Team Outdoor Rigorous Challenge (TORC)

Transcription

1 New River District Fall Camporee: Team Outdoor Rigorous Challenge (TORC) September 15-17, 2017 Camp Ottari >>> Camp Powhatan Welcome to the 2017 New River District Fall Camporee also known as the second annual Team Outdoor Rigorous Challenge (TORC). This will be a camporee unlike anything that you have ever experienced, and we are going back to basics: This will be a true patrol competition without adult interference, and the patrols will be camping out in the mountains of the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation (BRSR) as they backpack from Camp Ottari to Camp Powhatan! The Blue Ridge Scout Reservation (BRSR) measures 13,671 contiguous acres, and it is the largest Scout reservation in the US second only to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. Both Camp Ottari and Camp Powhatan are located within the BRSR, connected by approximately 85 miles of maintained trails. PATROLS: Each patrol will consist of 5-8 Boy Scouts. It is preferred that they are all from the same patrol within their troop, but patrols may be composed for the occasion from within a troop or from multiple troops. Each patrol must have at least two (2) Scouts that have earned at least First Class rank. The patrol members must register together, and the registration fee is $50.00 per patrol. ADULTS: Each patrol must register at least two adults to help staff the event. The adults may register by troop or individually. The registration fee is $2.00 per adult. The role of the adults during the camporee is to provide vehicle transportation for the Scouts in their troop (to Camp Ottari, and from Camp Powhatan), assist with staffing the stations (see below), and otherwise leave the Scouts alone. All adults must be current with BSA Youth Protection Training (Y01). The Program is quite simple: The patrols will gather Friday night at Camp Ottari to get ready for the Team Outdoor Rigorous Challenge (TORC) starting the following day. Friday night we plan to offer zip-line night flights (arms and legs illuminated by glow sticks) and campfire with hot chocolate and marshmallows. Saturday we kick off the TORC with stations along the way to the top of High Knoll and Bench Mountains, where the patrols will camp out. Then on Sunday morning, the patrols continue backpacking down to Camp Powhatan. The route and overnight campout location will differ from last year s event. The patrols will be backpacking and navigating independently by themselves through the backcountry. There will be no stalking by adults: Adults that stalk their patrol will disqualify their patrol. In short, the program looks like this: Revision: August 16, 2017 Page 1 of 9 New River District Fall Camporee 2017.docx

2 Friday, September 15, :00 Troops begin to arrive and set up camp at CAMP OTTARI Registration at the Parade Field shelter. 19:30 Registration closes for the evening 19:30 SUNSET 20:00 Evening activities: Zip-line night flights, campfire, hot chocolate, marshmallows 03:08 MOONRISE - 15% visible Saturday, September 16, :06 SUNRISE 07:30 Registration resumes at the Parade Field down by Lake Ottari 08:15 Registration closes 08:30 Opening ceremonies STATION #1: Camp Ottari Parade Field... Organized by Troop 158 adults Equipment shakedown Distribution of patrol assignments to be turned in after dinner STATION #2: Mountain Man Outpost (1.0 miles)... Organized by Troop??? adults Fire building skills STATION #3: Laurel Hollow Cabin (2.3 miles)... Organized by Troop 152 adults First aid skills STATION #4: High Lonesome Cabin (0.8 miles)... Organized by Troop 704 adults Radio tracking skills 17:00 Set up camp on top of High Knoll and Bench Mountains (0.4 miles) Points will be awarded for on Leave No Trace (LNT) performance 19:00 Turn in patrol assignments that were distributed at the Camp Ottari Parade Field 19:29 SUNSET 04:13 MOONRISE - 8% visible Sunday, September 17, :41 Begin civil twilight 06:45 Patrols wake up 07:00 Scout sunrise service - a Scout is reverent We will hopefully be able to offer various denominational services (please volunteer) in addition to a Scout-led non-sectarian service 07:07 SUNRISE 07:45 Patrols depart campsite 5 minutes apart (order and route by lottery) Points will be awarded for on Leave No Trace (LNT) performance 09:20 Patrols begin to arrive at the Tipi camp site at Camp Powhatan (3.5 miles) 10:15 Deadline to sign in at the Tipi camp site at Camp Powhatan without point penalty 10:30 Award ceremony at the Tipi camp site at Camp Powhatan Parade Field 11:00 Depart Camp Powhatan Revision: August 16, 2017 Page 2 of 9 New River District Fall Camporee 2017.docx

3 CAMPING: Friday night camping will be at Camp Ottari down by the Parade Field. The patrols will camp out, as distinct patrols, at the Cheyenne, Mohawk, Comanche, and Navajo campsites; while the adults will camp out at the Monetan, Mandan, and Sioux Village campsites. Patrols do not have to participate Friday evening, but may arrive Saturday morning. The patrols will camp out Saturday night as distinct patrols in the backcountry, high up in the mountains between Camp Ottari and Camp Powhatan. Adults may choose to camp at the Monetan, Mandan, and Sioux Village campsites at Camp Ottari; or at the Tipi campsite at Camp Powhatan but not in the Adirondack shelters. Adults that are staffing the end station at Camp Powhatan Sunday morning should camp out at the Tipi camp site Camp Powhatan but not in the Adirondack shelters. Adults that are staffing the event in the backcountry may camp out in the vicinity (but at a distinct distance) of the youth. BACKCOUNTRY NAVIGATION: Each patrol will independently navigate through the backcountry of the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation (BRSR). Each patrol will be provided with a map of the BRSR. Upon departure Saturday morning, each patrol must demonstrate that they have two (2) baseplate compasses (see two examples on page 339 in the new Boy Scout handbook, 13 th edition), and at least two patrol members that have earned First Class rank. Revision: August 16, 2017 Page 3 of 9 New River District Fall Camporee 2017.docx

4 SCOUT SPIRIT: Each patrol must stay together at all times during the Team Outdoor Rigorous Challenge (TORC). The patrols will be scored on both arrival and departure from the stations, and at occasional spot checks along the route: Are all the patrol members present and together? That is, not spread out or straggling? Are all the patrol members friendly, courteous, and kind to each other and others? Are all the patrol members cheerful? Do all the patrol members know their patrol name and patrol yell? Is the patrol carrying their patrol flag with pride? WATER REQUIREMENT: There is no water on top of the mountains between Camp Ottari and Camp Powhatan. It is therefore critical that every person that will be spending Saturday night on top of the mountain (including all the Scouts) have at least two (2) liters of water with them when they arrive at Station #4. It is therefore recommended that the patrols filter and refill their water bottles before they climb the mountain (e.g., between stations #2 and #3). BACKCOUNTRY COOKING: With the exception at Station #2, all cooking in the backcountry must use a lightweight backpacking stove. No campfires will be permitted due to the lack of water on top of High Knoll and Bench Mountains to completely put out a fire. BACKCOUNTRY FOOD & TRASH STORAGE: All food and trash on top of High Knoll and Bench Mountains must be stored in a bear canister or in a bear bag. The patrols are responsible for bringing the bear canisters and/or bear bags that they need, and for safely locating and setting up their bear bags. See pages in the new Boy Scout handbook, 13 th edition. It is recommended that the patrol test their food storage capacity prior to arriving at Camp Ottari. SHELTER: All the members of a patrol should camp together, distinctly separated from the other patrols, so that there is no doubt as to where one patrol campsite ends and where the next one begins. The patrols can camp using tents, hammocks, and/or tarps. Hammocks must use wide straps to prevent damage to the trees. Hammocks should avoid pine trees because they are more susceptible to damage. Adults must not share tents, tarps, and/or hammocks with Scouts, and must camp away from the patrols. Revision: August 16, 2017 Page 4 of 9 New River District Fall Camporee 2017.docx

5 CRITICAL PATROL GEAR: Each patrol must demonstrate that it has the following gear upon departure Saturday morning from Camp Ottari: Patrol flag Patrol first-aid kit (see page 109 in the new Boy Scout handbook, 13 th edition) Lightweight backpacking stove (gas) Rain gear for all patrol members Shelter for all patrol members Containers for three (3) liters of water per patrol member (such that at least two liters of water reaches the top of High Knoll and Bench Mountains Saturday afternoon) Backcountry food storage system (e.g., bear canisters and/or bear bags) At least two (2) baseplate compasses Writing equipment (e.g., pen, pencil, paper) STATIONS: The stations will contain activities that are based on what patrols with First Class Scouts should be very capable of completing: Station #1 Surprise Besides a quick equipment shakedown before the patrols head out into the backcountry for their overnight adventure, the patrols will also receive a few tasks for them to complete before arriving at Camp Powhatan the next day. These assignments will be from the new (2016) Scout / Tenderfoot / Second Class / First Class requirements. Station #2 Fire building Make sure that you know how to light and build a fire, make use of that fire, and properly put out that fire, all without leaving a trace. Come prepared. Station #3 First aid Accidents do happen, especially for people that are not prepared. Of course, your patrol is not only prepared so that you avoid accidents, but you are also prepared to help those that are not prepared and get into an accident. Come prepared. Station #4 Radio Fox Hunt This is a classic Boy Scout outdoor activity. Instead of using map and compass to locate orienteering markers, use a radio receiver to home in on a radio transmitter hidden in the terrain. Equipment and training will be provided. You might also need to receive and decode a secret Morse code message. And who knows what other fun things might take place on top of High Knoll and Bench Mountains Saturday afternoon SCORING POINTS: The maximum patrol score for the Team Outdoor Rigorous Challenge (TORC) is 730 points, distributed as follows: Revision: August 16, 2017 Page 5 of 9 New River District Fall Camporee 2017.docx

6 Station #1: Shakedown & trail assignment 115 points 20 pts Shakedown inspection 80 pts Trail assignments, due at 7PM Saturday evening Station #2: Fire building & cooking 115 points 100 pts Fire building & cooking Station #3: First aid scenario 115 points 100 pts First aid scenario Station #4: Water check & radio fox hunt 115 points 20 pts Every patrol member has 2+ liters of water 80 pts Radio fox hunt Saturday evening campsite inspection 115 points 5 pts Patrol eats dinner together 5 pts Patrol said grace at dinner 20 pts Food & trash storage is animal resistant 20 pts Patrol members are camping together as a patrol 20 pts Toilet area has been designated per LNT standards 15 pts Quality of dinner 15 pts Camp ground is clean; no food spills 10 pts Overall excellent LNT level Revision: August 16, 2017 Page 6 of 9 New River District Fall Camporee 2017.docx

7 Sunday morning campsite inspection 115 points 20 pts Bringing all food & trash home 20 pts No tree damage 15 pts Covered up cat holes 20 pts Everyone has had a warm breakfast 15 pts Camp ground is clean; no food spills 10 pts Overall excellent LNT level TORC finish 40 points 5 pts Arrive together 5 pts Patrol yell on arrival 25 pts Patrol flag inspection REGISTRATION: All patrols and adults must register ahead of the event. The deadline to register for the event is 2:00PM, Friday, September 8, Later registrations cannot be accommodated. Please use the registration forms on the following two pages, or transmit the equivalent information to: Susan McKimmy, Blue Ridge Mountains Council, PO Box 7606, Roanoke VA , tel: (540) , fax: (540) , Susan.McKimmy@scouting.org. QUESTIONS: Please direct questions concerning this event to: Richard Quintin rquintin@vt.edu tel: Revision: August 16, 2017 Page 7 of 9 New River District Fall Camporee 2017.docx

8 New River District Fall Camporee: Team Outdoor Rigorous Challenge (TORC) PATROL REGISTRATION: Adult point of contact: September 15-17, 2017 Camp Ottari >>> Camp Powhatan Name: Troop: Address: Telephone: ( ) - PATROL NAME: 1. Troop Name: FIRST CLASS SCOUT #1 2. Troop Name: FIRST CLASS SCOUT #2 3. Troop Name: 4. Troop Name: 5. Troop Name: 6. Troop Name: Optional participant 7. Troop Name: Optional participant 8. Troop Name: Optional participant REGISTRATION FEE: $50.00 per patrol Please register with Susan McKimmy, Blue Ridge Mountains Council, PO Box 7606, Roanoke VA , tel: (540) , fax: (540) , Susan.McKimmy@scouting.org. Please make checks payable to BRMC. Code: 6FAL7 Revision: August 16, 2017 Page 8 of 9 New River District Fall Camporee 2017.docx

9 New River District Fall Camporee: Team Outdoor Rigorous Challenge (TORC) ADULT REGISTRATION: Point of contact: September 15-17, 2017 Camp Ottari >>> Camp Powhatan Name: Troop: Address: Telephone: ( ) Name: 3. Name: 4. Name: 5. Name: 6. Name: 7. Name: 8. Name: 9. Name: Name: REGISTRATION FEE: $2.00 per adult Please register with Susan McKimmy, Blue Ridge Mountains Council, PO Box 7606, Roanoke VA , tel: (540) , fax: (540) , Susan.McKimmy@scouting.org. Please make checks payable to BRMC. Code: 6FAL7 Revision: August 16, 2017 Page 9 of 9 New River District Fall Camporee 2017.docx