Water & Woods Council Boy Scouts of America NEW BOUNDARIES, NO LIMITS PREPARED FOR ADVENTURE OCTOBER 18-20, 2013 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. What is meant by,? The Scouting program in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan has experienced a decline in membership beginning in the early 1970s. The decrease in population was due to the economy in Michigan and the resulting outmigration of population, jobs and industry. The Area Project began in 2010 and studied the best way to deliver Scouting in area 2. The results of the area project were the Crossroads Recommendation. The recommendation proposed that the nine councils in Michigan merge into one large council. As a result, in 2012, four field service councils were created consisting of former councils: Gerald R. Ford Council and Scenic Trails Council merged into President Gerald R. Ford Field Service Council Lake Huron Area Council, Blue Water Council, Tall Pine Council and Chief Okemos Council merged into Water & Woods Field Service Council Southwest Michigan Council and Great Sauk Trail Council merged into Southern Shores Field Service Council Great Lakes Council renamed to Great Lakes Field Service Council With the merger New Boundaries were established, but with these new boundaries we were not limited to attending local events, hence No Limits. Add to this the new BSA marketing slogan of Prepared for Adventure. 2. When and where is the Water & Woods Camporee? The Water & Woods Camporee will take place October 18-20, 2013, at the Midland County Fair Grounds, 6905 Eastman Avenue, Midland, Michigan. It will focus on the activities of Scouting and the universal Brotherhood of Scouting. 3. What is planned for the Camporee? Fun filled activities will take place for all Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Teams, Crews, Ships and Posts. There will be an Exhibits Center, along with Day Shows that will happen throughout Saturday. 4. What time on Saturday will the activities begin? Activities will begin on Saturday at 9:00 am and end at 5:00 pm. Activities are listed on the Website.
5. Can Cub Scouts Camp at the Camporee? Cub Scouts and Webelos are welcome to camp for the weekend with their Family, or to spend just the day, Saturday, October 19. They must camp with their family in the Family Camping Area, not with a Den Leader or with a Boy Scout Troop. Those camping for the weekend may arrive as early as 4:00 pm Friday October 18. 6. What is the price to attend the Fall Camporee? INDIVIDUAL/CONTINGENT REGISTRATIONS FEES: EARLY BY SEPT. 23 RD REGULAR SEPT. 24- OCT 4TH LATE OCT 4- OCT 14 PARTICIPANTS: CUB SCOUT,BOY SCOUTS, VENTURERS, SEA SCOUTS, EXPLORERS YOUTH WEEKEND CAMPING $30.00 $40.00 $45.00 CUB SCOUT, BOY SCOUT, VENTURING, SEA SCOUTING, EXPL. ADULTS WEEKEND CAMPING $20.00 $30.00 $35.00 CUB SCOUT YOUTH DAY (SATURDAY ONLY) $20.00 $25.00 $30.00 CUB SCOUT ADULT DAY (SATURDAY ONLY) $10.00 $15.00 $20.00 SCOUTING FAMILY WEEKEND CAMPING ELECTRICITY NO $70.00 $80.00 $90.00 ADD ELECTRICITY $17.00 PER NIGHT $17.00 PER NIGHT $17.00 PER NIGHT NON-SCOUT VISITORS* $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 STAFF $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 *Visitor's meal is not included in the price. All others include Saturday lunch. Early registration deadline is July 31st Regular Registration Deadline is September 15 Late Registration Deadline is October 14 th There will be no refunds. There will be no Weekend Camping Walk-ins.
7. What is included in the price of admission? A multitude of fun filled, age appropriate, activities, events, and shows during the day Saturday, October 19, 2013. A patch to all participants. Lunch on Saturday. A Saturday evening spectacular Arena Show. 8. Is there a fee to enter MCFG? No. The registration fee includes parking and entrance to the MCFG. 9. Will I be able to buy Water & Woods Fall Camporee souvenirs? You may purchase Water & Woods Fall Camporee T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, a baseball cap and other items at the event. Some items will include the Water & Woods Fall Camporee logo. All items are available in youth and adult sizes. Additional participant patches may be available for purchase. Special commemorative patches are also available. You may also order a limited edition set of Michigan Cross Roads Council Fall Camporee patches at the event. 10. Is my pack, troop or crew required to file a Tour and Activity Plan (TAP) to attend the Water & Woods Fall Camporee? Regardless, the tour and activity plan is an excellent tool that should be included in preparation for all activities, even those not requiring it. It guides a tour leader through itineraries, travel arrangements, two-deep leadership, supervision qualifications, and transportation. Link to TAP http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/680-014.pdf
11. What is the appropriate attire during the Water & Woods Fall Camporee? Cub Scouts and their leaders are encouraged to wear either their Cub Scout uniform or a Scouting Activity Shirt. For Boy Scouts, Ventures, Teams, Posts, Ships, their Field Uniform is to be worn during the Saturday evening arena show and the Sunday Religious service. An Activity Uniform may be worn throughout the day on Saturday. 12. Will food and beverages be available for purchase during the Water & Woods Fall Camporee? *For those who preregister, lunch on Saturday October 19, will be provided. We will have food vendors coming in for you to purchase snacks and other food or drinks. 13. How does my pack, troop or crew register for the Water & Woods Fall Camporee? Troops, Crews, Posts, Teams, and Ships need to register online as a unit using the Council s website. Registration is quick and easy. Cub Scouts need to register online as individuals, or as a Den or Pack if coming for the day Saturday only. If Cubs are planning on spending the weekend, they need to register as a family unit or register with their parent, whichever is most cost friendly for you. Den or Pack camping is not approved for this event. All Cub Scouts must have a parent(s) camping with them if spending one or two nights. On arrival at the Water & Woods Fall Camporee all Troops, Crews, Posts, Teams, Ships must submit a unit roster form. Unit roster forms are available on the Council s website. 14. Is the Water & Woods Fall Camporee open to Scouts from other councils and countries? Scouts from other FSC s, councils and countries are welcome and encouraged to participate in the Water & Woods Fall Camporee. The admission fee is the same for out of council participants. 15. Will religious services be offered during the Water & Woods Fall Camporee? An Interfaith Worship Service will take place as part of the Water & Woods Fall Camporee on Sunday AM. 16. Will we have access to electricity in the camp sites? Electricity will not be available in the Troops, Crew, Posts, Ships camping sites for general use. Electricity is available in the family camping area. A $17.00 per night fee will be charged. You will need to register and pay online for this ahead of time to reserve your site. 17. What is the size of a camp site? Troop and Crew camping sites are 40 x 100. Each site size is designed for 50 campers. If a Troop or Crew has more than 50 people camping then expanded campsites will be assigned for every additional 25 participants.
18. Will we be able to camp with other troops in our District? While camp sites will be assigned, it might not be next to another group from your area. 19. Can we leave or Troop trailer on the camp site? Troop trailers may remain in the troop/crew site for the duration of the weekend. Tow vehicles must be removed from the camp site. No motor vehicles will be allowed to stay in a camp site. For safety reasons, vehicles WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to travel in the camping areas or throughout the activities areas. 20. Will ground fires and portable fire pits be allowed during the Water & Woods Fall Camporee? There will be no ground fires (camp fires) allowed during the Water & Woods Fall Camporee. City of Midland ordinances do not allow unapproved camp fires. Troops will be allowed to use gas/propane stoves and charcoal grills in accordance with the BSA s Guide to Safe Scouting. 21. Will potable water be available for our use at the MCFG? Potable water (fresh water) will be available in the camping area. You may have to haul water a short distance. 22. What are the plans for the disposal of waste? You must take with you what you bring. 23. Will we be allowed to dig any holes or ditches during the Water & Woods Fall Camporee? No digging, holes or ditching of tents will not be allowed at MCFG. 24. Are troop gateways encouraged or allowed? Troop gateways are not required. If you bring one, it must be portable. You may not dig holes. If your troop does not already have one, do not feel the need to make one. Just come and have fun. 25. May we bring a pop-up trailer, other trailer or RV to camp in? Pop-up trailers, other trailers and RV s can be brought to the Water & Woods Fall Camporee for family camping. However they will not be allowed in Troop/Crew campsites. A family camp area has been set aside for RV s and Cub families that tent camp for the weekend. An extra $17.00 per night fee will be charged if electricity is needed 26. What if it rains? We ll do what Scouts frequently do go full speed ahead! Please check the weather forecast and dress for the weather. 27. Are Health Forms required for Scouts to participate in the Water & Woods Fall Camporee?
YES! Each Scout participant should have a current Annual Health and Medical Record. Only parts A & B are required for the Camporee. Health Forms will be held by the unit leader. 28. Why are photo releases requested? Water and Woods FSC would like to use photos and videos taken during the Water & Woods Fall Camporee for promotional and marketing purposes. Water & Woods FSC respects the privacy of all our scouts, therefore no names will be published when utilizing photographs for printed and electronic media. Photo Release forms are Part B of the BSA Health Form required for any Scouting activity. If you have a scout who may not be photographed, please have this info on your roster at check-in. 29. How can I get more information about the Water & Woods Fall Camporee? Additional information related to the Water & Woods Fall Camporee may be found on the Council website or the Water & Woods Fall Camporee Facebook page. Everyone is urged to visit those sites frequently. They will be updated on a regular basis. 30. I have a disability and need to use a motorized vehicle to get around; will I be allowed to do so? We will try to accommodate all individuals with disabilities. If we know ahead of time it will allow us to prepare better to help you. No Cars/Trucks/Vans will be allowed to move through the activities area. 31. I have a great idea for the Water & Woods Fall Camporee, who do I contact? Please send an e-mail to tomapes1@aol.com 32. I want to serve on the Water & Woods Fall Camporee staff, who do I contact? Please send an e-mail to tomapes1@aol.com 33. Are Hotels, Restaurants, and Retail Stores close by? Yes, all are within easy access of MCFG. Available Hotels in the Fair Grounds area include: SLEEP INN 2100 W WACKERLY ST, MIDLAND, MI (989) 837-1010 SLEEPINN.COM HAMPTON INN MIDLAND 6701 EASTMAN AVE, MIDLAND, MI (989) 837-4000 HAMPTONINN.HILTON.COM SPRINGHILL SUITES MIDLAND 800 JOE MANN BLVD, MIDLAND, MI (989) 837-2700 MARRIOTT.COM HOLIDAY INN HOTEL MIDLAND 810 CINEMA DR, MIDLAND, MI (989) 794-8500 HOLIDAYINN.COM MIDLAND RESORT AND CONVENTION CENTER 1500 W WACKERLY ST, MIDLAND, MI (989) 631-4220 MIDLANDRESORTHOTEL.COM FAIRVIEW INN 2200 W. WACKERLY, MIDLAND, MI 48640 (989) 631-0070 FAIRVIEWINNMIDLAND.COM
Rev 06/4/13