2018 Camp Birch Webelos Resident Camp Information Guide

Transcription

1 2018 Camp Birch Webelos Resident Camp Information Guide

2 A Letter From the 2018 Camp Staff Greetings, We at Camp Birch would like to thank you for choosing us for your Summer Camp! This year is very special for us marks the 80th year that Camp Hugh Taylor Birch has been in operation. Back in 1938, Camp Birch started as a 30 acre plot that was donated by a successful lawyer and philanthropist Hugh Taylor Birch. The Boy Scouts in the area finally had a property of their own that could be used for all things Scouting. Over the years, our property has expanded, and many people have begun their journey of leadership right here in our home. We feel like Camp Birch is home for many people s Scouting adventure. This year for Webelos Camp, we have our eyes set on the stars as we Blast Off into Space, A New Frontier. We will be working through the advancements with a bit of intergalactic flair. Help us to train our future space explorers and scientists as we make our way through the cosmos. We are looking forward to seeing you at camp this summer. Let s make this an exciting summer together and keep our Scout spirit shining bright! Sincerely, The Camp Birch Staff

3 Registration Fees must be paid in full for a participant to sign up for adventures and activities. Be sure to have accurate t-shirt sizes for all participants so we can make sure that all of your Camp Birch t- shirts are the right size. Extra shirts can be ordered for $12 each (or $14 for XXL and XXXL). Qualified Leadership Reminder for all units, while at Camp your unit must meet the minimum number of leaders for the BSA Youth Protection Guidelines. To help with that, there will be no registration fee for the minimum number of leaders, but there will be a $45 charge for every additional adult to cover the cost of food and facility. All unit leaders must be registered adults in the Boy Scouts of America and be current with their Youth Protection Training. If your Pack has an issue with getting the minimum number of required adults, please contact the Camp Director at ben.honefanger@scouting.org Campsite Your campsite is your home for your week of camp. We ask that you treat it as your home. If there is anything you need or if an issue arises, let us know and we will accommodate your needs to the best of our ability. When you check-in, your unit will be assigned a staff guide. This guide will do a walkthrough of your campsite to check and see if there are any needs and make sure any issues are addressed as soon as possible. We understand that normal wear and tear happens, but per our policy, your unit will be charged for any damage over normal wear and tear. During your walkthrough with your staff guide, if you see any existing damage be sure to let the guide know so that your unit will not be responsible for the cost of repair or replacement. Each site has designated fire rings, please be sure to keep all fires in the fire ring to keep our impact to a minimum and our youth safe. As a unit, you have the option to bring your own tents or use tents and cots provided by camp. If you use camp provided tents, your staff guide will show you how to set them up, and help you set them up if needed. These tents are the standard canvas BSA wall tents. During registration, be sure to let us know if you would like to use camp tents and cots. Driving Policy, Handicapped Access, and Limited Mobility Camp Birch has a strict no driving policy for our participants to keep all potential accidents to a minimum. This includes people with state issued handicap placards. We do have specific handicapped spaces in our parking lot. For transportation on Camp for those who require it, we have a golf cart that can be arranged to help make camp more accessible. Medical Forms Anyone who will be staying at camp or participating in activities must have a complete BSA Medical Form. This includes parts A, B, and C. This is for the safety of all participants, youth and adult, to insure that in the event

4 of any situation the proper care can be provided. The medical forms must be turned in no later than the 10 Day Out meeting for your unit. Our medical staff will go over these to make sure that all parts are filled out and will contact the unit if there are any questions. We ask that you turn in a copy, not the original. It is easier for your personal record keeping to hold on to the original. These Medical Forms will be returned to the unit in your exit packet. Medication at Camp Each unit will be provided with a locking medication storage box with a log sheet. Since the unit leaders know their youth s medication needs from weekend camping, they are able to insure that all of their youth are getting their medications on time with less potential for unexpected delay. If there are any temperature control requirements for medications, please inform the medical staff upon check-in so we can accommodate. Dietary Restrictions If any of your participants have dietary restrictions, please note it on their medical form as well as during registration in the Special Needs box. We want to ensure that everyone is able to have plenty of food during their stay at Camp Birch. We also understand that some people prefer to take care of their own dietary restrictions, if that is the case we are able to store food for those with dietary restrictions who choose to bring their own. If there are any specific requirements for dietary restrictions, please contact the Camp Director at ben.honefanger@scouting.org CPAP Needs If anyone in your unit has the need for electricity for a CPAP, please let us know as soon as possible so we can take the necessary steps to accommodate. We will be able to get power to most campsites, but be sure to bring outdoor extension cords to get power to your tent. Some of our sites already have power in them, these include: Blue Jacket, Daniel Boone, and Kit Carson. If you already have a battery powered CPAP or are planning on purchasing one, we can charge the batteries at camp. Hazing, Bullying, and Abuse Camp Birch has a zero tolerance policy for hazing, bullying, intimidation, and abuse. If you see or suspect any of this type of activity, report it to the Camp Director immediately. Tobacco The Boy Scouts of America discourages the use of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaporizers. Anyone under the age of 18 is not permitted to possess or use any tobacco or e-cig product. For adults who use these products please keep it out of sight of any youth, staff or other leaders and a minimum of 50 feet away from any building or tent.

5 Animals in Camp Camp Birch is nestled in a very wonderful area surrounded by nature preserves and protected land. This means we have a lot of wildlife around us. Please do not hurt, handle, or try to move any of the wildlife. If you have any wildlife issues, please inform the Camp Director as soon as possible so the issue can be resolved. Also, please make sure that no animals are being taken to our Nature Lodge, we are not an equipped rehabilitation center. Participants, leaders, and families are also not allowed to bring any pets to camps. Uniforms Uniforms are a very important part of the Scouting program. At each flag ceremony, breakfast, and dinner we encourage all people in camp to come in their Field Uniform (Class A). During the rest of the day the full uniform is not recommended due to heat, hygiene, and the fact that uniforms are expensive. We recommend that during activities and while around your campsite, you and your youth wear Pack or Scout t-shirts, or even your camp t-shirt! Spirit Days Different days during the week will have different Spirit Day themes. The themes this year will be Crazy Sock Day and Crazy Hat Day. Be sure to bring your best items to join into the fun! Den Leader Meeting Every day at camp we will be holding meetings for Den Leaders. These meeting will cover special information throughout the week. We will also be talking about issues and concerns you may have. Campfire As part of our program, we will be holding two campfires each week in our Council Ring. The first is on Sunday night where the staff will put on skits and songs for your entertainment. There will also be staff introductions so you can get to know the folks who will be taking care of you during your stay at camp. The second campfire is on Tuesday night. This is the campfire where the Packs put on the entertainment for everyone else in Camp. Before the start of these campfires, we will have a mobile Trading Post set up in the back of the Council Ring where you can purchase a snack or drink for the show. Trading Post During your stay at Camp, we invite you to stop in at our Trading Post. We have special Camp Birch merchandise, a selection of camping supplies, snacks, and many other goodies you may want during your stay with us. We take cash as well as credit or debit cards. For the convenience of you and your youth, we also

6 offer the option to load and use gift cards. The use of gift cards may help prevent loss of cash for Scouts. Once a gift card is loaded with funds, the card is good in the Camp Birch Trading Post or the Council Scout Store. Camperships We want all Scouts to be able to come to camp, and money should not get in the way of that. If a Scout and their family cannot afford to cover all of the camp fees, we have a Campership fund that can help offset costs. The Camperships Application along with the requirements to qualify can be found at Just because an application is turned in, does not mean that the funds will be awarded. Campership Applications are due to the Council office by March Day Out Meeting The 10 Day Out Meeting is an important meeting for your Den Leader/Cubmaster to attend. A lot of information is going to be exchanged at this meeting. These will be held 10 days before your week at camp. All final paperwork and payments must be submitted at this meeting. This meeting is where you will also get your Scouts activity schedules. Things to bring: all Medical Forms, complete roster, any special mobility needs, and special equipment needs. This will be at 7:30 pm in the Turner Building on June 21. Advancement Tracking We will give each Pack the requirements that were covered in the activity classes in their exit packet, as well as online access to this information. At Camp, we do not sign books. It is up to the Den Leaders and parents of the Scouts to determine if they have completed the requirements before it is signing off on them. Evening Activities During our evenings at camp, we will be holding some open and special activities. Some of these include: open swim, open climb, open boating, open shooting, and other special evening activities by specific areas. Most will be running from 7 to 9 pm. Family Night Family Night will be on Tuesday evening of Webelos Camp. Families are invited to come out and join us for an evening of fun. During registration, please be sure to add any additional meals needed for Family Night. There is a $5 charge per additional meal. If your families would like to bring in food for your Pack to enjoy in your campsite, that is also an option. Family Night will conclude with a Campfire that evening where the Packs and Dens put on the skits and songs.

7 Program Areas and Prerequisites Aquatics Camp Birch has both a pool and lakefront for activities. The pool is where all our swimming based activities take place, while all things boating happen down at our lakefront. Climbing Our climbing tower is three stories with three climbing sides and one repelling side. In addition to climbing sessions that can be signed registered for, we will also offer open climbs. Dining Hall Our Dining Hall is not just a place to grab a bite to eat, it's also a program area full of fun and fellowship. Each table has 8 seats with at least one for an adult leader and one for a staff member. We serve our meals family style with plenty to go around. Your unit will get more information about how the Dining Hall runs during the camp tour. Attached to our Dining Hall are modern bathrooms with showers. These bathrooms are open 24 hours, so feel free to use them as needed. Handicraft Handicraft is in the Kiwanis Building (same building as the Trading Post). This is where you ll find things like Art Explosion and Build It as well as evening craft activities. Nature and Ecology The Nature Center at camp is in Carmony Lodge, but one of the nice things about being in the outdoors is that the classroom for Nature and Ecology is all around us. Our Nature staff utilizes different areas of the property to help reinforce knowledge, as well as show how our world works where it is happening. Outdoor Skills Here is where Scouts can learn how to use basic Scout skills and take them to the next level. If your Scouts are wanting to challenge and expand their knots, fire building, and camping skills, this is the place for them. Outdoorsman and Webelos Walkabout are some of the activities found here.

8 Shooting Sports Our Shooting Sports area is a very exciting place this year! Since last summer, we have built a new Rifle Shooting Pavilion thanks to a donation (and some help) from the Fairborn Cement Company. This new pavilion has a larger covered shooting area; as well as, a larger covered observation and teaching space. Come out and enjoy BBs and Archery while you re here. Sample Daily Schedule 7:45 am - Opening Flag in the Parade Field followed by Breakfast 9 to 10:25 am - Session 1 10:30 am to 12 pm Session 2 12:15 pm - Gathering for Lunch at Parade Field 1:00 pm - Pack Time (campsites) 2 to 3:25 pm - Session 3 3:30 to 5 pm - Session 4 5 to 5:30 pm - Pack Time in Campsites 6 pm - Closing Flag in the Parade Field followed by Dinner 7 to 9 pm - Evening Program (open areas and activities varies by day) 10:30 pm - Lights Out (enforced by Unit Leaders in their own campsite)