Blackhawk Area Council

 

Venturing Camp at Canyon Camp

 

August 1 - 7, 2010

 

 

 

Information Guide

VENTURING CAMP

 

The Blackhawk Area Council has an exciting camping opportunity this summer for Venturers and older Scouts. Venturing Camp is a high adventure experience designed to provide a fun and exciting camping experience for Venturers and older Scouts. Crews will get the opportunity to plan their own program. Check out the program opportunities below. This is not your ordinary camping experience.

 

DATE

·         August 1-7, 2010

 

PLACE

·         Canyon Camp, 4856 E. Townsend Rd., Stockton, IL

 

AGE OF PARTICIPANTS

 

·         Venturing crew members are at least 14 years of age and not yet 21.

·         Older Scouts are 14 to 18 years of age.

·         Assistant Scoutmasters between the ages of 18 to 20 can participate.

·         All adult leaders must be at least 21 years of age.

 

PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES

 

During your week at camp, you will have the opportunity to choose from an array of activities. Crews will need to send in a list of activities they would like to participate in. Request will be handled on a first come, first served basis.

 

Program Activities

  • Archery
  • Boating
  • Caving & Climbing Trip

          27 hours, overnight

  • Founder’s Hike

          8-10 hours, must be a swimmer

  • Geocaching
  • GPS – Orienteering Course
  • Initiative Games
  • Low Challenge Course
  • Mississippi River Trip
  • Pistol Marksmanship
  • Rifle Marksmanship
  • Bike Trip
  • Target Paintball

 

Training Programs

      During the week, you will have an opportunity to participate in a number of training/ development programs. Hands-on experience will be part of almost all sessions – that includes water sessions with canoes and kayaks. All of the training sessions will incorporate LNT (Leave No Trace) principles as an integral part of instruction.

 

CAMP FEES

 

Camp fees cover food, program supplies, staff services, medical and liability insurance. Fees cover only a part of the cost of operating camp. Additional financing comes from proceeds of the popcorn sale, Friends of Scouting, the United Way, and other council income sources.

 

INDIVIDUAL CAMPER FEES

 

$230.00    Per Venturer or Scout if paid by May 30, 2010

$255.00    Per Venturer or Scout if paid after May 30, 2010

 

$20.00     Reduction for multiple Venturers or Scouts in a family attending camp.

 

$150.00    Adult Fee

 

If a crew has two more Venturers than attended last year, one leader is free. If five or     more Venturers attend, an additional leader is free. The maximum number of free adults is two. The crew must have attended Venturing Camp at Canyon Camp last year to qualify.

 

                 The fee for adults attending camp for only part of the week will be figured by multiplying the daily fee of $25.00 times the number of days in attendance.

 

Note: Refunds of camp fees are considered on an individual basis. In the event of illness, injury, death of a family member, or other emergency, a refund request must be in writing stating the reason the person did not attend. Written requests must be received no later than two weeks following the week the person was to attend.

 

          If a youth or leader decides not to attend camp and written notification is received at the council office no later than two weeks prior to the unit’s arrival at camp, a service fee of $50.00 will be assessed and the balance refunded. Youth and leaders who do not attend because of “changing their mind at the last minute” will receive NO refund.

 

ATTENDANCE

 

The preferred method of attendance is for a Venturer to attend with the Crew. But if the rest of the crew is not attending, individual Venturers can register and attend Venturing Camp.

 

If you are registering as an individual, indicate this on the Venturing Camp Reservation form.

 

New This Year – Half-Week Program

 

Venturers have the option of attending for half-a-week. This allows a Venturer to attend camp if they cannot attend for a full week.  The half-week program is from Sunday, August 1st to Wednesday evening, August 4th. Fee for the half-week program is $150 - $155 (not set yet). Indicate on the Payment Transmittal that the Venturer will be attending for half the week.

 

RESERVATION & CAMP DEPOSIT

 

To reserve your spot for camp, fill out the VENTURING CAMP RESERVATION form and mail it with the $200.00 Unit Deposit to the Blackhawk Area Council office. The unit deposit will be applied to camper fees.

 

A deposit is not required if a person is registering as an individual.

 

MEDICAL INFORMATION

 

Ø  Medical Examination

 

a)     Because of the strenuous nature of Venturing Camp, all participants, Venturers and adults, must have a medical evaluation by a physician licensed to practice medicine. The new BSA Annual Health and Medical Record must be used.

b)    All Venturers and adults must have a completed medical form on file in the camp, no matter how long the duration of their stay. Any participant not meeting this requirement may not participate in activities or stay overnight. There is no ‘less than 72 hours’ stipulation that exempts someone from this mandatory standard in a Venturing Camp.

c)     The camp must have proof by way of a physician’s signature and date that a physical examination has been done within the 12-month period prior to arrival at camp.

d)    School, sports, and work physical forms can not be accepted.

e)     A parent’s signature is required for those participants under the age of 18.

f)     Physical exams will not be performed at camp.

 

       ALL VENTURERS AND ADULTS MUST BE PHYSICALLY FIT TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE TERRAIN AT CANYON CAMP AND THE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES.

 

Ø  Medicine Storage

 

All medicines, prescription and non-prescription, MUST be checked in to the camp health lodge during the first day of camp.

 

CANYON TRADING POST

 

Hours of operation will be announced. The Trading Post stocks and sells refreshments, souvenirs, Scouting literature and equipment, t-shirts, hats, stamps and postcards.

 

CAMP POLICIES

 

Unit leaders are asked to assist in the enforcement of all camp policies.

 

1.     It is the policy of the Boy Scouts of America that trips and outings must be led by at least two adults. For Venturing Camp, adults must be at least 21 years of age. Coed crews must have at least one male leader and one female leader.

 

2.     Please plan to arrive at camp between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Registration is not possible before 1:30 p.m. Please keep members and parents informed as to departure and return times.

 

3.     No one, Venturer or adult, should leave camp without informing the camp director or his designee.

 

4.     Blackhawk Area Council camps are tobacco, drug, and alcohol free environments. Those who violate this policy will be asked to leave camp immediately.

 

5.     Vehicles are to be parked in designated parking areas only. Travel on camp roads is prohibited. Unit trailers may be parked at the campsite only with the prior approval of the Camp Director.

 

6.     Shoes are to be worn at all times except while participating in pool activities or while in the shower house.

 

7.     The cutting of any standing trees or removal of bark is strictly prohibited.

 

8.     Liquid fuels and liquid fuel burning equipment may be used only by persons over 18 years of age. All liquid fuels must be stored in a locked storage facility administered by the camp.

 

9.     No pets are allowed at camp.

 

10.  Use of cell phones – For the safety and protection of everyone, the use of cell phones, cameras, and all devices capable of recording and transmitting images are strictly prohibited in the shower house and latrines.

 

 

CAMP ADDRESS AND MAIL

 

Mail should include the unit number in care of the address below. Outgoing mail leaves camp by 9:00 a.m. The camp mailbox is located at the Trading Post. Incoming mail may be picked up in the afternoon at the camp office by a unit leader.

 

Name and Crew#

Canyon Camp, BSA

4856 East Townsend Road

Stockton, IL 61085

 

TELEPHONE

 

In case of an emergency, you can reach Canyon Camp at (815) 492-2175. The FAX number is (815) 492-2533. Leaders using cell phones may find it difficult in receiving a signal.

 

The camp telephone is located in the camp office and is for camp business and emergency use only. The telephone is available to campers with approval by the Camp Director or designee. When placing a long distance call, you must either call collect, use a calling card, or place the call on your credit card.

 

EMERGENCY WARNING SYSTEM

 

If both the bell and siren are sounding simultaneously and continuously, ALL youth and leaders are to report to the Dining Hall.

 

SEPARATE MEAL FEE

 

Guests visiting camp for a short period of time may join the camp at mealtime. The cost for meals are as follows:

 

Breakfast - $4.00            Lunch - $5.00            Dinner - $6.00

 

Meal costs should be paid at the Camp Office. Whenever possible, notify the Camp Business Manager in advance when additional individuals will be eating with your unit.

 

CAMPSITE EQUIPMENT

 

The camp will provide 2-person tents, picnic tables, cooking equipment, and dining flys. The unit is asked to bring its unit flag plus other equipment it may need to help everyone spend a comfortable week at camp.

 

Each individual needs to bring a personal mess kit – plate, cup, knife, fork, spoon.

 

If participating in an overnight trip, the unit is asked to bring its own tents. Backpacking tents preferred. If your unit needs help with tents, please contact Canyon Camp.

 

If you have questions regarding the campsite or equipment, please contact Canyon Camp.

 

 

 

Weekly Itinerary

 

Sunday                                                                     Friday

  • 1:30 - 2:30 – Check-in                                              Ÿ    6:30 – Wake up
  • Picture                                                                    Ÿ    7:30 – Breakfast
  • Health Lodge – Medical Recheck                             Ÿ    9:00 – Program
  • Swim Classification                                                 Ÿ    Noon – Lunch/Siesta
  • 5:45 – Flag Ceremony                                              Ÿ    2:00 – Program
  • 6:00 – Dinner                                                           Ÿ    5:45 – Flag Ceremony
  • Camp Tour                                                              Ÿ    6:00 – Dinner
  • Evening Program                                                    Ÿ    7:00 – Evening Program
  • 9:00 Crew Time                                                        Ÿ    8:30 – Moonlight Swim

                                                                                          Ÿ    9:00 – Crew Time

 

Monday – Thursday                                              Saturday

  • 6:30 – Wake up                                                       Ÿ    Flag Ceremony
  • 7:30 – Breakfast                                                      Ÿ    Breakfast
  • 9:00 – Program                                                       Ÿ    Campsite Check-out
  • Noon – Lunch/Siesta                                               Ÿ    Court of Honor
  • 2:00 – Program
  • 5:45 – Flag Ceremony
  • 6:00 – Dinner
  • 7:00 – Evening Program
  • 9:00 – Crew Time

 

 

Times are Subject to Change

CREW LEADER’S PRE-CAMP CHECKLIST

 

¨  Call in your final attendance count to the Camp Director 10 days prior to arrival at camp. Canyon Camp phone number is (815) 492-2175, FAX number is (815) 492-2533.

 

¨  Each participant, youth and adult, must have a completed BSA Annual Health and Medical Record form with them when they arrive at camp. To be sure all medical forms are completed properly, you should collect the forms at least a week before your unit leaves home for camp. A medical form is included with this guide booklet and may be reproduced. You may also contact the Council Office, (815) 397-0210, to request medical forms.

 

¨  Complete two copies of the Crew/Troop Roster before leaving for camp. One is for your use and one copy is for use by Canyon Camp.

 

¨  If all camp fees have not been paid in advance, collect all remaining fees before leaving for camp so that you are prepared to complete payment upon registering your unit at camp.

 

¨  Work with your Ventures/Scouts to develop a tentative program schedule.

 

¨  Plan to arrive at camp between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Keep parents informed as to departure and return times. Registration is not possible before 1:30 p.m.

 

¨  Upon arrival at camp, park all vehicles in the parking lot. Keep everyone consolidated in one area. A member of the camp staff will greet you.

 

Unit leader goes to the Camp Office to:

-          pay balance of camp fees

-          turn in unit roster

-          receive campsite assignment

-          review medical evaluation forms

 

¨  Please inform parents about the Wednesday night program.

 

¨  Your final meal in camp will be Saturday morning breakfast.

 

¨  Make sure that all drivers coming to camp on Saturday morning are aware of the time the crew plans to leave. Departure may be scheduled between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.