Webelos Summer Camp is one of our most popular summer programs, and you may or may not be aware that one of our Webelos Summer Camps has moved locations. In this post, we’ll bust any myths, address the rumors, and give some information about Webelos Summer Camp this year.
Heard a rumor? Send it to reservations@baylakescamps.org and we’ll let you know the truth.
RUMOR: There is only one Webelos Summer Camp Program.
MYTH. The Bay-Lakes Council operates two Webelos Summer Camp programs. We host 13 sessions of Webelos Summer Camp at Gardner Dam Scout Camp and 1 session at Camp Hiawatha. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find links to additional information on both of these great programs
RUMOR: There will be no Webelos Summer Camp program at Twin Lakes Scout Camp.
FACT. The Webelos Summer Camp program that has been hosted at Twin Lakes Scout Camp in the past has been moved to Gardner Dam Scout Camp for the 2019 summer season and beyond.
RUMOR: Units will have to patrol cook at Gardner Dam Scout Camp as there is no dining hall.
MYTH. We’ll be installing a large dining area under two frame tents this summer to host meals. These two tents will have sidewalls with windows, an established floor, lighting, and other amenities. These two tents will actually provide more dining space than what guests are used too at Twin Lakes Scout Camp.
This will not be a permanent solution as a new dining hall is slated to open at Gardner Dam Scout Camp in 2020.
RUMOR: You can only go to Webelos Summer Camp as a Pack.
MYTH. While attending camp with a unit is what most Scouts do, our camps are organized this year to accept an individual families. Typically we see this from Scouts who maybe can’t attend summer camp when their unit is going or just looking to attend camp for additional sessions. Scouts can choose any session of camp to attend on their own. The camp will pair these families with a host unit to ensure the Scout and their family members are under the guidance and support of registered and trained Scout leaders for the week.
What is the tent situation going to be at Webelos Summer Camp?
Gardner Dam Scout Camp: Canvas Wall Tents will be provided to guests, just like they were provided at Twin Lakes Scout Camp.
Camp Hiawatha: Guests will need to bring their own tents, as they have done in the past.
Where’s the summer camp guide at?
The Gardner Dam Scout Camp Summer Camp Guide is slated to be released early next week. Followed by the Camp Rokilio Summer Camp Guide, followed by the Camp Hiawatha Cub & Webelos Summer Camp Guide. We expect to have all guides released by the end of the month.
If you’re a Scouts BSA unit, the guides for Bear Paw Scout Camp Scouts BSA Summer Camp and Camp Hiawatha Scouts BSA Summer Camp have been released.
What are some program highlights for Webelos Summer Camp at Gardner Dam Scout Camp?
With a new location, brings new and exciting opportunities! Scouts attending Gardner Dam Scout Camp for Webelos Summer Camp will participate in the same style of program that was offered at Twin Lakes Scout Camp PLUS have the opportunity to participate in:
- Bouldering
- Rock Climbing
- Rappelling
- Flat Water Kayaking
- Kayak Slide
- Rock Throwing Range
- Low Cope Course
What Adventure Pins are going to be offered at Gardner Dam Scout Camp this year?
This year’s camp wide Adventure Pin will be Looking Forward, Looking Back.
In addition to the camp wide pin which is taught in the evening either on Monday or Thursday (depending on when your unit will be at camp), we have 9 other pins that we will be offering. Scouts will choose 2 of the 9 pins to earn at camp. These 9 Adventure Pins are:
- Aquanaut
- Castaway
- Earth Rocks!
- First Responder
- Into the Wild
- Into the Woods
- Outdoor Adventurer
- Sportsman
- Webelos Walkabout
Swim Checks. Do Them Before Camp, If You Can.
We’ve made a policy change starting this summer to allow units the option to complete their swim tests prior to coming to camp. The swim classification form must be filled out and submitted at check-in. This form can be found in the summer camp guide, in the resources section. Please be sure to read the instructions carefully to ensure the test is administrated correctly.
Scoutbook Integration!
The camp staff will enter Adventure Pins requirements completed by youth at camp into the registration system. In return, units will be able to pull a report from our system and upload it directly into Scoutbook, making the logging of advancement for both small and large units seamless.
Parent Portal
Parent portal allows the registration contact to provide the parents in the unit with access credentials, so they can make payments and complete data entry for their Scouts. This is a new feature in the online registration. Here is how it works:
For the Unit Summer Camp Coordinator: Please review the following video on how to enable parent portal – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wqanwRP05Q
For Parents: Please review the following video on how to access and use parent portal (if your unit has it enabled): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Fimdr9O63I
Who’s running Webelos Summer Camp at Gardner Dam Scout Camp?
Warren Kraft will once again be at the helm as Camp Director. Jeremy Mikkelson, a veteran camp staffer from Twin Lakes Scout Camp and last year’s Program Director, will be the Program Director at Gardner Dam Scout Camp. Finally, past Gardner Dam Scout Camp staffer, Preston Podolske will be serving as the Service Director.