Special Programs

Mountain Adventure

The Mountain Adventure is a High Adventure program for your experienced scouts who have been to camp for a couple of years.  Activities such as mountain biking, climbing, rappelling, backpacking and overnight treks are just the beginning.  Scouts can sign up during camp for any of the adventures offered. Merit Badges offered are: Climbing, Hiking, and Backpacking.

If you’re Troop, Patrol, or group of older Scouts would like to do a Trek lasting longer then two days, one night you will need to plan these treks with Mt Norris before you arrive at camp as these treks will have a Camp Staff member guide. Our best treks are hiking on the Long Trail. We can do canoeing treks on the Winooski and depending on water levels on the Missisquoi and Lamoille River.  

Contact the Camping Department at the Council Service Center for information about our Treks or to register your troop for a trek.

The Counselor-in-training

The Counselor-in-Training Program is for scouts that are 15 years of age at the start of the camping season.  The program is geared to recruit potential staff members and expose them to the many facets of the summer camp program while grooming them for positions as staff members.  The training syllabus is developed to teach them the various skills needed to be a successful staff member.  Part of the training involves working alongside the program staff in their areas.  Time is allotted for work on merit badges.

The program runs over a two-week period.  Scouts who successfully complete the Counselor-In-Training program may be invited to return as interns for the duration of the camping season.  At the end of the summer, the senior staff makes a final hiring recommendation for next year.

Conservation Projects

Each troop is encouraged to participate in a conservation project at camp.  A list of conservation projects has been compiled according to the Camp Conservation Plan.  Please seek out the Ecology/Conservation Director for a project.  Projects include erosion control, stream improvement, forestry, perimeter trail development, and wildlife habitation.  Please receive approval for all site improvements from the camp commissioner or ranger.

Senior Patrol Leader’s Council / Special Programs

The Senior Patrol Leaders’ Council meets daily and is an opportunity for your youth leadership corps to meet with the Program Director and discuss any needs they may have.  They can plan the “Special Program Activities” and any “camp-wide games” the troops would like.  They will also work on the Friday evening campfire.  Some “Special Program Activities” might be: a dusk canoe/kayak hike looking for loons or a night hike up Mt. Norris or a grab-bag challenge.  If your troop is a good cooking troop, you may want to consider the “Iron Chef” challenge.  Your troop youth leadership decides a significant part of the day-to-day program opportunities.  They are strongly encouraged to bring new suggestions and ideas to the table.

Leader’s Program

In general, most activities available to scouts are available to leaders as well.  A weekly horseshoe tournament is also available.  Adults are eligible to earn the Mile Swim BSA and BSA Guard.  In addition, the following training opportunities are available: Youth Protection Training, Watermelon Shoot, Safe Swim Defense, Climb on Safety, Safety Afloat, and Venturing Fast Start.

Order of the Arrow in Camp

The Order of the Arrow is an honor society for scouts elected by their troop because of demonstrated leadership and camping ability.  There are representatives of the brotherhood in camp and available to talk to you and your scouts about the OA.  Wednesday afternoon is the OA service project, to be determined and planned by the camp OA chief.  Members of the Order who have completed 10 months as an Ordeal Member may complete their Brotherhood conversion in camp on Wednesday night. Ask the OA Camp Chief for more information and to sign up. A cracker barrel for all Order of the Arrow Members is Wednesday night as well.

Troop Program Activities

We encourage you to spend time together and experience camp as a troop.  All troop and patrol activities should be scheduled with the individual area directors.  The only limit is the extent of your imagination.  Troop activity sign-up can happen any time throughout the week, but space is limited. Troop activities should be scheduled with the individual area directors.