tents

Overview of Summer Opportunities:

this is what is arranged so far, others may be added to the schedule as we go along.

2008:
(i) Florida Sea Base: June 30-July 6, 2008,
(ii) Marin Sierra: July 6-12, 2008,
(iii) Philmont: July 27-Aug 8,
(iv) 50 miler: August 3-9,
(v) Brownsea/NYLT,

2009:
(i) June 14-20: Camp Cherry Valley.
(ii) July 5-11: Camp Marin Sierra (probable)
(iii) June 14-20: Brownsea NYLT

2010: BSA National Jamboree, 100 yrs of BSA!
Jambo dates are July 27-Aug 7, 2010.
Philmont (depends on lottery) every other year.

2011: International Jamboree in Sweden
Camp Cherry Valley (probable, TBD)

2012: TBD
Philmont (depends on lottery) every other year.

A word about Medical Forms: 


Scout Medical Forms:  To go to camp a scout MUST HAVE a current BSA Class 2 Medical Form on file with the Troop.  No exceptions.  The Class 2 form requires a check up from a doctor or medical professional.  The good news is that once you get a check up and get the form signed by your doctor it will be good for 3 years from the date of the check up.  We recommend that you download the form and bring it along when your scout gets a check up. The form can be downloaded by clicking on the link above.  The Class 2 is a section is on the back of this form.

Adult Medical Forms : Parents and Scout Leaders also go to camp to help out.  Adults MUST HAVE a current BSA Class 3 medical form on file with the Troop.  The Class 3 medical form also requires a medical check up BUT for adults the check up must be within in the 12 months prior to the date when you will be arriving at camp.  So schedule your check-up(s) accordingly and bring the adult medical form to be signed by your doctor.  The adult medical form can be downloaded by clicking on the link. 



Summer Scouting Opportunities.....


Marin SierraMarin Sierra globe  This BSA summer camp is in the Sierras, near Lake Tahoe, and is owned and operated by the Marin Council.   It is a good camp for new scouts.  Marin Sierra has a good "Trail to First Class" program as well as many Merit Badge offerings and a new High Adventure Program. 

T11 went to Marin Sierra: July 6-12, 2008.
Link to our Marin Sierra 2008 11 icon planning page. 
Fee for Marin Sierra in 2009: $280 early bird (by April 1), $300 regular. 

Picture of Cherry Valley Camp Cherry Valley  globe  This is a classic BSA summer camp on Santa Catalina Island in Southern California.  We camped there in 2006 and 2007, and we are booked again for June 14-20, 2009.  It is among the most highly rated summer camps in the country, thus it is booked 3 years ahead.  They are on the leeward side of Catalina so the water sports activities take place in the Pacific, including fabulous opportunities for swimming, sailing, kayaking, snorkeling and even scuba diving training for older scouts.  They have beautiful hiking trails, many merit badge programs, Trail to First Class and lots of water and land activities.  Cost of week at Camp Cherry Valley is $470 plus travel costs. 

florida sea base picFlorida SeaBase globe - is a BSA facility in Florida that offers "high adventure" activities in and around the water, including sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving adventures.  We went there in 2008 on the Coral Reef Sailing Adventure (sailing and snorkeling trip) and our crew of 6 scouts and 2 adults had a terrific adventure.  Here is a link to a description of this trip:  Coral Reef Sailing Adventure globe   Age Requirement: you must be 14 by Sept 1, 2008.  SeaBase Trips are in high demand and there is a lottery for trips about 1 1/2 years in advance.  Our next opportunity to go to SeaBase will probably be Summer of 2010, unless we happen to find a cancellation. 

Cost: BSA Seabase--Coral Reef Sailing fee is $650 per person based on crew of 8 (6 scouts and 2 adults).  Other costs: airfare to Miami, ground transportation and spending money. 

Note: This is a high adventure trip and it differs from a Boy Scout summer camp in the respect that SeaBase does not offer merit badges as part of their program.   Of course it is always possible for the unit's adult leaders on the trip to work on individual merit badges with the scouts, but there is not a formal, multi-badge program offered by the staff, such as at Camp Marin Sierra or Cherry Valley.  (8/20/07 update). 

Link to our SeaBase 2008-T11 11 icon planning page.  

Philmont ArrowheadPhilmont Scout Ranch globe  is a huge wilderness area in northern New Mexico owned by the BSA.  It is forested, beautiful and at high altitude.  It is near the town of Cimarron in the Sangre de Christo Range of the Rocky Mountains.  The Piedmont Council plans to send two "crews" to Philmont on July 27--August  8, 2008.  These are coveted spots, the Council will have openings for 20 scouts from all 5 Piedmont troops.  Each crew plans its own Philmont trek, which involves 10 days of backpacking plus travel days on either end.  A typical day on a trek would start with hiking for 3-4 hours and then arriving at a back country camp,where the crew will spend the night.  There are approximately 57 trail camps and 34 staffed camps.  Each staffed camp offers different staffed activities and each crew plans its own trek itinerary based on that crew's interests.  This is a great opportunity to complete the requirements for Camping, Hiking and/or Backpacking merit badges.  (Camping is Eagle Required and Hiking is an Eage choice merit badge).  One of the peak experiences of a scouting career!  Mr. Rich Harms is coordinating this trip for the Council. 

Information on Philmont 2008:
There was an informational meeting in April, 2007.  But, at last notice, there were still spots available.  Review the brochure and submit an application to the Council office if you want to go.  Age requirement for Philmont for summer 2008 are as follows:
(a) must be at least 14 by Jan 1, 2008 (i.e. DOB is before 1/1/94), or
(b) must have completed the 8th grade AND be at least 13 years of age prior to participation (i.e. DOB is before 7/27/95). 
Philmont Brochure and Application pdf


Un-Official Philmont globe this web page is about Philmont, but is not the "official" BSA page. 

brownsea

NYLT / Brownsea Training:  This is a week-long youth leadership training program.  It is offered by local councils during the summer at their scout camps (such as Wente and Camp Lindblad).  The program is entirely leadership training, none of the merit badge type of program at the regular scout camp.  It is an excellent opportunity for scouts interested in building leadership skills, for scouts and for life.  First Class scouts can take the course and trained scouts can be on staff. 

Summer 2008 NYLT / Brownsea Options:
    June xx-xx (three options this week):
          (i) Camp Tamarancho (Marin Council)
          (ii) Wente Scout Reservation (San Francisco Council)
          (iii) Camp Lindblad (Mt. Diablo Council)

    July xx-xx
          (i) Camp Herms (Mt. Diablo Council)

  See the Youth Training Page for more information, brochures and links.

Brownsea Training

ninja The San Francisco Bay Area Council hosts a Brownsea Training for Boy Scouts each year (in 2008 it was June 15-21) at the Wente Scout Reservation in Willits.  For those who haven’t heard of the Brownsea program, it is an intensive leadership training similar to Woodbadge for adult Scout leaders.  For more information, feel free to review the flyer (see below) and visit this website:  www.brownsea-nylt.org.  With questions, feel free to e-mail Course Director Rod Dore at rodneydore@yahoo.com or Jerry Tomaszak at jwtomaszak@aol.com.
Brownsea SFBAC Flyer pdf icon


50 miler badgeback pack50 Miler - Our troop is planning our next summer backpack trip for August 3-9, 2008.  Contact Dick Turney for more info and to sign up.  Click on the 50 miler badge to go the T11 page with information about the 50 miler. 

jambo patchBSA National Jamboree - the next BSA National Jamboree will be held the Summer of 2010 (dates: 7/26 to 8/4).  This will be the 100th birthday of scouting in the United States, so it will be a very special event.  National Jamborees are held at Fort A.P. Hill in the Washington D.C. area.  The Piedmont Council will put together a special troop comprised of interested scouts from all of the five Piedmont scout troops.  (Applications will be available from the Council Office).  The Jamboree Troop usually does some touring of the East Coast prior to the Jamboree.  Jamboree Web Site globe

Requirements:  To go to the National Jamboree a scout must be: (i) a First Class scout, and (ii) 12 years old or have completed the Sixth grade by July 1, 2010.  (i.e. birthday on or before June 30, 1998). (updated: 7/23/08) 


World Jam CircleInternational Jamboree globe  Scouting is an active youth program for over 25 million youth in over 148 countries around the world.  This special event is held every four years and is an opportunity for these scouts from around the world to meet, share scouting experiences and build international friendships. 

The next International Jamboree will be held in Sweden in 2011.  Here is a link to the Jamboree web site: 
sweden flag  Sweden 2011 - International Jamboree


UK Flag  The last International Jamboree was in the summer of 2007 at Hylands Park, in Chelmsford in England.  T11 sent about a dozen scouts and several adults, and it was an amazing experience, commemerating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Scouting movement. 

Camp Ideas:
Camp Chawanakee, by Shaver Lake has been recommended. 

Questions?  Contact the Troop Webmaster by email (see Contacts page).

Troop 11