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Camp Pouch through High Rock Park. If you thought that high adventure in Staten Island was not possible, think again! A Scout Troop in NYC can use the Greenbelt in Staten Island to backpack into Camp Pouch. The Greenbelt is 2,500 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and open fields. A green oasis in the middle of Staten Island that Camp Pouch is a part. The best part of the trip is that it can be done easily with public transportation. Take the R train to 86 street station in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. Take S53- from 86 and 4th Ave. across the bridge to Castleton Ave and Clove rd. Transfer to the S54 and get off at Rockland Ave. and Manor rd. Take Yellow dot trail to top of Moses Mountain(200 feet). Here you will find a beautiful view of the Greenbelt all the way to the water. Moses' Mountain was formed by the rocks removed to construct the Staten Island Expressway in the early 1960's. Go down Moses Mountain across Manor Road toward High Rock Park on the yellow dot trail. You will pass other nature trails but basically they all lead into high rock park. After you pass the lavender trail(swamp trail) look for the blue dot trail. If you like you can take the lavender trail(swamp trail) to the blue dot trail. Take the blue dot trail north past Moravian cemetery and it will pass through the back of Camp Pouch near Lake Ohrbach. Leaving Camp: The hardest part of backpacking is breaking camp in the morning. To have a complete backpacking experience the troop could use a different trail route out of Camp Pouch. Return to the blue dot trail and continue on it North. This will take the troop to Ocean Terr.. Make a left on Ocean Terr. to Manor Rd.. Here you can pick up the S54. Follow the bus directions backwards to return home. Note: When in High Rock Park you can go to the Urban Ranger Building and get a trail map of the Staten Island Greenbelt along with a schedule of activities of the park. With this map your troop can plan different variations of this trip. The Greenbelt also makes for great day trips. Hope to see you on the trail.
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