Scout Weekend at Shawnee Mountain

Scout Weekend at Shawnee Mountain on March 7 and 8 offers Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Cub Scout troops special programming including commemorative patches, group ski lessons, and designated meeting areas on the mountain. The event runs both days during regular ski hours, typically 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., with scout-specific discounts on lift tickets ranging from $40 to $60 depending on age and whether you’re renting equipment. Shawnee Mountain sits at 401 Shawnee Inn Drive in Shawnee on Delaware, offering 23 trails across 125 acres with a vertical drop of 700 feet and night skiing under lights. Parking is free in the resort’s main lot, though it fills by 11 a.m. on busy weekends, making early arrival essential for securing a close spot.

The Pocono Mountains became a ski destination in the 1940s when post-war prosperity and improved highways made winter recreation accessible to Philadelphia and New York metro families. Shawnee Mountain opened in 1974, part of the broader Shawnee Inn resort that dates to 1911 when railroad magnate C.C. Worthington built a country club on the Delaware River. Scout Weekend has been an annual tradition since the 1990s, attracting troops from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York who use the event as a winter skills-building outing and troop bonding experience. The commemorative patches, designed specifically for each year’s Scout Weekend, have become collectibles among participants who return annually. March weather in the Poconos is transitional, with temperatures typically in the 30s and 40s, creating spring-like conditions on the slopes that range from soft snow to slushy runs by afternoon.

The event draws scout troops of all ages, from Cub Scouts experiencing their first ski day to older scouts working on winter sports merit badges. Group lessons are offered throughout the day, taught by Shawnee instructors familiar with working with young skiers and snowboarders. The resort’s base lodge includes a designated scout meeting area where troop leaders can gather groups, and the cafeteria offers affordable lunch options including pizza, burgers, and hot chocolate. If you’re traveling with non-skiing family members, the surrounding Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area offers winter hiking trails within a 10-minute drive, including the easy Dingmans Falls Trail to a frozen waterfall.

Turn Scout Weekend into a full Poconos trip by booking a rental on Lake.com near the Delaware Water Gap or in Shawnee on Delaware, where you’ll find properties with river access and mountain views. After skiing, grab dinner at Shawnee General Store (established 2006) for casual American fare, or head to The Deer Head Inn (1869) in nearby Delaware Water Gap for live jazz and upscale dining in a historic riverside setting. The weekend pairs naturally with a Sunday visit to the Pocono Environmental Education Center for guided winter nature walks or a drive along River Road (Route 611) for Delaware River overlooks, making it a family-friendly centerpiece for scout troops looking to combine winter sports, outdoor education, and regional scenery.