SCUBA (Open Water Certification)

Earn your Open Water Scuba Certification and your Scuba Merit badge! Participants must have earned the Swimming merit badge prior to camp. This is entry level for SCUBA diving. With this certification, it is possible to dive anywhere in the world. Unlike many certifications, the Open Water Certification never expires. The course consists of three parts: Classroom, Confined Water, and Open Water. Each component must be completed to achieve the course certification. Participants will have the opportunity to have 2 days worth or 4-6 open water dives at Lake Rawlings in VA. Participants must be 14 by June 24, 2012 and be able to pass a BSA Swim Test.

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Sail Hampton Roads

This event is designed to provide older Boy Scouts and Venturers with the opportunity to experience a full week of sailing including port visits every night along the James and Elizabeth Rivers. Life aboard is not a luxury cruise; rather it is a continuous learning experience aboard a working sailboat. All members of the crew will be needed to successfully operate their boat while underway. Highlights include a cookout and port visits to Nauticus in Norfolk, a tour of the battleship USS Wisconsin, and the Mariners’ Museum, ending in a seafood dinner at Smithfield Station. Participants must be 13 by January 1, 2012 and be able to pass a BSA Swim Test.

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Canoe Experience

The James River, originally scouted by Captain John Smith himself, has miles of shoreline that has changed very little since the years of the first English settlers. Participants get to explore along the banks of the Historic James River while having the opportunity to earn their Canoeing merit badge and the 50 Miler award. Participants must be 13 by January 1, 2012 and be able to pass a BSA Swim Test. Participants will learn about:

• Captain John Smith’s exploratory voyages on the James in 1607–1609
• Native American societies and cultures of the 17th century
• The natural history of the Bay (both historic and contemporary)
• Participants will get to experience all of these while also stopping at locations part of the Captain John Smith National Historic Trail.

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--> NEW FOR 2012! The Pipsico Experience (PEX)

Participants spend a week long summer camp experience along the banks of the Historic James River.PEX offers a unique experience for our participants to undergo a variety of adventures that Pipsico has to offer within, and outside, the property of the camp, while broadening their horizon of the Scouting Movement. Camper’s will enjoy several pieces of the Pipsico program, along with local attractions PEX is a physically demanding base camp experience that sets the camper up for high adventure activities. Participants rotate through these programs with activities and instruction from our highly skilled and experienced staff. Highlights from the week will included a Beach bonfire and cookout, mountain biking, tubing on the river, paintball, and of course the highlight.... A trip to Busch Gardens!! Participants must be 16 by June 24, 2012 and be able to pass a BSA Swim Test.

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Captain John Smith Experience

An adventure program that takes the participants into an interactive, open ended scenario approximating the circumstances of the settlers of Jamestown. Participants are placed into a scenario where their decisions will directly change the outcome of the events around them. Everything from making money for the Virginia Company, to finding sources of food and water, to relations with the native population will be left in the hands of the participants. Highlights of the week will include a trip to Jamestown Settlement, learning how to use colonial era building materials and equipment (Black powder, armor, etc.), and the opportunity to complete several merit badges. Participants must be 14 by January 1, 2012 and be able to pass a BSA Swim Test.

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Fish Camp

Expert anglers will instruct Scouts about the environment and what influences fish behavior. Imagine the enjoyment of catching your own fish and learning how to filet and cook it for dinner! Participants will have the opportunity to fish in various locations including lakes, rivers, and the open water of the Chesapeake Bay using boat, pier, and shore casting techniques.

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