Provisional Camping
DELIVERING THE ADVENTURE
What is Provisional Camping?
Provisional camping is a program Bay-Lakes Council offers at most of its Resident Summer Camps which allows Scouts and Scouters to attend Summer Camp outside of when their unit is attending.
Youth Protection Policies require that when units attend summer camp, the unit must provide the required Two Deep Registered Adult Supervision and meet the adult to youth ratio requirements. For scouts and scouters who can’t attend the same session of camp as the rest of their unit, these requirements can become insurmountable obstacles to them attending camp.
The rules and regulations of both the State of Wisconsin and the BSA’s National Camp Accreditation Program allow Bay-Lakes Council to supply the required adult supervision by training and onboarding adult volunteers who have a history of service in Adult Leader positions within Scouting. These Provisional Adult Leaders fulfill the roles of Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, or Crew Advisor, depending on the age-appropriate Summer Camp program.
If a scout wishes to attend one of our Summer Camps but cannot because of scheduling conflicts with the session their unit is attending, or they have had so much fun in the past that they want to attend more than one session, they should consider signing up to attend provisionally! They and any adults who join them, will be assigned to a provisional unit (pack, troop, or crew) depending on the program. That unit will consist of scouts from many different units who will camp together on the same campsite, eat meals together in the dining hall, participate as a team in camp games, campfires, service projects, and other unit activities throughout their summer camp session.
It’s truly a great opportunity to make new friends and not miss out on Scout Camp!
When is Provisional Camping Available?
Since the Provisional Adult Leaders are volunteers, we do not offer provisional camping every session or at every camp. Below is a listing of the scheduled provisional camp sessions being offered at each of the three camps in Wisconsin.
For Tigers, Wolves, and Bears
at Camp Rokilio
- Session 1: June 14-17 (Sun-Wed)
- Session 3: June 21-24 (Sun-Wed)
- Session 5: June 28-July 1 (Sun-Wed)
- Session 7: July 8-11 (Wed-Sat)
Parents or Legal Guardians are welcome to join their Cub Scout. Older siblings, aunt, uncles, grandparents, etc. who are not the legal guardian of the youth are not permitted to attend unless they are Registered Adult Leaders of the same unit that the youth camper belongs to. Your provisional pack will stay in our Fort themed building.
For Webelos and Arrow of Lights
at Gardner Dam Adventure Base
- Session 1: July 22-25 (Wed-Sat)
- Session 3: July 29-August 1 (Sun-Wed)
- Session 5: August 5-8 (Wed-Sat)
Parents or Legal Guardians are welcome to join their Webelos or AOL Cub Scout. Older siblings, aunt, uncles, grandparents, etc. who are not the legal guardian of the youth are not permitted to attend unless they are Registered Adult Leaders of the same unit that the youth camper belongs to. Youth may choose to tent with a parent or legal guardian but are encouraged to tent with another youth of the same gender who is no more than two years different in age. Your provisional Den will tent at the Big Rock campsite.
For Scouts BSA
at Gardner Dam Adventure Base or Bear Paw Scout Camp
- GDAB Session 1: June 21-27 (Sun-Sat)
- BPSC Session 1: July 5-11 (Sun-Sat)
- BPSC Session 3: July 19-25 (Sun-Sat)
- BPSC Session 5: August 2-8 (Sun-Sat)
Unlike with Cub Scouts, which allows unregistered parents or legal guardians to attend with their children, the ONLY adults allowed at Scouts BSA/Venturing Summer Camp are those who are fully registered as Adult Leaders with a troop or crew (or are registered as Adult Camp Staff) and have a current Youth Protection Training Certificate. If a parent or legal guardian wishes to attend Summer Camp at Bear Paw Scout Camp provisionally, they must be a registered adult leader. Adults and youth MUST tent separately. Provisional Youth Campers will be encouraged to tent with another youth of the same gender who is no more than two years different in age.
How to Register for Provisional Camping
Registering for Provisional Camping is easy. Please go to one of the following registration pages (depending on which camp you are wishing to register your youth for) and click the “Register” button for the applicable session. Then indicate how many Provisional Youth and how many Provisional Adults you are registering. Click the “Register” button again and it will ask you to complete the necessary information for each scout and adult you are signing up. You will need to pay the fees in full to reserve your space. Provisional camping reservations are limited to ensure we do not exceed the qualified adult supervision rules. We are outside of our deposit phase. You will not be charged a late fee if registering provisionally. Please pay careful attention to the refund policy. This near to the start of camp, we cannot make exceptions to the refund policy. All the same policies and paperwork requirements (including BSA Health and Medical Record, Parts A, B, & C) which apply to traditional unit campers apply to provisional campers.