Program

A complete schedule can be found following this section.  The majority of your troop’s days in camp will be spent as follows:

Click here for the weekly Merit Badge Schedule

Aquatics

 Campcraft

Nature

Handicraft

Shooting Sports

Health & Fitness

Trailblazers
(For Scouts who have NOT completed Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class Rank requirements)

The Trailblazer program will only involve those Scouts who are brand new to Scouting.  We will place your new Scouts in patrols lead by boys their own age.  Each one will get a chance to be a patrol leader during the week.  They will participate in learning various Scouting skills and other events each morning and have time to earn elective merit badges in the afternoon.  The Scouts will have the opportunity to learn basic skills of Scouting in hands-on situations.  We recommend that first year campers look at taking some of the recommended merit badges after lunch, as well as working on handicraft merit badges.  Scouts will camp overnight on Thursday. please help them plan accordingly (they will need a backpack).  The Trailblazer program runs from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon Monday through Friday. 

Purpose:

To provide a structured, basic skill, summer camp program to fulfill the needs of the first year camper - especially those who are just beginning in Scouting.

Objectives:

• To teach basic skills

• To teach patrol method through application

• To work on selected requirements and teach the Boy Scout advancement program

• To make learning and advancement fun

• To increase the tenure in Boy Scouts troops.

Needs of the First Year Camper that this Program will address:

• Teach the patrol method by doing and learning together

• Develop Scout skills through effective teaching and testing

• Build confidence through achievement

• Structured time to make effective use of time while at camp

• Teach the Scout Oath and Law through quality staff and program.

Special Interest Programs

Life Guarding – Scouts will learn advanced life guarding and swimming techniques, as well as many of the behind the scenes skills required to keep the most popular program areas at camp running clean and algae free.

Shooting Sports – Advanced safety skills and shooting sports techniques will be developed as part of the Shooting Sports SIP, fun shoots, and shooting competitions.

Handicraft – The Handicraft SIP offers Scouts a chance to hone their craftsmanship and learn about special craft skills including stained glass, metalworking and leather tooling. 

Health and Fitness – The health lodge SIP focuses on honing a Scout’s emergency response skills.  Scouts will learn about the history of emergency response, participate in a realistic first aid demonstration and learn worst-case scenario techniques for rescue and lifesaving.

Nature – The ecosystem in which we live is one of the most fascinating and important aspects of human life.  Scouts in this SIP will go on a River Raid for exotic Octroraran animals, observe snakes and other animals feeding, and hike the Horseshoe Trail. 

Campcraft – Scouts who wish to hone their camping and pioneering skills will enjoy this SIP.  In addition to advanced woodsman skills, Scouts will also learn decorative knots and timber-making exercises.

COPE and Mountain Biking (Both of these are at Camp Horseshoe)

COPE -  Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience that consists of a rope course of activity and reflection designed to develop skills in leadership, problem solving, communication, trust, decision-making and teamwork. COPE provides the opportunity for individual and team growth as through challenges designed to test skills and character. Highlights of a week at COPE include rappelling from a 35-foot rappelling tower, riding on a 300-foot rip line, and climbing a vertical playground.

COPE meets Monday through Thursday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM and on Friday, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. There is a $8.00 charge.  The minimum age for participation is 14. Scouts completing COPE receive a segment for the Ware patch. 

Open Rappelling and Climbing - The rappelling tower will be open from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM daily for Scouts ages 13 and older to learn and participate in these activities. Participants must wear long pants. At times, the tower may be closed due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.

Mountain Biking - Several Mountain biking trails have been designed to challenge Scouts and adults physically and mentally while building cross-country biking skills. Our experienced Mountain Biking staff offers many rides throughout the week open to all Scouts 14 and older. Adults may ride free of charge if there is room on the guided ride. A segment is awarded, for the Ware patch to those who ride at least 5 times in the morning or 3 of 4 times in the afternoon.

Scouts may bring their own bikes or use bikes provided by camp. Due to safety and environmental concerns, Scouts may not ride bicycles unless being led by one of our Mountain Biking staff members. All other bike riding is prohibited and all bicycles must be registered and stored at the Maintenance building when not in use. Fees, use of camp bike $6.00, using own bike $1.00
 

Food Services

Waiters

Select one Scout per table for your unit (8 campers per table) to serve as the waiter for each meal. Waiter duty should rotate between campers, and each day they should report to the dining hall 20 minutes before the meal to prepare the tables for the meal.  The Dining Hall Steward will guide the waiters in successfully setting the tables, bringing out food, and cleaning up following the meal.

Part-time Leaders

Part-time leaders may purchase meal tickets from the trading post. Prices for meals are as follows:

• Breakfast:     $6.00

• Lunch:           $7.00

• Dinner           $9.00

Government Milk Program

The Chester County Council, BSA participates in the special milk program for children at both camps and the council has assured the Pennsylvania Department of Education that all campers in these camps are served milk regardless of race, color, religion, disability, sex, or national origin, and there is no discrimination to the serving of the milk. The Chester County Council, BSA further agrees to the "Fair Hearing Procedure" if there arise any complaints concerning the free milk distribution.

Health and Safety

Closed toe shoes must be worn at all times, when traveling around camp: exceptions are not made for the pool and shower house.

Swimming in the creek is prohibited.

Every Scout and leader must have a completed health form. All forms become a permanent camp record and are unavailable for return. Make copies for your files

Leaders are encouraged to remind Scouts that daily bathing prevents illness and promotes cleanliness. Pool house showers are marked clearly for Adult Male and Female, Staff, and youth Scouts. No Scouts may use the Adult Showers or vise versa. An adult is anyone over the age of 18.

Upon arrival at camp, check all medications with the health officer at the health lodge.

Firearms

Personal Weapons are not allowed in camp. (Rifles, shotguns, arrows, paint ball guns, BB guns, etc.)

Pets and Wildlife

Leave all pets at home! Pets of any type are not permitted in camp.

Scouts should be informed that all wildlife encountered on the Reservation must be left undisturbed. If an animal’s presence presents a problem in your campsite, please inform headquarters staff. Please do not attempt to remove or capture any animal or allow any Scouts to do so.

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs

Alcoholic beverages and controlled substances are not allowed on camp property. Violators will be asked to leave and the proper authorities will be informed if deemed necessary.

BSA Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs Policy

It is the responsibility of the Boy Scouts of America to protect the health and safety of the young people in our program. It is the policy of the Boy Scouts of America that leaders should not use tobacco products in any form in the presence of youth members. In addition, extreme care should be exercised to provide smoke-free environments for all Scouting participants.

All buildings or facilities under the control of the council are designated non-smoking facilities. Smoking outside entrance/exit or at any location, is not permitted. In addition, all Scouting functions, meetings, or activities are conducted on a smoke free-basis with permitted smoking areas located away from all participants.

For designated smoking areas, contact the camp director or program director.

Campfires

• The danger of fire in camp is very serious. There can be no allowance for carelessness with a danger this great.

• All fires in the sites must be in a fire ring.

• No flames, matches, candles, lanterns, stoves, etc. in tents.

• The fireguard chart provided must be posted, carefully monitored, and signed each day before inspection.

• Fire buckets, barrels and Indian pumps are for fire fighting only and must be topped off each day.

• Propane stoves and lanterns can only be used under close adult supervision.

• No liquid fuels are permitted.

• No fires are to be left unattended by an adult.

Contacting Campers

Telephones

There is one pay phone in headquarters for the use of Scouts and Scout leaders. A Scout leader must accompany all Scouts from their unit in order to use the phone. Please limit the number and length of calls. Please discourage parents from calling their sons. Remind them that the Scouts are not near the phone so messages will have to be taken and calls returned.

The number at Camp Ware is
717‑548‑2786

Letters to Camp

Letters generally take 7 to 10 days to arrive at camp from northern Chester County. Please address letters as follows:

Camp Ware
Scout’s Name & Troop Number
239 Jubilee Rd.
Peach Bottom PA, 17563
-OR-
camp_ware@yahoo.com

Each campsite has a mailbox in the HQ building and leaders should check it daily.
 

Trading Post

The camp maintains a well-stocked trading post. Hours may vary, but the trading post is usually open throughout the day and evening except during meal times and camp wide activities. Items such as candy, soft drinks, personal items, and needed program items such as merit badge books and crafts are available. Additionally, the trading post stocks items like compasses, Scout knives, T-shirts, Belts, Buckles, Patches. History tells us that the average Scout spends a minimum of $50 dollars in the trading post during a Scout week.

Trading Post Hours

 8:30 - 12:15

1:30 - 5:15

7:00 - 8:00

After Closing Campfire and During Chicken Dinner

Note: Store hours are subject to change

Awards and Recognition

Order of the Arrow

The Order of the Arrow (OA) is a national honor association and service organization that was founded to recognize those Scouts and leaders who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily life.  A special flap on their right hand uniform pocket and a sash worn during lodge activities identifies members. 

Camp Ware is served by the Octoraro Lodge 22, a thriving group of dedicated Scouts and Scouters who are responsible for maintaining the facilities and traditions of the camp.  Eligibility for Scouts is determined with leader approval, rank, and camping tenure.  Annual elections are held by troops under the direction of a Lodge official.

Once elected Scouts are “called out” in a solemn ceremony, they then must complete an “ordeal” by which they demonstrate their skills and dedication to Scouting.  We hold “call outs” during the closing campfire on Friday night.  All OA members are encouraged to wear their sash during Friday retreat.

Units wishing to conduct elections or participate in the “call out” ceremony should contact the designated OA Camp Chief.  We cannot conduct elections for out-of-council troops, but they may participate in the “call out” ceremony if a letter from their lodge reporting election results is delivered to the Camp Chief.

Before in council troops leave Saturday morning, please check your mailbox for the candidate’s paperwork; it details the registration for the ordeal work weekend, cost, and what to bring.  There will be one set of forms for each candidate “called out” Friday night.  If you need additional sets, they are available at the Council Service Center.
 

Silver Buckle

A silver buckle is awarded to one youth member from each troop, who, in the opinion of his fellow Scouts, has demonstrated the finest example of Scout Spirit and has lived the Scout Oath and Law in his conduct throughout the week.  The Scout selected must have been in camp all week, but under the age of 18 and has never received the award before.

 

100% Patrol Award

A one hundred percent patrol segment is awarded to those patrols that have 100% of their natural patrol in camp all week.  The award is a segment for the Ware patch. 

 

Standard Patrol Award

The standard patrol always is awarded to natural patrols of at least four Scouts who satisfactorily complete advancement, participation, and one service requirement. 

Standard Troop Award

The standard troop award is an award given to troops with at least two natural patrols or at least 50% of their natural patrols in camp.  All patrols must earn the standard patrol award and the troop must qualify by having participated in camp-wide events to the satisfaction of the Program Director.  The troop must also earn the clean camp award.

Clean Camp Award

Earned by maintaining clean camp standards. Your site will be inspected on a routine basis

Camp Ware Emblem Patch

A round 3” patch is an award given to all first year campers. A year segment is an award each Scout earns if he has:

• Conducted himself to the Scout Law

• Shown spirit in a sincere effort to advance himself in Scouting

• Accomplished such objectives that troop/patrol leadership sets

• Attended camp the entire time with his troop.

 

Miscellaneous

Leaving Camp Early

If, for any reason, a leader or a Scout needs to leave camp, a unit leader that is at least 18 years of age MUST sign them out at Headquarters. If, for any reason, a camper will not return that week, please notify Headquarters staff. If a leader or Scout becomes ill, they must be signed out at the health lodge (hour permitting) if it is not possible that night, notify the health lodge or headquarters the next day... No refunds will be given if a leader/Scout is not signed out of camp upon leaving the reservation.

Last Day Chicken Dinner

At the end of the session, we will have our World Famous Chicken finger dinner, to which parents, siblings, and guests are invited. This is a buffet style dinner. Units must register the number of tickets they will need to reserve for this meal BY Check-in.

Scouts and Leaders chicken dinners are included in your camp fees; pick up your tickets at checkout. The cost of tickets for a guest is $7.50 per person with children under 3 years free of charge.

Stake-A-Claim

Unit leaders wanting to “stake a claim” for the same site for the same period next summer, may do so at check-out.  These claims can only be made while your troop is in camp; in council units not staking a claim at camp may make reservations anytime prior to Labor Day on a first come, first serve basis. Out of council units may stake a claim after Labor Day. A $50.00 reservation fee must accompany the Stake a Claim form. This is a site fee only, not part of Scout or Leader Fees, and is non-refundable.
 

Lost and Found

Finders should bring any items to the headquarters building. Please inquire about lost items at headquarter front des

Check-out and Pick-up

Checkout begins at 10am on the day of departure for each group in camp. After breakfast, units will report to their sites, pack their gear, and wait for the final inspection by the camp commissioner or his designee. Also, please make a time to meet with the business manager to complete the financial checkout.

 

Information contained on the website is the property of the
Horseshoe Scout Reservation, Chester County Council, B.S.A.

©2004-2007 CCCBSA

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