For AOL Scouts only (eg. current 5th graders).

This will be your last year in Cub Scouts and soon you will join the ranks of the Boy Scouts. As part of that transition one of your first outing options will be going to summer camp. This year Troop 99 we will be going to Camp Woodruff! https://www.campwoodruff.org/summer-camp
Located in Northern Georgia it has been highly rated by scouts and adults as the premier scout camp in the Southeast for it’s mountain location (cooler nights), whitewater program availability, horseback riding, and attracts scouts from all over the country for it’s first class (by scout standards) amenities. Why go to summer camp? Scouts will be physically active, earn advancement, unplug from technology, connect with nature, build friendships and teamwork, grow independent, and most of all have fun!

We will leave in the morning (probably about 8am) on July 7th from Fellowship Hall and return the afternoon on July 14th.. The last few years we have had more than enough (50+ scouts and adults) for it to make sense in renting an entire charter bus for the trip

There will be more information to follow: gear recommendations (usually minimal as tents and cots are provided), swimming tests (before we leave), health forms, food allergies, etc.

It is recommended that first year scouts do the “mountaineer” program in the morning and in the afternoon pick merit badges that they are interested in. Mountaineer is the fast-track for first year scouts and helps with ranking them up quickly and learning the basics. In the afternoon I would recommend merit badges that are fun and have activities that they would not normally be able to do back at home (water sports, horsemanship, etc). Program guide located here: https://prod-19.centralus.logic.azure.com/workflows/b91d85f1dc07420b97db6017fc9297e0/triggers/manual/paths/invoke/18727/Woodruff-Program-Guide?api-version=2016-10-01&sp=%2Ftriggers%2Fmanual%2Frun&sv=1.0&sig=UzCi6vhuc-bXCB4vz4FNTcbNl8DQ6ozNO-7smYSGA7k
I will send out a google form later so your scout can pick which programs they would like to do.

In regards to health forms all scouts will be required to have current BSA health forms turned in before camp, including a “Part C" which requires a sign-off from your child’s doctor. So if a checkup is on the horizon it is best to bring the form with you. See here: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/680-001_ABC.pdf

Your gear requirements aren’t really that much. Tents and cots are provided. So really it’s clothes, sleeping bag, flashlight, rain gear, clothes, swim suit, extra socks, extra shoes, and one pair of shoes suitable for a short (5 mile) hike. With the whitewater rafting, they’ll need closed toed water shoes (like Keens) or sneakers that are otherwise disposable. Should they prefer to take the Horsemanship merit badge and go on a trail ride instead of whitewater rafting. That is an option.

We will require an initial deposit in January and final payment at a later date in the spring. We anticipate the total cost of camp will be approximately in the $475 neighborhood. This will include camp fees, transportation costs, t-shirts, etc. There may be other fees for supplies for certain merit badges (leatherworking, woodworking, etc.)

So, this brings me to, “is summer camp right for my child?” The answer is, usually a very resounding “yes.” In the last 3 years we have only had one, “really miss mom” and he toughed it out for the entire week and said he had an absolutely great time otherwise! Which brings me to one more point. We would love to have an adult or two (mom’s invited as well) to come to summer camp with us. It is great to have someone who is familiar with the new group of boys and it is tremendously fun for the adults as well. In fact I have all the adults who went with us last year all asking to come back again this year so reach out ASAP if you are interested!

Please RSVP via teamapp so I can get a feel for the numbers for planning and if you have additional questions, reach out to me directly jhk847@gmail.com. 704-900-3132. If there is enough interest/questions I am available to come to an AOL meeting to discuss and answer group questions.

Location

31 Woodruff Dr, Blairsville, GA 30512, USA