For 201, we have several camp-wide activities and "special days" designed to enrich
your camp experience. These include:
Sunday
Opening Campfire: An opportunity to
meet the staff and generate excitement for the week ahead.
Monday
OA Day: There will be an OA Day with a fellowship on Monday evening. Members of the Order of the Arrow are encouraged to wear their sashes with their field uniform (Class A’s) for the day or retreat and dinner. The Order of the Arrow promotes the spirit of brotherhood, cheerfulness, and service throughout camp. Anyone interested in Patch trading is encouraged to bring supplies for trading.
Robin Hood Competition: Scouts and Scouters can show off their stuff in this archery. We want to find the sharpest shot in camp! This event is open to youth and adults alike. More information will be provided at check-in.
Tuesday
AquaFest: A special evening of water-related games including "War on the
James" (our unique version of Capture the Flag, in canoes, with a twist,)
swamped canoe races, "Up the Creek Without a Paddle," and more.
Wednesday
Scoutmaster Challenge Events: This is where the adults show
their skills in the desert cook-off and the easy chair building contests
Redneck Games: That’s right. We’re not talking Highland Games so leave your kilt at home. Everyone has a redneck bone somewhere in their body. Strap on your mullet wig or even bring your best costume for the games. The heat is on. Youth and adult participation is welcome. That’s right Scoutmasters. We want to see you on the field as well!
Thursday
Outpost night: Huskanaw Scouts and those in Wilderness Survival sessions
will spend the evening at outpost sites in Camp Kiwanis or Camp Rotary. All
others will prepare and cook foil dinners in their campsites using materials
provided by the camp staff. This would be a great opportunity to schedule a
troop campfire and invite neighboring troops to join you for an evening of
entertaining skits and stories.
Movie Night: Pull up in your favorite camp chair or bring a
blanket to enjoy an evening at the movies in the open air of Camp Lions.
Cobbler Cookoff: Pull up in your favorite camp chair or bring a
blanket to enjoy an evening at the movies in the open air of Camp Lions.
Friday
Family Night: Parents and friends are invited to come see what our camp
is like. Dinner will be served cafeteria-style, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Note
that there is no 6:00 PM muster at the flagpole on Friday night.
The cost for guest meals is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children aged six to
ten. Children under six are free. Reservations and meal payments may be made
when your troop checks in on Sunday.
After dinner, visitors are encouraged to attend the campfire with their Scouts.
Recognition Night: Scouts are encouraged to wear merit badge sashes and
medals to show off their accomplishments. Adult leaders are likewise
encouraged to wear medals, Wood Badge beads, and other tokens of recognition or
Scouting accomplishments. Friday’s dinner will feature ceremonies to recognize
achievements during the week at camp.
The closing campfire will be a guided reflection on your week at camp. It will
include additional awards and presentations by the camp staff, as well as
special entertainment highlighting Scouting values in the camp setting.
Religious Programs
"Duty to God" is an essential element of Scouting values that we strive to
reinforce daily at camp. We begin every meal with the assertion that "a Scout
is Reverent," after which we offer Grace. Religious services are also an
important part of the camping experience.
Our Camp Chaplain will hold a short, non-denominational service on Tuesday
evening immediately following dinner, and a brief Catholic mass will be offered
on Wednesday morning before breakfast. To encourage maximum attendance, no
other activities will be scheduled during these times.
The chaplain will be available at other times of the week to discuss
religious awards, offer counseling, train Chaplain’s Aides, and promote morale
in camp.
Unit Program Oportunities Offered Everyday
Paintball (target course): Although many Scouts and Scouters may have previously understood that paintball activities are outside the permissions of the Guide to Safe Scouting, we assure you it isn’t. Paintball target courses fall well within the parameters of BSA as long as we’re not shooting at each other. Fun target and action programs are allowed and are coming to Pipsico! This activity will not be restricted to certain ages. Also, no personal equipment will be allowed in camp. All gear will be provided. Tokens will be for sale in the Trading post for $2.50/50 shots.
Patrol Challenge: Throughout the week we will have special activities in which patrols can compete against the clock or against other patrols.
Climbing & Rappelling: As an additional program, all Scouts will have the opportunity to try the camp's climbing tower which uses the latest climbing technology. Patrol Leaders should sign-up their patrols at the Trading Post once at camp. Huskanaw participants will have the opportunity to climb the tower as part of their schedule, but can also participate with their unit.
Free Shoot (Archery & Rifle): Having fun in shooting sports isn’t restricted to those enrolled in merit badge classes. Archery and rifle have open sessions available to sign up and shoot throughout the week. More information will be provided at check-in.
Free Swim: We know camp can get a little warm every once and awhile so we have made sure to have plenty of opportunity to cool off. These also include late night hours of operation for the swimming pool !!!!
Honor Troop of the Day: Each unit will have its campsite inspected daily by the Camp Commissioners. The inspection focuses on camp cleanliness, preparation for inclement weather, Scout uniform, on-time attendance and many, many other things! Any troop which passes the standard for Honor Troop of the Day will be recognized at that evening’s retreat ceremony. A courtesy inspection is carried out by the Camp Commissioners on Sunday to give you a heads up on what they will be looking for. Troops are expected to have cheers at Retreat Ceremonies (part of Scout Spirit). However do not expect to be an Honor Troop if your cheer is negative (pokes fun at another troop, staff, leaders etc....). Everything we do and say should reflect the best aspects of Scouting...our oath and law.
Learn to Swim Program: Depending on the availability of qualified instructors, and the logistics of our pool, we will offer a “Beginner Swimming” program for any scout who wishes to learn how to swim, or who wishes to improve his swimming ability. Interested Scouts should contact the Aquatics Director once at camp.
Leave No Trace Training: As part of our Staff Guide program units are offered the opportunity to learn about the principles of Leave No Trace. Leave No Trace is an international program designed to build awareness, appreciation and respect for the outdoor wilderness, and the program is an important part of Scouting’s outdoor ethics. More details will be available from your Staff Guide once you have arrived at camp.
Service Projects: There are plenty of opportunities at Camp Lions for service to others and service to our camp. The Nature Director has a list of available conservation projects and other project ideas are available at the camp office.
Volleyball, Horseshoes, Ultimate Frisbee, Frisbee Golf, Geocaching Course, and Wiffle Ball: Put on your shades, take off your socks, rehearse your Top Gun moves and enjoy some beach volleyball in the heart of camp or participate in some of the other fun games and activities offered at the Pipsico Scout Reservation.
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