Camping: Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch & High Adventure Camp
2008 Summer Camp

Merit Badges and Program at BTSR
[Updated 3/12/08]

CAMP MERIT BADGE PROGRAM

The Merit Badge program of the B.S.A. is one of the finest educational tools available. Many great careers and exciting hobbies have had their start as a part of the Merit Badge program.

The camp will make every effort to use the program model like you do with your troop at home. Most Merit Badges require more than one short week to complete. However, great progress can be made at camp if the Scout is fully prepared.

Here are some key points to consider in your troop's winter planning.

1. Share the list of merit badges that will be available at camp with your troop Leaders' Council, Troop Committee and Scouts. Be sure that the Scout is qualified to take the badge.
   
   
2. Scouts must carefully study and understand all the requirements. YES, he needs a correct copy of the merit badge pamphlet and should read it PRIOR to coming to camp.
   
   
3. Where possible, the Scout should complete the time requirement portion of the requirements before coming to camp.

Merit Badges offered in camp are generally of an outdoor nature (see list in this book). The Council Advancement Committee has designated the various Directors as Merit Badge Counselors and our youth staff as Skills Instructors. The camp staff is not allowed to change, lower or modify any merit badge requirement.

BTSR does not require the Merit Badge Card #4124A. All class rosters and progress will be tracked on rosters and printed as a final report. This final report will be given to the leaders Friday in their camp checkout packet to check for accuracy before leaving camp. Any leader wishing to check attendance or progress for an individual youth should check with the instructor or area director as needed.

ADULT LEADER PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES

There will be plenty of opportunities for adults to participate in training classes and programs. Below is a chart of the courses we will offer at BTSR. Please pre-register for these classes just as the youth will be pre-registering for Merit Badges. This will ensure we will have instructors prepared at camp, especially for Adult Leader Basics.

Course	Day	Place & Time
Safe Swim Defense / Safety Afloat	Monday	Pool – 1:30
CPR Certification – Red Cross ($30)	Tuesday	Old Folks Home – 8:30–12:30
Adult Leader Essentials & Specifics	Wed. & Thurs.	Old Folks Home – 9:30 – 3:30
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills	All Week	See Notes & Checklisst
BSA Lifeguard	All Week	Pool – 9:30 – 4:30
Mile Swim	All Week	Pool – 6:00 am M-T & Fri 3:30
Snorkeling, BSA	All Week	Pool – 9:30 & 2:30
Polar Bear Swim	Wednesday	Pool – 7:00 am
Climb on Safely	Thursday	Parade Ground – 2:30
Trek Safely	Thursday	Parade Ground – 2:00
Leave No Trace	Thursday	Parade Ground – 3:00
SCUBA, BSA ($65 fee) See notes below.	MTW, & Friday	Pool & Balmorhea
Scout Leader Trail Ride	Wed. & Friday	Corrals - 2:00; see notes

NEW TRAINING OPPORTUNITY FOR 2008!

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills

New for 2008 is a training program that has been requested over the last few summers. We piloted it in 2007 and it worked well, so we are making plans to offer the class all summer in 2008! While you are at camp, you can participate in a number of classes, programs, and other opportunities to fulfill the training requirements for the Intro To Outdoor Leader Skills. Take a look below to see the times and days to meet for the program. You MUST sign up for this program and have each staff member sign off your check-sheets through the week to complete the entire class. Participating in this program will not interfere with your participation in Adult Leader Essentials or Scoutmaster Specifics classes!

Day	Time	Module	Location
Monday	8:30-9:30	Cooking	Cooking MB Site
	9:30-10:30	Hiking & Safety	Chapel - TTE Class
	12:30 or 1:30	Totin Chip	Chapel - TTE Class
	7:45	Campfire	Amphitheater
Tuesday	8:30-9:30	Cooking	Cooking MB Site
	9:30 - 11:00	Ropes & Lashings	Chapel - TTE Class
	11:30-12:30	Nature Trail	Westward Ho Campsite
	3:30 - 4:00	Fireman Chit	Chapel - TTE Class
	4:00 - 5:30	Backpacking & Hiking	Flagpoles
Wednesday	8:30-9:30	Cooking	Cooking MB Site
	9:30 - 11:00	First Aid	Chapel - TTE Class
	5:45 - 6:15	Interfaith Worship	Chapel
Thursday	8:30-9:30	Cooking	Cooking MB Site
	2:30 - 3:30	Leave No Trace	Dining Hall
	3:30 - 4:30	GPS & Orienteering	Flagpoles
Friday	9:30 - 11:00	Flags & Flag Ceremonies	Chapel - TTE Class

2008 Merit Badge and Class Listing

CLASS	8:30	9:30	10:30	11:30	1:30	2:30	3:30- 5:00	NOTES
Animal Science*						X		Feeding & cleaning times required.
Archaeology				X				Some research time required.
Archery	X		X	X		X		Arrow kit ~$2 & practice to qualify
Art*		X				X		Extra time to complete projects.
Astronomy*								Mon-Wed, 9pm., Wed. early am
Backpacking								Outback Only. #10 & 11 done w/ Troop
Basketry*	X	X	X	X				Two basket kits - $10
Bird Study			X					Observation time & project required
BSA Lifeguard*		XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX						All day class M-F. Youth or Adult
Camping*			X			X		Req. 8c and 9 done w/ Troop
Climbing*	XXXXXXX		XXXXXXXX					Minimum age 13. Two-hour class.
Climbing –Advanced					XXXXXX			Advanced skills for those w/ Climbing MB
Climbing – Intro*							X	For boys not ready for Climbing MB
Cooking	X							Not all cooking @ camp. # 7 @ home
Emergency Prep.			X				X	Must have First Aid MB BEFORE camp.
Environmental Science	XXXXXXXXX						X	Observation time & Written report. 2 hr. class.
Fingerprinting*		X	X	X		X		Two day class
Fire Safety							X	Req. 11 at home
First Aid		X				X		Need first aid kit for home.
Firem’n Chit*							X	Tuesday Only
Fish & Wildlife Mgt				X				Partial (req. 7) Extra time for projects
Forestry						X		Req. 7 done at home
Free Rides - Horse	X							Youth or Adults. See notes below.
Free Shoot - Arch.		X					X	Practice archery to qualify or for fun!
Free Shoot-Rifle			X					Also offered Tue & Wed @ 7:30 pm
Free Swim*							X	Adult or youth. Closed Fri. for Mile Swim
Geology	X	X	X	X				Rock Collection – Req. 2
Hiking								Outback Only. Partial (Req. 5 & 6)
Horsemanship*		X	X	X			X	250 lb. Rider limit. Pants & shoes req’d.
Indian Lore*	X		X					Project kits - $5-$10
Insect Study	X							Req. 3 & 5 need bug collection. Req.7
Instructional Swim				X				For non-swimmers.
Leatherwork*		X	X	X			X	Project kit ~$5-$10
Leave No Trace							X	Thursday only 3:00 pm. Youth & adults.
Lifesaving	XXXX		XXXX					Must complete Req. 1 BEFORE camp
Mammal Study		X				X		Partial. Extra observation time.
Mile Swim*								7 am - MTWT, 3:30-5 Fri. See notes
Music					X			Bring instrument. Limited avail. @ camp.
Nature			X	X				Partial. Req 4 & 5 requires 1 month time.
Orienteering		X		X				Req. 10 done with Troop
Paul Bunyan*							X	Mon. 3:30 & Tues 1:30. See notes.
Painting					X			Bring painting clothes
Photography						X		Bring digital camera
Pioneering	X			X				Extra time for projects @ 3:30
Polar Bear Swim								7:00 am Wed. Only!
Pottery*	X					X		Clay for projects ~$5. Req. 7 @ home
Radio						X	X	Req. 8 can be done at home.
Reptile & Amphibian Study							X	Partial. Req. 8 done at home.
Rifle Shooting	X	X				X		Option A & C done will be used. $5 Fee
SCUBA, BSA*					MTW Class @ 3:30			$65 fee for equip. MTW class 3:30-4:30. Dive on Fri. 12:00-5:00. Youth or adult.
					Friday Dive 12-5
Sculpture*	X					X		Clay for projects ~ $5 - $10
Shotgun Shooting*				X			X	Option A. See shooting sports notes. $10
Snorkeling*		X				X		Mask / Fins provided or bring your own.
Soil & Water Cons.		X						Extra time for conservation projects
Space Exploration							X	Bring empty 2 liter bottle from home
Swimming	X	X	X			X		Bring clothes for 9c. Do #3 before camp
Theater							X
Totin’ Chip*					X			Mon. or Wed. (And as requested.)
Trail To Eagle*		Scout, Tender, 2nd Class TTE Session					1st	2 or 3 hour courses. See notes.
Veterinary Med.							X	Req. 9 – Visit a Vet. And report.
Weather						X		Partial. Req. 5 needs a month to finish
Wilderness Surv.						X	X	Bring kit supplies or buy @ camp
Woodcarving	X		X	X			X	Project Kit ~$5-$10

*Indicates to review notes below for more important information

NOTE: Any leader attending camp that would like to teach a merit badge that is not listed, but is in their area of expertise, contact the camp director prior to arrival to arrange for you to teach it during the week you attend.

Click here to download and print a master Merit Badge Schedule (PDF document).

SHOOTING SPORTS
Rifle and shotgun classes are very popular at BTSR. Please ensure your boys are ready to take these classes. Our biggest concern is with Shotgun Shooting Merit Badge. Please make sure your boy is strong enough to pick up, hold, and shoot a shotgun. Some 10 1/2 or 11 year olds are not strong enough to safely hold the gun in a safe direction or to aim properly to qualify for the badge. Please help us ensure the safety and good morale of our campers by encouraging those boys to sign up for another badge.

CLIMBING MERIT BADGE
The climbing merit badge program at BTSR is second to none. The canyon walls and numerous rock formations create the perfect setting for a Scout to learn what it is like to climb “for real”. (No towers or climbing walls at our camp!) To ensure a quality experience for all participants, the total number of participants will be limited. To participate in this activity, all Scouts must be at least thirteen (13) years old, weigh at least 100 lbs, and have a high adventure physical.

Qualified staff will teach the basics of rock climbing and rappelling. Rope work, teamwork, safety and repelling will be the major program emphasis. Equipment such as ropes, gloves, carabineers, helmets, and safety harnesses will be provided. This is a full week course, held in two hour sessions and requires participation every day. Personal or Troop rappelling equipment or rock climbing gear is NOT TO BE BROUGHT OR USED at BTSR!


ADVANCED & INTRODUCTION TO CLIMBING COURSES
wo new climbing programs have been added to the programs at BTSR. The Advanced Climbing course is available for those boys that already have the Climbing merit badge and are looking for more adventure. Here they will have to opportunity to try new climbing and rappelling sites, learn new rescue techniques, learn about different types of equipment, and test their abilities at a higher level of challenge. This class is offered 1:30 - 3:30 daily.

The Introduction to Climbing course is also new to BTSR. This gives your younger boys, or boys that are not quite ready or heavy enough for the traditional Climbing Merit Badge class. Here they will learn basic climbing and rappelling techniques, and even will do a climb and rappel at Baby Rock. This class is offered from 3:30 - 5:00 daily.


TRAIL TO EAGLE
This class will be a great opportunity for new Scouts to work on the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class requirements. Young Scouts are encouraged to attend one of these sessions to get some valuable instruction time for their requirements to advance in rank. This still allows time for merit badges & free time activities. Scouts will have the opportunity to work on over twenty-five items for these ranks, as well as complete the requirements for the Swimming Merit Badge. Scouts have the following options, depending on their current rank:

Current Rank	Session to take	Class Times	Notes
Tenderfoot or Second Class	Tenderfoot & 2nd Class TTE	9:30 – 12:20	Scouts attending this session will work on rank requirements through 1st Class & will complete Swimming MB. This still leaves 4 sessions of MB time for the boys.
2nd Class	1st Class TTE	3:30 – 5:00	Scouts will only work on requirements for 1st class rank. 5 sessions of MB time left.

Trail To Eagle has always been a popular program with quite a few participants every week. Any Troop that is sending boys to any of these classes is asked to please send an adult leader to give assistance with one of the sessions. We will have staff members leading the course, but due to sheer numbers it is difficult to maintain control and quality as a result. This is an excellent opportunity for new adult leaders or young leaders to get involved! Also, it will help fulfill a requirement for the SM Merit Badge! Your help is appreciated!

TOTIN’ CHIP & FIREM’N CHIT & PAUL BUNYAN
The Totin’ Chip award is required before a Scout can use a pocketknife or take part in the Woodcarving or Cooking Merit Badge. Learning safety and use of the axe, knife, and saw is important in helping a young Scout to be prepared for future campouts. This class will be taught on Monday or Tuesday at 1:30. The Tuesday class will be taught by the Paul Bunyan class in order to fulfill their requirements for their award.

Scouts will complete the requirements for the Firem’n Chit on Tuesdays at 1:30 pm. Adult leader supervision is suggested, especially when class sizes are large.

Paul Bunyan is a two part class with the first session being held at 3:30 on both Monday and Tuesday. On Mondays, the Scouts will be instructed in various wood cutting and conservation techniques. On Tuesdays, the Scouts will instruct the 1:30 Totin’ Chip class in order to complete requirement one. Any Scout or leader who does not have a Totin’ Chip, or would like to be a student for the Paul Bunyan award is encouraged to attend the Tuesday class.

ASTRONOMY
The Astronomy Merit Badge will be taught in different locations around camp during the week in order to get different perspectives of the night and morning sky. The first class will begin immediately following the camp show on Monday at the amphitheater. This is another immensely popular program with class sizes exceeding 100 boys during some weeks! We ask that any Troop with a participant in this class have at least ONE adult leader attend the class with the participants all week. This will expedite roll call and paperwork times and will allow for more quality instruction time. Times and locations of the remaining classes during the week will be announced at the Monday session. In case of inclement weather, other arrangements will be made for the class, so listen closely for announcements during the week.

SCOUTMASTER MERIT BADGE
A popular addition to the program in 2007 was the “Scoutmaster Merit Badge”. This special award is only available to adult leaders that meet the requirements by the end of the week. By participating in various training courses, helping in merit badge classes, teaching Scout skills and other activities, leaders will be rewarded with a special limited edition patch. Please see chart above for the Scoutmaster Merit Badge checklist.

HORSE POLICY
It is the policy of the Buffalo Trail Council that all trail riders weighing over 250 pounds are not permitted to ride our horses. This is for the safety of both horses and participants. ALL RIDERS MUST WEAR BTSR HELMETS! ALL PARTICIPANTS IN ANY OF OUR HORSE PROGRAMS MUST ALSO HAVE LONG PANTS AS WELL AS CLOSED TOE, STURDY SHOES, whenever in the corrals, barn, or on horseback. This is extremely important to insure the health and safety of all participants and equines. (Pants can be of any material, as long as they reach the ankles.) Please plan ahead and have these items on hand when coming to BTSR. No exceptions can be made.

HORSE FREE RIDES
Free rides are available to all Scouts and leaders beginning immediately following breakfast with the last ride leaving the corrals at about 9:10 am. Scouts will be placed in a saddle before adults to insure that all boys get a chance to have this great experience. Any empty saddles will be filled with adults that wish to ride. Scouts should not skip classes for these rides and should plan in advance to ensure the ride is finished before they have to be in class! Also, all weight limit and apparel guidelines will be enforced for all participants. (See Horse Policy above.)

SCOUTMASTER TRAIL RIDES
A special program has been put together that will allow adult leaders (18 and up) to see the beautiful backcountry of Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch from the back of a horse on the trail! The Head Wrangler, depending on demand, sets times for the ride. Rides are held on Wednesday or Friday afternoon. On Wednesday, the group will go to the Notch, enjoy scenery of the green trail, and swim. On Friday, the group will go to Pig Pen Canyon and enjoy a ride and scenery that not many folks get to enjoy! Price for either of the three hour rides is only $50.

Leaders wishing to take part in this program will need to sign up for the rides at the Jersey Lilly and pay for the ticket as well. It will be open to the first 10 that sign up. All requirements listed in the Horse Policy above including weight and apparel must be adhered too. Also, 2 quarts of water per person is required for the ride.

HORSEMANSHIP / ANIMAL SCIENCE MERIT BADGE / VETERINARY MEDICINE
Each Scout who participates in these Merit Badges will also be required to help with the care and feeding of the BTSR livestock. This is one of the requirements to earn the badges and due to feeding schedules, must be completed outside of class time. Each Scout will be required to feed at one of the following times and to help clean the stalls at least once during the week. Assignments will be made by the instructors to fit the boy’s schedules. Those times are:

• Feeding Horses– Everyday at 5:30 am and 5:30 pm.
  
• Cleaning Stalls – Monday – Friday from 6-7 am, and Wednesday after dinner.
  

Special arrangements may be made when weather or other conflicts arise. Qualified staff members will supervise all feeding and cleaning. Any questions may be directed to the Head Wrangler. Apparel guidelines will be enforced at all of these times.

HANDICRAFT MERIT BADGES
A variety of Handicraft merit badges are offered throughout the week, some of which only take two days to complete the classroom portion of the class. Scouts will work on their projects in class and in their free time as well. Once they complete their two-day class, they can then work on a related Merit Badge offered at that same time frame, and be able to complete yet another Merit Badge while at camp! Please see the chart below for those two day classes:

Time	Mon & Tue	Wed & Thur
8:30	Basketry Pottery	Woodcarving Sculpture
9:30	Leatherwork Art	Basketry Fingerprinting
10:30	Leatherwork Fingerprinting	Woodcarving Basketry
11:30	Woodcarving Basketry	Leatherwork Fingerprinting
2:30	Fingerprinting Pottery	Art Sculpture
3:30	Woodcarving	Leatherwork

NIGHTLY PROGRAMS
A variety of programs will be offered throughout the week for Troops and campers to enjoy. Listed below are the programs offered each night.

• SUNDAY: SPL & SM Meeting
  
• MONDAY: CRAZY HAT DAY, Opening Camp Fire and Show
  
• TUESDAY: Camp-wide Games
  
• WEDNESDAY: Chapel Service, Free Shoots
  
• THURSDAY: TROOP NIGHT
  
• FRIDAY: Picnic Lunch, Closing Campfire & OA Ceremony

CRAZY HAT DAY
A fun new activity for 2008! During the day on Monday, all campers, leaders and staff are encouraged to wear their most colorful, crazy, obnoxious, funny, creative, or weird hat that they can find! Wear them to class, all around camp, in Buffalo Hall or wherever! ALSO, this will be the ONLY time during the week that a hat can be worn in the dining hall! Only those that wear a CRAZY hat will be allowed this special privilege, all others must remove their regular hats when entering the dining hall. (Supper is the only exception, as we want all Scouts in their full and proper Scout uniforms.)

A special prize will be awarded to the person with the CRAZIEST HAT of the day! Each Troop will nominate their ONE youth with the CRAZIEST HAT to represent them. During the opening campfire, the entire group will vote by noise and applause for the camper they think has the CRAZIEST HAT at BTSR!

 

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