Leaders’ Guide Fall Camporee 2017 GNALS & SI , C S O D N E G I S S C E H E A R I N O B P R M I A D G C E D I C T O C IST R 17 TO 20 BER 13-15, FRIDAY OCT 13 - SUNDAY OCT 15 LEADERS’ GUIDE NORTHERN VIRGINIA 4-H EDUCATIONAL CENTER CONTACT: TOM JACOBSON, 600 4-H CENTER DRIVE CELL: 703-395-0607 FRONT ROYAL, VA 22630 [email protected] Chain Bridge Camporee 2016 Page 1! October 13-15, 2017 Leaders’ Guide Scouts and Scouters, The 2017 Fall Camporee - Signs, Signals & Codes Merit Badge- at the Northern Virginia 4-H Education Center (Front Royal, VA) is upon us. *** New Location This Year *** We would like to invite all Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts, and Venturing Crews to join us at the Chain Bridge District’s 2017 Fall Camporee. This weekend promises to be full of fun and challenging events that everyone can enjoy, as well as a time of friendship and fellowship with your fellow Scouts and Scouters in Chain Bridge District. We will be working on the entire Signs, Signals and Codes Merit Badge, performing a service project, and competing in games all related to fundamental Boy Scout skills. Are your scouts up to the challenge of sending message in Semphore, American Sign Language and Morse Code? How about proving themselves in a signaling challenge? Do they want a really cool patch? Participants will be completing requirements 1-6 & 8-10. All Scouts that arrive with Requirement 7 already completed, will go home with a fully signed blue card. If any of this holds true, then this is the camporee for them. Please take time to read the information about this event and come prepared to have fun. Thank you for your support. Yours in Scouting, The Chain Bridge District Camporee Planning Committee Chain Bridge Camporee 2016 Page 2! October 13-15, 2017 Leaders’ Guide Basic Information Welcome to the 2017 Chain Bridge District Fall Camporee. It is our hope that your troop will have an enjoyable time here and have a great opportunity to learn about signs, signals and codes. Here is some basic information for you to help make your weekend a good one. Please note that a schedule for the Camporee weekend is included at the end of this guide. THE PROGRAM Signs, Signals & Codes (Please read carefully) Troops should organize into patrols of approximately 10 Scouts. Each Scout needing the Signs, Signals & Codes Merit Badge should bring a blue card already filled out with the Scout’s information and signed by the Scoutmaster — we will not have blank blue cards available at the Camporee. All members of the patrol will participate in two round-robins throughout the day covering requirements 1-6 & 8-10. (NOTE: Requirement 7 is a prerequisite to receiving a fully completed and signed blue card at the Camporee.) Requirements will be signed off on blue cards at the end of each event. Again, Scouts must arrive with signed blue cards in hand. Volunteers In order to ensure that each station is full staffed and runs smoothly, we are asking that each Troop identify at least one adult volunteer. Senior Scouts may also volunteers. Volunteers should be identified at checkin. Signaling Challenge The afternoon will include a fun-filled Troop competition where Scouts will put to use their new signaling skills. Service Project We will be conducting a service project for the 4-H Center during the day. Each Troop is asked to appoint 1 or 2 Scouts to assist with the project. Those Scouts may wish to bring work gloves. Saturday Night Campfire The Order of the Arrow will be running our Saturday night campfire, so be prepared with your favorite skits, cheers, and songs. Chain Bridge Camporee 2016 Page 3! October 13-15, 2017 Leaders’ Guide ADDITIONAL DETAILS Registration Registration is highly encouraged to be conducted online. Please see the email sent out to all units for directions, or contact Steve Gillis at capitolfi[email protected] with questions. Payment for those that are unable to register online will be upon arrival, to be handled by our Camporee Registration staff. Cost is $26/person. When the Units check in, they will need to have - A complete roster of attendees - BSA Medical forms (Parts A & B) for all attendees - A list of volunteers: at least one adult per Troop and any senior Scouts interested in helping There will be a registration tent set up at the 4-H Center. Once you have arrived, you will be given further instructions at check in. The Patrol Method This Camporee will be run using the Patrol Method within your Troop. If possible each Patrol should maintain an individual area within their Troop campsite. Each Patrol Must: • Stay together with their Patrol during events & competitions • Have a Patrol Flag • Have a Patrol Cheer • Follow all instructions & rules and be respectful of event judges and other Scouts Uniforms Field Uniforms (Class A) are required for Flag Ceremonies, and Chapel Services. Activity Uniforms (Class B) may be worn during the day while participating in activities. Camping Each unit is responsible for all camping gear, food, and safety and discipline within their units. Each unit will be provided a space to camp. Please set up inside the space provided. Space is limited. Troops must use camp stoves for all cooking — there are no fire individual fire rings for cooking and no open fires outside of the Camporee Campfire allowed. Friday Night PLC This is a meeting for SPL’s and SM’s. It is mandatory that each unit send two representatives to the meeting. It will be held at 9:00 PM. Chain Bridge Camporee 2016 Page 4! October 13-15, 2017 Leaders’ Guide Opening Ceremony and Flag Raising This will occur on Saturday morning. The Opening Ceremony will begin promptly at 8:30 AM. Units should attend in Field Uniform (Class A). Meals All Patrols/Units should plan and bring their own meals and food prep gear. NOTE: All units will be asked to help feed the Camporee staff volunteers. Each Troop should be prepared to serve 2 additional people at each meal. Thank you! First Aid We will have someone on staff with medical experience to serve as a First Aid staff person. All Scouts will need to bring their medical forms and inform the First Aider of any potential health issues. Minor injuries should be handled within your troop when possible. However, if you should feel that outside help is needed, please arrange that through the First Aid staff. We need to know if something has happened requiring medical attention. Camp Inspection There will be a camp-wide inspection on Saturday morning. A team of volunteers will be inspecting each unit and will be grading each unit on overall camp set up, cleanliness, and Leave no Trace principles. This is a High Bear Risk area, so please make sure that no trash or smellables are left in your campsites during the day's activities. We will be discussing this further at the PLC Friday night. SPLs will be given a copy of the inspection form for their guidance and that the person inspecting will meet with the SPL and SM to go over the results. Ins and Outs There are bathrooms and potable water on-site. Leave No Trace Please camp using LNT principles, and no open fires are permitted, so cooking only with stoves and charcoal in LNT setup. Be Prepared! All Units should plan and bring their own meals and food prep gear. Please come prepared for any kind of weather, and bring canopies, portable chairs and tables, as well as items like bug repellant, sunscreen, etc. Make sure your scouts have good ground cloths and sleeping pads, and proper gear to handle any weather conditions. Chain Bridge Camporee 2016 Page 5! October 13-15, 2017 Leaders’ Guide CHECK IN PROCEDURE Camporee check-in is from 5pm to 8pm on Friday, October 13, 2017. • Please plan to arrive together as a unit. • At least two registered adult leaders must be in attendance with each unit. • All Scouts and Scouters in attendance are required to pay the registration fee. • Upon arrival the Scoutmaster and Senior Patrol Leader should check-in at the Registration Pavilion and present all necessary forms completed. • Please present the following items: • Unit Organization Form for each Patrol. • Any unpaid fees (it is preferable that fees are paid in advance via the website) • BSA Medical Form, Pt A & B for all Scouts, Scouters, and parents in attendance • A list of volunteers: at least one adult per Troop and any senior Scouts interested in helping It is understood that some Troop members may have to arrive later. This is okay, but all Troop members must be registered and paid for at check-in. Please be prepared to provide an exact count of Scouts, adults, and number of Patrols. Once all documents have been reviewed for completeness the Troop will be given their campsite assignment. Scouts and/or units that are missing any of the required forms may be sent home to retrieve them. CHECK OUT PROCEDURE Your campsite must be inspected by a member of the Camporee Staff before you can check out and leave. Prior to inspection, please complete the following: • Restore the campsite to its original (or better) condition. • Ensure the campsite is litter free. • Collect all garbage and take it with you. There are no trash receptacles at the camp. • Pack all gear and be ready to depart.