DB> I just got back from an overnighter on the U.S.S. 
 DB> Alabama with 15 scouts and 4 other adults.
 BP> Could you provide the details of who to contact, costs, 
 BP> and any other needed information?  We will be having 
 BP> our Troop planning meeting in a little over a month, 
 BP> and it would be nice to add a few new trips into the 
 BP> mix.
Cost is $15.00 per boy.  They have scouting patches caps and t-shirts for 
extra $$$.  Also a gift shop.  You can contact the USS Alabama Battleship 
Memorial Park at (334)433-2703.
Youth groups are allowed to stay in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th decks of the Foc'sle 
and a few decks in the Fantail.  There are microwave ovens and tables for 
eating on-board.  There are a two TVs fed by video tapes in the 4th Foc'sle 
deck galley area.  The ship is air-conditioned.  On the shore side, there is 
a picnic area with covered tables, but otherwise little shelter.
The park also features the U.S.S. Drum submarine, several planes and a flight 
simulator ($2.00 scouting discount admission).
There are alligators and poisonous snakes on the grounds.
We ate lunch at a rest area on U.S. near New Augusta, MS on the way down.  We 
arrived at about 2PM.  Our troop fried fish, hush puppies and fries at the 
picnic area for supper.  We stayed in the forward bunk area on the 2nd 
Foc'sle Deck.  The bunks are stacks of 3 / gangs of 6.  Anyone moving in any 
of the 6 bunks in the gang jiggled the other 5.  It took some getting used 
.
Lights out is at the discretion of the group leader.  We turned the lights 
out at about 10:30, but at least 2 scouts were up all night.  With the lights 
out, blue and red lights provide enough light to make your way to the head.  
At night, the youth are required to use flashlights while on deck.  The ship 
is area-lighted, but the deck is very uneven in places.
Sunday morning, we ate at Shoney's in Spanish Fort.  The trip was paid for 
using the troop's commission from Scout Show sales.  It cost us only $110 to 
feed everyone at Shoney's Breakfast Bar.
When we arrived, a crew member briefed the troop on the rules - no climbing 
and no running.  He said once they found scouts who had climbed to the top of 
the U.S.S. Drum's periscope.
The ship was originally used to house 2,500 sailors and marines.  I think 
about 500 youth can stay on it the way it is set up.
Check-in is anytime during the afternoon.  Check out time for the bunk area 
is 8:00 AM, but the youth can stay through the morning.
This was a fun trip for everyone.  I definitely recommend it for a weekend 
trip.
YIS,
Don
Assistant Scoutmaster, Andrew Jackson Troop 88
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