Camp Turrell Discussion Points for trip July 27 through August 2, 2008

(more info available on www.nnjbsa.org then following the Camping link to Camp Turrell)

 

Location:

  • 6 miles north of Port Jervis NY about 1:20 away on a remote mountain top with large lake.

 

Organization:

  • Scouts camp with their troop in our own site ( we have site “M” for the week)
  • Camp supplies 2-person tents with cots on wooden platforms
  • We eat breakfast in the dining hall and cook lunch & supper in our campsite.
  • Scouts are divided into patrols of about 8 to 10 scouts and share cooking, clean-up, and other duties.
  • Lisa Whittle is the Troop 49 Camp Turrell coordinator.  Please mail her your signed Behavior Pledge document and your completed medical form by July 1, 2008.  Lisa is at 112 Seminole Avenue and 337-1175.

 

Cost:

  • $265 if paid prior to May 1st and $295 if paid on or after May 1st.
  • Camperships are available to needy scouts to help pay for camp.  Check out the campership information in the Summer Camp folder on the council web site www.NNJBSA.org.
  • RSVP by May 1st using the form on the troop web site.

 

 

Merit Badge Program:

  • Camp offers about 20 merit badges programs that run from Monday through Friday.  You start the merit badge on Monday and the skills are taught each day completing on Friday.
  • Merit badges are run like classes in school, the same time every day.  A scout may have Rowing from 9-10,  Canoeing from 10-11,  Art from 11-12 and First aid from 2-3.
  • Range Area: Archery, rifle, Shotgun (14 yrs old)
  • Our troop averages 3.5 merit badges per scout. 
  • Scouts will be presented with a schedule in May and discuss their schedule with leaders in June so they have a good program that fits their skill and abilities.

 

Advancement:

  • Scouts have dozens of hours to work on requirements in camp within their troop.
  • Camp offers a 1st-Year camper program called “Pathfinders” which most first year Scouts sign up for. 
  • Camp offers the opportunity to complete all Tenderfoot and Second Class requirements and many scouts do.  Motivation is the key.

 

Adults:

  • Each troop needs to have a minimum of two adults in camp at all times.  We would like to have a minimum of three. We will have a signup schedule at the June Court of Honor.
  • Moms and Dads are welcome to stay any or all nights.  No siblings can stay the night.
  • No special skills are needed as you need to supervise and keep the scouts on schedule and keep and eye on safety.   You are urged to take the BSA online training course, “Youth Protection” before attending any camping trip.

 

Camp Turrell Discussion Points for trip July 27 through August 2, 2008

 

First Day, Sunday,

10am                Meet at OLPH and carpool up to camp.  Parents are welcome to come and help scouts and troop get unpacked.

Noon               Start check in process, set up camp, set up gear in camp supplied tents.

About 1pm       Medical staff reviews medical forms and takes all medications.  If the medical forms have problems, parents need to correct them.  This is why we ask the medical forms to be returned to the troop by mid June so we can give them a first inspection to minimize issues.  Parents are not required  to be here for the medical check.  Adults wishing to swim or boat must have a medical form.

About 2pm       Swim Test – Each scout must pass a basic swim test which is the Second Class requirement in the book.  All adults wishing to swim or use a boat must also pass the test.  No big deal.

6:00pm First night supper in camp dining hall.

7:00pm Scouts sign up for their merit badges.

8:00pm             Opening campfire with songs and skits put on by the staff.  On Friday night, the troops put on the campfire and do skits.

 

Last Day, Saturday

9:00am             Parents arrive and pack up and go home.

9:30am             Stop at McDonalds in on ride home to catch up on junk food.

 

Average Day:

7:00am             Wake up and get ready for the day. 

7:50am             Assemble by flag pole for morning colors followed by breakfast in dining hall.

8:45am             Scouts leave for their 9am session.

9:00am             First session for merit badges.  Scouts without a first session stay in camp and do homework, work on skills, get firewood, or relax.

10:00am           Second session for merit badges.

11:00am           Third session for merit badges.

Noon – 2pm     Lunch and siesta time at our campsite.  Time to relax, unwind, explore, work on requirements, sit around the fireplace and chat, or nap.

2:00pm             First afternoon session

3:00pm             Second afternoon session.  Open shooting at archery & rifle to practice. Open boating to use canoes, rowboats, or sailboats.  Parents too!

4:00pm             Troop Swim and open boating

5:00pm             Start supper preparations

6:00pm             Supper in camp.

6:30 to 10pm    Free time to play basketball, softball, check out the snack bar, work on homework or requirements, star gaze, sit around the camp fire.

10:00pm           Get ready for bed.

10:30pm           In bed.

 

Things to bring:

                        Check the Leaders Guide for detailed packing list

                        Basically: uniform, clothes, toiletries, merit badge books, bug netting.

                        Ask senior Scouts or your Patrol Leader

 

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