Monday, June 16, 2008

 

Brad Midgley, Scoutmaster

 

Dear Troop 862 Parents or Guardians:

 

Four of our Adult Leaders, Jay Fletcher, Assistant Scoutmaster, Keith Davis, Assistant Scoutmaster, Bill Wahoff, Troop Committee Chair, and I will be at Camp all week this year during "Third Session," June 29 to July 5, to work with your sons.  We look forward to our time with our Scouts every year and therefore take that week as vacation from work every year.  The Seven Ranges Scout Reservation Program is very demanding and keeps the boys busy on a fairly constant basis.  Pipestone requirements, campsite inspections, merit badge and sometimes rank requirements, campfires, contests, meals in the dining hall and in the campsite require significant adult assistance behind the scenes with the boys to permit them to have an excellent Summer Camp experience.  Given our commitment to this endeavor, we greatly appreciate your commitment to having your son(s) attend Summer Camp at Seven Ranges during the Third Session.

 

The purpose of this letter is to express our deep encouragement of all Scouts to attend summer camp and to provide detailed information regarding the 2008 Troop 862 summer camp.  The Troop Web Site, www.bsatroop862.org, contains a Seven Ranges page with forms for physical examinations, leaders guide, merit badge requirements, that should be reviewed with your son.  Seven Ranges Scout Reservation, is operated by the Buckeye Council BSA.  Seven Ranges is located 30 miles South East of Canton just off U.S. Route 30.  The attached directions give more detailed information.  See our main Seven Ranges page for links to the Seven Ranges website at www.7Ranges.org

 

Summer camp is an important part of the Scouting experience.  It provides an extended continuous scouting experience that permits scouts to make significant progress in advancement and binds the Troop more firmly together.  In fact, more advancement is made, on the average, at summer camp than during the balance of the year.  Seven Ranges offers a full range of scout skills training classes, merit badge classes and other interesting programs.  (Please refer to the attachments containing merit badge information.  We must register Scouts for merit badge classes on-line in advance.  Please submit a list of merit badges that your Scout wishes to take before we leave to the Senior Patrol Leader.)  While advancement opportunities are offered, Seven Ranges presents a balanced program that has an emphasis on fun.  Most instructional classes are scheduled in the morning, leaving the afternoons open for scouts to utilize the program areas at their leisure.  The shared experiences at camp result in anecdotes that survive for years. 

 

In short, we believe that all scouts who do not have prior commitments to family should attend summer camp.  However, an opportunity exists for scouts with prior commitments to attend a summer camp as part of a provisional troop.  This option should be avoided when possible.  Please contact the Scoutmaster for more information.

 

Several adult leaders from the Troop have committed to attend summer camp for the week.  We encourage any adult, who has the interest, to come and stay a few days.  Additional help is particularly useful at the end of the week to permit Boards of Review to be held for Scouts earning rank advancement during the week.  It is not uncommon for Scouts to make two rank advancements while at summer camp.

 

The fee for summer camp is $230.00 for scouts.  Adult fees are $80.00.  We have paid an early registration fee for 25 Scouts. This will entitle the first 25 submitting payment to receive a $30.00 discount for early payment.  New Scouts receive the discount automatically.  Make all checks payable to BSA Troop 862.  Scout accounts may be used to cover a portion or the entire fee.

 

Scouts may wish to bring spending money for snacks, crafts and the like.  We feel that a budget maximum for spending money is $50.00.  The amount is to be determined by the Scout and his parents.

 

The Class 1 and 2 medical form (Class 3 for adults) in the attachments is required to register for summer camp.  No scout or adult staying for the week can be registered without this form complete and including the signature of an appropriate medical practitioner.  The Philmont, Sea Base or Northern Tier (Ely) medical forms are acceptable when accompanied by a current emergency medical authorization (included on the attached medical form).  The good news is that for Scouts the form is good for 3 years with an annual reauthorization for emergency medical treatment.  Adults 40 and over must be examined every year.   Please schedule an appointment now, if you or your Scout needs a medical.

 

     Most BSA summer camps include a camp honors program.  Receiving a PIPESTONE is a symbol of successful completion of the Seven Ranges camp honors program.  The camp honors program is strictly voluntary.  However, we strongly recommend that all Scouts participate.  Scouts must demonstrate advancement, swimming proficiency, nature study, service to the camp and scout spirit (These parallel the requirements for the ranks in Scouting).  And, any prospective candidate must spend the entire week in camp.  There are five levels to the program.  Only one level may be attained in a year.  The program has a history going back over 82 years and is available only at Seven Ranges.  Troops come from as far away as North Carolina, New York, Florida and California year after year so their Scouts can earn this honor.  Troop members have been attending Seven Ranges for the past ten years.  All those who have earned their first, second, third and fourth level award are eager to obtain the next.  This award is very special and would lose its significance if given away.  Therefore, scouts will be evaluated critically but fairly to preserve the value of this honor.  One item that may be prepared prior to camp is pipestone wood.  It is the first requirement of the camp honors program.  Pipestone wood is dead, naturally barkless hardwood, 12  inches long and between one-half and three-quarters inch in diameter.  It must be straight with a minimum of branch stubs (like a pencil).  Pipestone wood may not be cut with knife or axe or saw.  It must be broken.  We will schedule opportunities to gather pipestone wood during the coming weeks so this task does not become a burden at camp.  It is strongly recommended that Scouts collect pipestone wood before summer camp.

 

Seven Ranges has a formal retreat (flag lowering) ceremony every day following the evening meal.  Scouts and leaders are expected to be in the complete BSA uniform.  We ask that every Scout and registered leader have a complete uniform at Camp.  Older Scouts may have out grown uniform components that can be obtained through personal contacts.  The Troop has a small quantity of used uniform components available.  As usual, Troop 862 will travel in uniform.  Each Scout is required to be in uniform for the trip to Seven Ranges.   Otherwise, the acceptable attire for camp is casual consisting of shorts (pants), plain or scout related T or sweatshirt and shoes.  The potential for injury to unprotected feet is high.  Persons are required to wear shoes with toe covering any time they are not at the waterfront or in the shower.

  

 The following is a list of personal items to bring to camp:

 

 MEDICAL FORM 

 MEDICINE, AS REQUIRED, IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITH CURRENT 

            DOSAGE INFORMATION

 UNIFORM(S), CLASS A 

 1 PR HIKING BOOTS 

 1 PR TENNIS SHOES

 6 SCOUTING RELATED OR BLANK (NO ADVERTISEMENTS OR PICTURES)

 T-SHIRTS

 2 PR JEANS OR PANTS

 2 PR SHORTS

 1 LONG SLEEVE SHIRT

 1 SWEATSHIRT

 PONCHO OR OTHER RAIN GEAR

 PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS (We require that scouts take daily showers)

 2 TOWELS (Pack near top for easy access upon arrival)

 SWIM SUIT (Pack near top for easy access upon arrival)

 FLASHLIGHT

 POCKET KNIFE

 WATCH

 SLEEPING BAG

 SLEEPING PAD OR MATTRESS TO COVER SPRINGS ON BUNK PROVIDED

 HAT, SCOUTING RELATED OR BLANK (NO SPORT TEAM HATS)

 THREE FOOT ROPE FOR KNOT TYING

 SCOUT HANDBOOK

 MERIT BADGE BOOKS  (Bring merit badge books to camp as trading post may

 not have current copies)

 RELIGIOUS TEXT OF CHOICE

 SUNSCREEN

 INSECT REPELLENT (No spray or aerosol applicators)

 PIPESTONE WOOD

 SPENDING MONEY

 PERSONAL MESS GEAR

 DAY PACK

 CANTEEN

 

DO NOT BRING RADIOS, VIDEO GAMES, IPODS, CD PLAYERS, TAPE PLAYERS, LASER POINTERS OR LIKE ITEMS, THEY WILL BE CONFISCATED. 

 

We will be carrying our gear 300 yards to the campsite.  Pack accordingly.

 

 

 

Visitors are welcome at any time.  Visitors must check in at the administration building. 

 

Scouts can receive mail at Seven Ranges.  Scouts and Leaders are thrilled to get mail.  

 

The mailing address is:     

 

   SCOUT (LEADER) NAME

   Troop 862, Prophet’s Rest Campsite

   c/o Seven Ranges Scout Reservation

   7070 Meter Road

   Kensington, Oh 44427

 

In an emergency, Seven Ranges can be reached by phone at:    (330) 738-2085

 

The check-in and checkout processes are performed as a Troop.  Arriving and leaving as a Troop, reduces the confusion that typically is encountered during these processes.  As a result, Troop 862 travels to summer camp in a caravan.  However, it is not necessary to caravan on the return trip.  Scouts are responsible, with their parents for making travel arrangements.  We will stop in route to eat lunch.  Scouts should have money for a fast food lunch.  Please consult the schedule for the dates and times.

 

In order to make preparations for summer camp an orderly process, we are setting forth the following schedule:

  

 

   June 23-------------------------------------Pipestone Wood, Registration Forms, Merit Badge Requests Due

   June 29 @ 8:00 AM-----------------------------------Meet at Storage Space on Dublin-Granville Road

   July 5 @ 11:00 AM--------------------------------------Pick Up Scouts at Seven Ranges

 

The dates and times of June 29 and particularly July 5 are vital to making this an enjoyable experience.  Please be early or on time July 5.  The scouts don’t react well to being picked up late and, it adds to the load placed on the adult leaders.

 

If it becomes necessary for a Scout to leave camp prematurely, the attached camp policy notice will be followed.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this and assist your Scout with making decisions regarding summer camp.  I’m sure that we will have another great summer camp experience awaiting us at Seven Ranges this year and we look forward to having your son(s) at camp.

   

Yours in scouting,

 

 

Brad Midgley, Scoutmaster