Camp Program
Program Philosophy
It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping to instill values in young people, and, in other ways, to prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential. The values we strive to instill are based upon those found in the Scout Oath and Law.
Scout camping provides the place, the leadership, and the programs to achieve the purposes of scouting. Summer camp provides an organized setting for a scout to learn and practice these skills. Under his unit leadership and with the camp staff support, the scout will be able to enjoy and experience a wide range of activities. The camp staff exists to serve your troop and to help your scouts get the best possible experience at camp. Keep in mind, however, that the staff supplements your troop leadership-- it is not a substitute for it.
At the Green Mountain Council camps, we believe a good program reflects the needs, interests, and goals of the individual, patrol, and unit leadership. We strive to achieve a good balance of advancement, Scoutcraft, adventure, and learning activities to complement your year-round program.
Some Do’s and Don’ts on Camp Programming
- DO set the tone that will give your unit real class. Insist on good manners, good fellowship, clean sportsmanship, clean fun, and a clean camp.
- DO require patrols to plan and carry out some things that they want to do.
- DO have enough programs to keep everyone busy.
- DO allow for and suggest some things to be done with a pal or two.
- DO be sure there are personal achievement, advancement possibilities, and fun in the program.
- DO keep in personal touch with what’s going on in the unit.
- DON’T allow too much advancement to be planned by the individual scout. Camping should be relaxing, too.
- DON’T be alarmed if things happen that are not in the schedule. Some circumstances warrant changes in plans.
- DON’T judge the success of camp solely by advancement. Ask: did the scout have fun?
- DON’T give boys a title and a camp leadership job and then do it all yourself.
- DON’T permit a camp violation or error in operation to persist or continue. Stop and show – correct the situation. A scout camp is a training ground. Be kind but firm when necessary.
Do enjoy yourself and don’t hesitate to ask for help!!!
The First Class Adventure
First Class Adventure is a program for FIRST YEAR SCOUTS and is designed to teach the skills necessary to complete the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class requirements. This is accomplished through a progression of skill training done in the First Class Adventure training area.
The scoutmaster can use the program two ways. One, the scout can come down for the entire program and participate in all the activities, or they can come at selected times, when select requirements that are needed will be taught. The times and days that the requirements are taught will be listed in the F.C.A. area. The intention of this schedule is that it be used as a guide and help the new scout understand the open schedule concept. The skills will be taught at the scheduled times so there can be a progression of learning; however, if a scout has the skills for Tenderfoot and Second Class, he can work on First Class skills any time during in the week. The skills are taught to the scouts, but it is up to the Troop Leaders’ Council to test those skills. Time is allotted for work on two merit badges. It is recommended the First Year Scout select the swimming merit badge, if he is a Red, White, and Blue swimmer. He can also choose Mammals or Fishing merit badge. The Handicraft Lodge can offer Art, Basketry, Leatherwork, Sculpting, or Model Design and Building. Those Scouts who are White or Red and White swimmers will have time allotted for Instructional Swimming. The goal behind this is to get the scout more comfortable with the water and to teach him basic water skills.
Monday evening, there will be a special campfire for all NEW scouts: Tuesday we do Totin’ Chip and Firem’n chip, and on Thursday, the First Class Adventure will take a 5-mile hike into the mountains with a trail lunch. The scouts’ participation in the hike is the scoutmaster’s decision, however. It is seriously recommended that he attend as several requirements are completed on the hike.
The First Class Adventure Program
Welcome to the First Class Adventure! This is a full week of activities and skills for you to participate in and enjoy. We plan to integrate the skills listed in the Scout Handbook with fun activities to teach and support the troop program. You will have the opportunity to go to all of the different skill areas and activities like:
- The Camp Color Guard
- First Aid Skills
- Knot Tying
- Swimming
- Merit Badges
- Hiking
- Orienteering
- Lashings
- Fire Building
- A very special campfire!
This adventure is for you, “The new scout”! Everything done in this program will bring you closer to earning your First Class rank. Scouts will also have the opportunity to earn their Totin’ Chip and Firem’n Chit. Scouts participating in the First Class Adventure program should come prepared with day-hiking gear. The adventure will begin each day in the First Class Adventure area at 9am. From there, instruction on scouting skills will take place through the scheduled activities.
At the end of the week, your scoutmaster will receive a list of all the skills you have completed during your stay at Mt. Norris.
Thank you for joining in on the Adventure!
Flexible Scheduling
Summer camp is a wonderful opportunity for scouts to work on advancement that is often difficult to accomplish outside of camp. We offer advancement opportunities for scouts at any stage of their scouting trail. Aside from the traditional merit badge offerings at all Boy Scout Summer Camps, we also offer coaching and instruction in the requirements of Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks in our First Class Adventure Program.
We offer what we call Flexible Scheduling. This way, the responsibility for learning a skill rests on the scout’s determination and will. Some activities are strictly scheduled and taught while others are “open”, depending on the specific activity, safety concerns, etc.
The scout is free to set his own schedule to fit his needs. We believe this freedom of choice results in the scout feeling better about the choices he has made and leads to more responsible behavior on his part. It is never too soon for a young man to learn to take responsibility for his own actions and to manage his time in a thrifty fashion.
Please remember: The program staff is hired to instruct the skills needed for the merit badges. All leaders are welcome to offer their own talents to further the scouting program here at Mt. Norris.
Selecting Merit Badges
Selecting merit badges depends on a variety of factors: the scout’s age, abilities, and the troop’s year-round program. As the leader, your signature on the scout’s blue card attests to his ability to complete the skills needed. The signed blue card must be given to the instructor before the scout can begin to work on the skills. Each scout’s schedule should be challenging, but attainable. A review of individual scout advancement desires and needs is suggested by early June. During these planning sessions, distribute the degree of difficulty and the list of suggested requirements to be completed at home. Boys should be instructed to choose through the list of available merit badges that he wants to earn in his week. A scout is at camp to have fun, not to be frustrated with incomplete merit badges. He should come prepared for the merit badge sign-up Sunday.
Merit Badge Prerequisites (work that can not be done at camp)
The staff at Mt. Norris takes pride in the fact that every skill needed for a badge at camp is truly mastered. No merit badge requirements can be waived to make up for the fact that it cannot be completed in a camp situation. Every skill must be met for the merit badge to be earned, including those requirements that cannot be done at camp. A scout can bring his work to camp on these requirements and complete the merit badge or he can finish the work at home. He will be given the name and contact information for a counselor in his area. It is recommended that scouts complete any requirements that they can before arriving at camp, particularly requirements that require extensive writing. Scouts should bring their work or proof of their work to camp.
For the benefit of scouts trying to choose merit badges, we have rated the difficulty of each badge offered at camp using the following scale:
- fairly easy
- average, can usually be completed in one week at camp
- difficult, requiring hard work and time commitment
- difficult, usually requiring special skill, knowledge or experience
- impossible to complete in one week at camp without prior work
Merit Badge Sign-up
Merit badge sign-up takes place immediately following dinner Sunday evening. Scout leaders should work with boys prior to coming to camp to develop a list of priorities and goals. We do not want to deny any boy access to any merit badge; skill sessions are limited to 16.
New Merit Badges for 2008
The 20088 camping season will have two new merit badges offered:
- Photography * Scouts will need a camera
- Medicine *
Handicraft
Our handicraft area is very popular among scouts in camp and may be extra busy in the afternoon with the First Class Adventure Scouts for Scouts not in the First Class Adventure program have them plan to do Handicraft in the morning. We offer instruction in Art, Basketry, Leatherwork, Sculpting, Wood Carving, and Model Design and Building merit badges. The Handicraft Lodge will be open from 9 am to noon, 2–5:00 pm and in the evenings, and will operate on an open schedule. Scouts may show up at the lodge and can begin working on the merit badge of their choice any time the Handicraft Lodge is open. Please note Scouts should plan to arrive at the Handicraft Lodge on the hour the first time.
Ecology / Conservation
We offer an instructional setting with displays, animals, and an opportunity to get involved in the environment. The Ecology/Conservation Lodge provides ample resources for nature study.
The following merit badges are available: Astronomy, Bird Study, Environmental Science, Fish & Wildlife Management, Geology, Mammal Study, Nature, Soil & Water Conservation, Oceanography and Weather.
Special programs may include: a Scavenger Hunt, Plant ID, Swamp Walk, Microscopy and Star Gazing. We can also help run service projects or conservation projects for a single scout or your troop.
Special ** First AiD/ Emergency Preparedness/bugling/Golf
The Health Lodge offers instruction in basic First Aid skills. The instruction primarily focuses on First Aid, Emergency Preparedness and Medicine merit badges. Due to the classroom nature of these badges, they need to be scheduled. If possible, instruction and certification in adult CPR will be available. Bugling will be done on an open schedule. Any Scout or Camp Leader who wants to bugle, whether it’s Taps, Reveille or during Color Guard, should let the Program Director know so he can find a time for everyone.
Golf Merit Badge is very popular and will be offered in 2008. Mt Norris has clubs for Scouts that can not bring theirs. This Merit Badge is met for Scouts 13 years old or older. There is a $20.00 Green Fees required.
Scoutcraft
The one program area that distinguishes scout camp from every other camp is Scoutcraft. This is the heart of the scouting program. Scoutcraft skills are one of many things that separate the Boy Scouts of America from other youth organizations and activities. Recognizing this, we offer an exciting, skill-oriented program in this area. We offer instruction in Camping, Cooking, Hiking, Orienteering, Pioneering, and Wilderness Survival merit badges. Scoutcraft also offers special programs such as Paul Bunyan Woodsman, Cooking and Pioneering Competitions, etc.
Field Sports
The Field Sports area will be offering instruction in Fishing, Fly-Fishing, Sports, Athletics, and Personal Fitness merit badges. This area will also be responsible for helping with troop Volleyball, Soccer, Games and evening camp-wide games. Etc...
Shooting Sports
We offer instruction in Archery, Rifle Shooting, and Shotgun Shooting Merit Badges. There is also time for Muzzle Loading and Troop Shoots at both the Archery and Rifle Ranges. Due to the intense popularity of these activities, we do ask that adults be prepared to volunteer with the shotgun trap or the ranges.
Aquatics
The waterfront is a very popular area at camp. We offer instruction in Swimming, Rowing, Canoeing, Lifesaving (need Swimming MB), Sailing, Waterskiing (need Swimming MB), and Motor Boating merit badges (need license for motor boating) as well as Snorkeling BSA, Boardsailing BSA (need Sailing MB), BSA Lifeguard, and Mile Swim BSA. These are strictly scheduled, due to safety concerns of having scouts in the water and provisions for the necessary supervision during instruction.
The waterfront staff also offers Instructional Swimming for scouts and adults. Adult leaders are encouraged to take BSA Guard, and/or consider volunteering a few hours of their time guarding at the waterfront. It frees up the staff to work directly with the scouts.
Other special programs offered include an early morning Polar Bear swim, troop swims, Waterfront Games, and more.
Climbing / High Adventure
The skills for the Climbing, Hiking and Backpacking Merit Badges are taught at the Keyser Lodge.
Climbing is on our indoor climbing and rappelling wall and cliffs around camp.
How to Fill Out a Blue Card
** Complete “Application for Merit Badge” section. Remember to sign the bottom and
** Your Troop Number on all three sections.
** Applicant’s Record (name and badge) and Counselor’s Record (name, unit, and badge)
Please remember!!
The only place the unit leader is to sign before the scout learns the skills that will earn him the merit badge is on the front of the card. Only after the scout has completed the skills do you sign on the Applicant’s Record. This states that the scout did indeed complete the skills for the merit badge
Merit badge blue cards are available at the camp office at no charge.