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POLAR BEAR camping has long been popular with Vermont Boy Scouts.  This year we hope that every Troop will TRAIN and TRY for a Polar Bear Experience, for Scouts who qualify.  Not all Scouts can make it.  It takes training, equipment and good planning.  It can become a real solid adventuresome Scout experience in proper planning and self-reliance.
 
Your unit can be a POLAR BEAR Unit in 2021-22.
 
Here’s How:

  1. The Polar Bear Camp out is held on a Troop or inter-Troop basis.
  2. It must be conducted between December 1st, 2021 and March 31st, 2022.
  3. The Unit Leader or Polar Bear Leader should attend a training that includes information on Cold Weather Camping.  These are usually conducted as a part of the District Round Table monthly meeting.
  4. A Training Session has to be conducted at the unit level for participants.  THIS IS MANDATORY.
  5. The Unit Committee is responsible for seeing that adequate health and safety standards are maintained.  Requirements for participation should be REGISTERED Scouts BSA who have had SEVERAL overnight camping experiences with their unit before attempting Winter Camping.
  6. The Polar Bear Camp Out must be conducted by sleeping outdoors in tents or in open front shelters or improvised shelters when the temperature is below 32 F for at least (20 to 24) hours.
  7. Upon completion, the unit files the camp out report.
 
Polar Bear is for Scouts BSA and Explorers and their Leaders!
 
Principle Resources include Camping Merit Badge Pamphlet; Field Book; Venture Program Book; talking with a Troop that has conducted successful Polar Bear Camp Outs in the past and other books on winter camping available at the Scout Shop or your local library.  There also many local men and women who are trained in winter survival that would be happy to assist you and your unit with Polar Bear Activities.