Introduction

Troop 174 will go to summer camp at the Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation.  Follow this link for additional information.

Summer camp is a golden opportunity for scouts to work on many outdoor skills, to advance in rank, and to earn merit badges, optimizing fun and opportunities.  For many scouts summer camp is the high point of their year.

Week 1 is July 3-9, 2005.  Week 2 is July 10-16.  Week 2 is our primary week.  We will use the Ranger site (middle of the map) at Camp Buckskin.  We share the Ranger site with Troop 164 from Yorktown Heights, NY.
 
 

What to do

1. Learn about Summer Camp

Read the Read 2005 Boy Scout Summer Camp Parents' Guide.  See Curtis Read Scout Reservation for all other details.  The guide below may help you navigate the most important things.

2. See Fees

See the fee schedule here.  $265 for one week, or $520 for two weeks.  Ask Barbara C. about the Canoe Trek fee, if interested.  Partial scholarships are available for families unable to pay the full amount; see Barbara C.

3. Fill out Medical form

3.1. Both camping with our troop and the high-adventure programs require medical forms.

Complete the Camp Read Medical Form Class 3, which can also be found on the last two pages of the Camp Read 2005 Boy Scout Parents' Guide.  This is a new form in 2005, so this year everyone must submit this completed form.  Then, Scouts and adults 40 years old and under submit the form every three years, adults over 40 every year.  Scouts doing high adventure activities must submit the medical form every year.  This requires a doctor's exam within the past 12 months prior to summer camp, which is why this item is early on this list.  Give the completed form to Barbara C.

The Medical form required by Read Scout Reservation differs from the National Class 3 medical form due to New York State requirements.  The New York State Health Code now requires information on three vaccinations that were not listed on previous forms.  These additional vaccinations are for haemophilus influenza type B, hepatitis B, and varicella (chicken pox).  The new medical form includes these vaccinations.  Please note that these vaccinations are not required to attend camp.  A record of whether or not each Scout and adult has had these vaccinations and, if they had them, on what date, is required to attend camp.  Standing orders for dispensing over the counter medications have also been added and must be completed.

3.2. For any camper to attend camp for seven or more nights, parents must fill out and attach the Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccination Response Form to the Class 3 medical form.

4. Fill out Permission form

4.1. Read Scout Permission Slip  Signed parental permission is required for optional activities, such as white water rafting, off-camp caving, water skiing, and the Forestry Merit Badge visit to a manged forest.  Give the form to Barbara C. by April 25.  There are fees for some of these activities.

4.2. On the same form signed parental permission is also required, if arrangements are made for someone other than a parent to pick up their son to leave camp for any purpose, including these activities.

5. Complete your schedule

Please note below that your merit badge schedule, reviewed by the Scoutmaster, is due by the April 25.

5.1. See the Merit Badge Schedule for the time of day each merit badge program is offered.

    First-year scouts are limited to

• Basketry
• Leatherwork
• Woodcarving


5.2. Find the program that is right for you.

    First-year scouts

First-year scouts should sign up for the Anthony Long First Year Camper Program (formerly known as the Dan Beard First Year Camper program) their first week.  It is designed to help the first-year camper "hit the ground running."  Outdoor requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class are covered.

Plan to attend the entire First Year Camper Program, including all three Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class sessions from9:00 a.m. to noon, or from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Tenderfoot:        9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.  or from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Second Class:  10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  or from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• First Class:       11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon or from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.


Try to take all morning sessions or all afternoon sessions, because sometimes the morning and afternoon sessions are a little out of synchronization.  Then, at other times one may sign up for a troop activity or for Basketry, Leatherwork or Woodcarving merit badges.  The evening make up is for merit badges only, not for the First Year Camper Program..

The First Year Camper Program takes priority over merit badges and troop activities (COPE course, climbing wall, etc.).

Consider buying before you go Basketry, Leatherwork, and Woodcarving kits from the Hawthorne Scout Shop at the Westchester-Putnam Council, 41 Saw Mill River Rd. (9A), Hawthorne, NY, (914) 773-1216.  They also may be purchased at camp (see Handicraft).

Read this Focus on the First-Time Camper article with general information for parents of first-time campers.

One does not sign up on the Troop 174 website for merit badges.  One gives the Scoutmaster (or his designee) a list with the scout's name and a prioritized list of merit badges, including the time of day of the merit badge since some merit badges are offered more than once a day.  If a scout is attending camp for two weeks each week's merit badge list should be made separately.  It is best if the first-year scout signs up for two merit badges if he takes the 9am to 12 noon First Year Camper program so that he can participate in the afternoon troop activities and complete two merit badges.

Sample Merit Badge Priority List
ScoutFirstName  ScoutLastName
Summer Camp Week 2
9 a.m.  Anthony Long First Year Camper program
10 a.m. Anthony Long First Year Camper program
11 a.m.  Anthony Long First Year Camper program
2 p.m.  Basketry (2nd choice Archery)
4 p.m.  Leatherwork (2nd choice First Aid)

First year scouts are limited to Basketry, Leatherwork, and Woodcarving because these are the easiest merit badges at summer camp.  If a first-year scout decides to not participate in the troop's afternoon activities then he could do the afternoon Basketry, Woodcarving, and Leatherwork.  But it will be more fun and better for a first-year scout to participate in the troop's afternoon activities and only do afternoon Basketry and Leatherwork.

Woodcarving is often done during the second week at summer camp.

If the scout follows the sample schedule for first-year scouts he will have afternoon Basketry and Leatherwork.  He will use all the available 7pm merit badge make-up time slots for making up missed classes, the only time available for make-up,  for Basketry and Leatherwork.

There is no merit badge makeup on Friday evening because the camp staff is busy completing and signing the merit badge blue cards which are returned to the troop leaders about 9 p.m. Friday night.

    First-Class and above scouts

Suggestion:  Take required Eagle merit badges and waterfront merit badges.  An experienced camper usually can complete four merit badges a week.

Check prerequisites on this page, which also identifies difficult merit badges for older scouts.  Complete prerequisites before you arrive at summer camp.

Some merit badges are limited by space available or scout age.  Examples are Swimming, Lifesaving, Rowing, Canoeing, Small Boat Sailing, Climbing, Rifle Shooting, Shotgun Shooting, Archery, and Horsemanship.

5.3. Troop activities are available if you want them.  The schedule is below.  There are fees for the troop picture, whitewater rafting, and horse trail ride.  There is no charge for the COPE course and for indoor and in-camp outdoor rock climbing.

    All scouts
 

Weeks 1-2 - scheduled troop activities
• Low COPE course, no fee.
• Indoor climbing wall, no fee.
• Whitewater rafting, $17 + Transportation.
• Horse trail ride, $12.
• Zip line, no fee.


Scouts may sign up for any troop activities they want, but to give everyone a chance there may be limits.  First-year scouts see section 5.2 above and 5.4 below for how to avoid conflicts with your First Year Scout program.  7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. is reserved for making up merit badge activity missed during the day.

The zip line is only for scouts who pass the Camp Buckskin swimmer test.  The zip line is a trapeze slide down a steel cable that ends with a refreshing plunge into Lester Pond.


    First-Class and above scouts
 

• high-adventure caving
• $40 per person, youth or adult for high adventure caving at Eagle Cave at Chimney Mountain in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area on Wednesdays.  Largest and most spectacular wild cave in the Adirondacks.  Rappel down a rope to enter the cave.  Must be 14 years old or older.  Trip will be lead by a professional licensed Adirondack guide.  Hours are after breakfast to 5 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Photos taken inside Eagle Cave.
• high-adventure rock climbing and rappelling in the Adirondacks
•  $40 in addition to camp fee for one day of Adirondack climbing and rappelling out of camp on Tuesdays.  Must be 13 years old or older.
• Consider also seeking other awards, Paul Bunyan Woodsman, and Mile Swim.
• The fee is about $30 for a half hour of water skiing out of camp.

5.4. By April 25

1. Print out and fill in your merit badge schedule card (two cards for two weeks, labeled Week 1 and Week 2).  Fill in your merit badges and troop activities.  The Scoutmaster can look over your card and advise changes.
2. Make a copy of your merit badge schedule card to bring to summer camp.
3. Make a prioritized list of desired merit badges.
4. Turn in to the troop both your Merit Badge Schedule Cards and a prioritized list of desired merit badges for the online signup.

For first year scouts their merit badge schedule card for their first week should have at most something like this example.  This scout has chosen a full schedule.  Other scouts may want more break time.

5.5. Around June 20 or so, check the Troop 174 password-protected pages to see if you got into the Merit Badge courses you wanted.  Look for the Summer Camp Merit Badge Registration list.

Print out a copy of the Summer Camp Merit Badge Registration list, tear out just your registration with the times, and take it with you to summer camp.

5.6. At the June XX Meeting for Camp Read Attendees meeting pick up your merit badge blue cards and sign out merit badge booklets from our troop library.

5.7. Do the merit badge prerequisites before going to camp, using the Merit Badge booklets you checked out.

You must bring to camp a note with an adult signature attesting that you have completed the prerequisites.

6. Register

6.1  Sign up here for summer camp by April 25.  First year scouts sign up for the Anthony Long First Year Camper Program (formerly known as the Dan Beard First Year Camper Program) for their first week.  On the sign up form parents may offer to help out at camp, and await a decision later as to who will go based on the ratio of scouts to available adults.

6.2. By April 25 pay the full amount.  Make the check payable to "BSA Troop 174", write in the memo section: "Week 1", "Week 2", "Both Weeks", or "Trek", and give the check to Barbara C.  After this date you have to take the money to Council, and note that fees increase on June 1.

6.3. By April 25 write a separate check for optional activities.  Make the check payable to "BSA Troop 174", write in the memo section what it is for, and give the check to Barbara C.

• High Adventure Rock Climbing and Rappelling, 13 years old or older, $40.
• Whitewater rafting, $17 + transportation.  Usually we use the Hudson River Rafting company for the Sacandaga River.
• High Adventure Caving, 14 years old or older, $40.
• One hour horse trail ride, $12.
• Troop picture color 8x10, $6.  (Troop Picture information.  Troop 174 low-resolution web troop pictures: 2001, 2000).
• Water skiing, $30.
• Horsemanship merit badge, $25.
• Portion, to be determined, of the $142 Canoe Trek transportation fee.

7. The Weeks Before Camp

Complete merit badge prerequisites before going to camp.  Proper documentation is required for credit for work completed before a Scout's arrival in Camp.

Bring a skit, maybe one of these skits for the Friday campfire program.

8. Pack for camp

Read supplies a two-person tent on a wood platform, a cot, and a mattress, as well as food.

8.1. Get supplies listed on the Camp Read Suggested Equipment List Scout Equipment.

8.2. Then, add to that suggested equipment list:

• Your merit badge blue cards, which you picked up at the Meeting for Camp Read Attendees in June.
• A copy of your Merit Badge Schedule, which you tore off of the Summer Camp Merit Badge Registration list in the password-protected pages.
• Insect control -
• Mosquito net.  Get this early, because they tend to run out of them close to summer camp.  Consider this a requirement, not optional, to create a bug-free sleeping barrier.  BSA sells one that fits the camp cots through their catalog as item D01490 for about $13.  It is a green rectangular net big enough to cover the cot and be tucked under the mattress to make a sealed enclosure for sound sleeping.  It measures 76" x 33" x 35" and fits the camp cots.  Mosquito nets that are other sizes may be too small or too large.  If in stock, one may be purchased at the Hawthorne Scout Shop (914) 773-1216 at the Westchester-Putnam Council 41 Saw Mill River Rd. (9A), Hawthorne, NY.
• Bring your own four poles to hold the mosquito net up over your cot.  These can be any kind of sturdy, straight sticks or 1/2 inch wide PVC pipe.  Best would be 2 poles 3.5 feet long for the edge of the bed by the sloping side of the tent and two poles 4 feet long for the edge of the bed near the center of the tent.  Arrive prepared to adjust the length.
• A roll of duct tape both to tie the cot legs to your poles so that they do not fall down, and for other uses.  Be sure to remove all of the tape when you leave.
• Avoid luring insects:  Bring only unscented soap and shampoo.  Use unscented laundry detergent to wash clothes before camp and to wash between the first and second weeks.
• A strong repellent with DEET is recommended, like Deep Woods Off or Cutter.  Leave mild repellents at home.
• Do not bring either aerosol or pump insect repellent, because of continuing and persisitent problems with scouts spraying them in the fire.
• Clothes -
• A backpack if you have one for clothes and equipment storage under your cot, better than a duffle bag or a trunk.
• A hanger for your official uniform.
• Clothes line for outside the tent and inside.  Use the inside line for your official uniform and swimsuit.
• T-shirts do not have to be scout t-shirts.
• Extra pair of broken-in shoes (bring sneakers and hiking shoes) and either pool shoes or sandals.  Long rubber rain boots are good for wading in shallow water.
• Swimsuit, big beach towel, and pool shoes or sandals should be packed on top, because the swim test will be given early upon arrival Sunday.  Wear a swimsuit during showers at camp, and pool shoes or sandals.
• Optional mesh laundry bag.  Airtight invites mildew.
• You may bring a costume to wear Thursday for the weekly camp theme:
• week 1 is Viking,
• week 2 is 1960's.
• Your Totin' Chip Card if you have one, if not you can earn a Totin' Chip card at summer camp.  If you have a Totin' Chip card and are an older scout, think about doing the Paul Bunyan Woodsman.
• A hot- or cold-liquid mug.
• More extra batteries for your flashlight beyond what you might imagine.
• No electronic games, no radios (except a Walkman with headphones), no Gameboys, but do bring books and other games, such as cards, board games, chess, checkers, etc. with pieces that can be found if dropped among leaves.
• You may wish to pack some money for snacks from the Trading Post near the dining hall, no more than $20 per week in small bills.  The scout should deposit the money with the adult leaders on Sunday and withdraw what remains on Friday.
• Do not expect to phone home from the pay phone.  There is one phone for 450 scouts.
• For scouts who want to write home, self-addressed, stamped envelopes with paper.
• A comfortable folding chair or camp stool.
• OA members should bring for Wednesday OA T-shirts worn during the day, and sashes for retreat.
• Label everything with your name.

9. Donate if you have extra

Camp Read requests that people who have certain items to donate please bring them to camp.  They want:

• Ball-peen hammers
• Gouges
• Chisels
• Bird cages
• Gerbil cages
• Fish tanks
• Floodlights
• Books and magazines on environmental topics and camping

10. Travel to Camp Read

Leave for Camp Read 6:00 a.m. or earlier Sunday morning.  Wear activity uniform.

Camp Read is in Brant Lake, NY, about a 4-hour drive 200 miles north of Westchester, about a half hour north of Lake George.

Google map: In the white bubble use the "Directions To Here" link to get driving directions.

Troop 174 does not provide transportation to Camp Read.

See the Getting to Camp page for Council -

• Transportation by bus, and fees.
• Driving directions to Read Scout Reservation and Brant Lake area map

Bring a bag lunch or eat an early lunch before you arrive on Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

Then, see the map for the parking area and Ranger site at Camp Buckskin.

11. Arrival at Camp Read

• Arrive at 10:00 a.m. Sunday.  Wear activity uniform.
• Park in the designated Camp Buckskin parking area near the dining hall.
• Meet at the Ranger site at Camp Buckskin.  Bring all your gear, and move into your tent platform.  Change into your swimming suit, and have your prescription medications ready to take to the medical recheck.
• See The First Day in Camp on the Camp Buckskin page.
• The Trading Post by the Camp Buckskin dining hall will be open Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., so you may buy if you wish camp t-shirts, merit badge kits, etc.
• Always use the buddy system.  Scouts do not wander off alone.
• Parents may help their son move into his tent platform, and may go with our troop on the Sunday afternoon medical recheck, swim check, and camp tour.
• Tell the adult leaders any dietary preferences or restrictions.
• Parents and other family members are welcome to visit camp.  Visitors are required to report to the Reservation Central Office to obtain a visitor’s badge.  Parents and other family members on day visits, not part of the official troop staff, should pay in advance $3 for breakfast, $4 for lunch, $5 for dinner, and $3 overnight.  Space is limited.  Tell Barbara C. the day and meals, and pay her in advance.  To ensure that there is enough food at each meal, Barbara C. must inform the Reservation Office a minimum of three days before expected visitors arrive.  Due to the number of campers, seating for visitors may be limited at some meals, particularly Sunday evenings.
• Daby's General Store, which has a deli and groceries, in downtown Brant Lake closes at 1:00 p.m. Sunday.

12. Between the first and second week

• There is no adult supervision over the weekend.  Parents are responsible for their son.
• Parents and their son may sleep Saturday night in tent platforms.
• No meals are provided.  No Saturday lunch through Sunday lunch.  The next meal is Sunday supper.

13. Pick up scouts at Camp Read at the end of the week

• Before 9:30 a.m. Saturday scouts should have completed checkout, be picked up, and on their way home.