: https://w3w.co/kitchen.protect.amounted
GPS Coordinates: 34.175355, -83.839111
Costs: no fee
Northeast Georgia Fall Camporee
What: Northeast Georgia Fall Camporee
Who: All Trailmen and Registered Adults
Where: The Retreat at Long Mountain, 134 Long Mountain Rd., Cleveland, GA, 30528
What3Words: https://w3w.co/subtitles.helm.bookstore
GPS Coordinates: 34.551849, -83.786403
Costs: $15/trailmen, $10/registered adult. Paid for by Troop
Appalachian Trail Backpacking - Woody Gap to Neels Gap, 11 miles
What: Backpacking
Who: All Trailmen and Registered Adults
Where: Appalachian Trail, Woody Gap to Neels Gap
What3Words: https://w3w.co/bedtime.shell.multiplied
GPS Coordinates: 34.67781259397956, -83.99969666549377
Costs: No fees
Trail Life USA Night Ops Competition
What: TLUSA Night Ops Competition
Who: Navigators and Adventurers, Registered Adults (only those pre-registered for event)
Where: Camp Aiken, 10612 Augusta Rd, Belton, SC 29627
What3Words: rectangular.grandson.inbound
GPS Coordinates: 34.567800, -82.332493
Costs: $20/Trailmen, $10/Registered Adult
Troop GA-8611 Open House
What: Troop GA-8611 Open House
Who: All Trailmen, Adults, Guests
Where: Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church
Shooting Sports
What: Shooting Sports
Who: All Trailmen, Siblings, and Parents
Where: CMPC Lower Parking Lot, 4675 Winder Hwy, Flowery Branch, GA 30542
Costs: no cost
Troop GA 8611 Awards Ceremony
What: Awards Ceremony
Who: All Trailmen, Family and Friends
Where: 4675 Winder Hwy, Flowery Branch, GA 30572
Costs: no cost, please brings snacks for reception following the ceremony
Land Navigation / Trail Skills
What: Land Navigation / Trail Skills
Who: All Trailmen and Registered Adults
Where: Panola Mountain State Park Visitors Center
What3Words: sharpness.nappy.cascading
GPS Coordinates: 33.625670, -84.171359
Costs: $5 per vehicle state park fee
Aquatics Event
What: Swim Test and Aquatics Badge
Who: All Trailmen and Registered Adults
Where: Eagle Ranch Pool and Lake - what3words: guardian.believer.verging - coordinates: 34.127212, -83.853129
Once you enter the property, take the 1st left and go through the gate. Stay straight on that road for almost 1 mile and you will find the pool on the left.
Costs: no cost
Canoe-in Camping
What: Canoe-in Camping
Who: All Trailmen and Registered Adults
Where: Carters Lake - Woodring Branch Recreation Area Boat Launch
Costs: $5 per vehicle
Camp Merrill Ranger’s Open House
What: Camp Merrill Ranger’s Open House
Who: All Trailmen and Registered Adults
Where: 1 Camp Merrill Dr, Dahlonega, GA 30533 (see additional directions and information by clicking on the red View Event button below)
Costs: Free
Appalachian Trail Backpacking
What: Appalachian Trail Backpacking
Who: All Trailmen and Registered Adults
Where: Hightower Gap to Woody Gap (12.3 miles)
Costs: Free
Mt. Yonah Day Hike - Visit Helen, GA
What: Mt. Yonah Day Hike - visit Helen, GA
Who: All Trailmen and Parents
Where: Use coordinates 34.63732, -83.72564 into your GPS
Costs: Day Hike is Free (any food, activities, etc.. in Helen, GA will be on your own expense)
LEGO Derby
What: LEGO Derby
Who: All Trailmen, Siblings, Parents
Where: 4675 Winder Hwy, Flowery Branch, GA 30572
Costs: If needed (required wheels $5/set). Optional Baseplate $2 each
TLUSA/AHG Day at the Capitol
What: TLUSA/AHG Day at the Capitol
Who: All Trailmen and Parents
Where: Georgia State Capitol
Costs: Free Event (lunch provided)
Lost Sea Cave - Wild Cave Tour and Camping
What: Lost Sea Cave - Wild Cave Tour and Camping
Who: All Trailmen and Registered Adults
Where: 140 Lost Sea Road, Sweetwater, TN 37874
Costs: $49/person
Troop Nerf War
What: Troop Nerf War
Who: All Trailmen, Siblings, and Parents
Where: CMPC Covenant Life Center, 4675 Winder Hwy, Flowery Branch, GA 30542
Costs: $5/person for pizza, snacks, drinks
Tugaloo State Park Campout
What: Tugaloo State Park Campout
Who: All Trailmen and Registered Adults
Where: Tugaloo State Park (Pioneer Campsite) 1763 Tugaloo State Park Rd, Lavonia, GA 30553
Costs: No cost
Alabama Night Ops Competition
What: Alabama Night Ops Competition
Who: Navigators and Adventurers, Registered Adults
Where: Camp Onawa 302 CO RD 383, Billingsley, AL, United States
Costs: $25 per person (pay through the Pay Dues link above, or through https://paypal.me/Troopga8611)
Troop Campout
What: Troop Campout - Training Focus (Camping, Hiking, Outdoor Cooking, Fire Ranger, Woods Tools)
Who: All Trailmen and Registered Adults
Where: Victoria Bryant State Park, 1105 Bryant Park Road Royston, GA 30662
Costs: $5 per vehicle/day state parking fee (pay at park). Free state park passes available at local libraries.
Hike Currahee Mountain
What: Hike Currahee Mountain (6 miles in/out moderate to strenuous hike) and visit Currahee Military Museum
Where: Google Map Currahee Mountain Trail (next to Camp Toccoa)
Who: All Trailmen and Parents
Costs: Hike is free. Museum is $3 for everyone 9+ and free for everyone 8 and under (pay at Museum)
Swimming Test/Aquatics Badge
Who: All Trailmen
Where: Francis Meadows Aquatics Center, 1545 Community Way, Gainesville, GA 30501
Costs: $5.50 for just swim test / aquatics badge work. $7.50 for general admission for all attractions (pay at the gate)