Dear Scoutmasters,

Thank you very much for choosing to spend your 2008 summer camp experience with us at Camp Horseshoe. We have a great summer staff who will carry on our strong traditions and deliver an excellent program for your Scouts this summer.

Please keep in mind that you are encouraged to attend the pre-camp meeting at camp at 5:45 on the Tuesday evening before your troop arrives in camp. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please mail your medical forms to camp the week before you arrive. This will speed up the check-in process. We would like to invite you to watch the retreat ceremony and have dinner with us in the dining hall. After dinner, we will have a meeting on the front porch of headquarters where we will collect medical forms, go over the merit badge schedule, answer questions, and offer tours of the camp. If you are unable to attend, please mail your medical forms to camp about a week in advance. This ensures a smooth check-in time on Sunday.

Each evening at 5:45, we gather on the parade field for the retreat ceremony where we pay our respects to the flag. For this ceremony and for the evening meal, we request that all Scouts and leaders wear a full class A uniform, but require at least a class A uniform shirt. Please make sure that all Scouts and leaders bring their uniform shirts with them to camp. 

The Horseshoe facility continues to improve each year. I will be serving as Camp Director again this summer and Noah Austin in his third year as Program Director. I hope you are as excited about this summer as the Horseshoe staff. We look forward to seeing you at camp.

Yours in Scouting,
Mike Berkeihiser
Camp Director
 

Nationally Accredited

The Horseshoe Scout Reservation
is a Nationally Accredited
B.S.A. Facility.

Payment Schedule

You should use the following table of dates as a guideline for making pre-camp preparations. Remember that all payments received after the due date or at camp, will be subject to paying the full fees, and that you risk losing your campsite by not meeting deadlines.

The number of Scouts on your final roster determines the final number you will be charged for; adjustments will be made accordingly.

Refunds (See Chester County Council Boy Scout Resident Camp Refund Policy)

• The $50.00 Stake-a-Claim deposit is non-refundable. This is a site fee only and is not included in other fees. The $35.00 per camper (Scout and leader) deposit is non-refundable but is transferable within the troop and becomes part of the final fee.

• A Scout/leader who attends camp and must leave early due to illness or injury will receive a prorated refund minus the $50.00 cancellation fee.

• A Scout/leader who cancels out of camp after paying in full must submit in writing his reasons for doing so, his refund will be at the discretion of the Horseshoe Scout Reservation Director, minus the $50.00 cancellation fee and the $35 deposit.

All refund requests must be in writing and submitted to the Camping Department before August 31^st. No refunds are made after this date. (See Boy Scout Resident Camp Refund Policy)

Campsite Information - All campsites are arranged by patrol and are equipped with a latrine, washstand, water faucet, patrol tarps, tables, steel spring cots, and a leader's shelter or tent. Troops falling short of or exceeding the campsite capacity of their assigned site may be assigned to another site or asked to share their site with another unit at the Camp Director's discretion.
 

For Scoutmasters and Senior Patrol Leaders

Leadership at Camp - The best and only leadership method in Scouting is” Patrol Method. Camp Horseshoe's program will help strengthen and build Patrols.

Here are a few dos and don'ts:

·   Do allow Patrols to plan and carry out some of the things they think of and want to do.

·   Do allow for and suggest some free time so that a Scout can go and experience interesting areas of Camp with a pal or two.

·   Do be sure that throughout the week Scouts achieve personal advancement while having fun.

·   Do set a tone that lends real class to any troop. Insist on manners, good fellowship, sportsmanship, clean fun and a clean camp.

·   Do informally talk to each Patrol every day so that you know what is going on.

·   Don't allow Scouts to get too busy to enjoy themselves. Camp should be a challenge, but not a grind.

·   Don't emphasize activities that can be better-done back home; take advantage of the unique things that Horseshoe has to offer.

·   Don't give Scouts a title and a leadership position and then do all the leading yourself.

Remember, all troops must have two-deep adult leadership at all times!

Planning Advancement - The merit badge program is described completely in this guide. Take some time to look over the schedule and the descriptions of the badges; consult with your Scouts individually; and, help them assemble a realistic, satisfying schedule for the week.

It is likely that additions and alterations to our merit badge schedule will occur between the time this guide is published and your arrival at Camp. Changes will be announced at the Tuesday night Scoutmaster's meeting the week prior to your arrival and will be available through the camp office. Please don't finalize individual schedules until you have confirmed them with the camp.

First-year Scouts who are currently working towards their first few ranks are encouraged to take part in the Trailblazers program, emphasizing the skills for Tenderfoot through First Class.

Planning Special Troop Activities - There are many opportunities for your Troop and Patrols to pursue some special interests while at camp. Some of the more popular activities include Troop archery shoots, rifle shoots, swims, rappelling, and tubing in the Octoraro River. The special Troop archery and rifle shoots and rappelling are held from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM, Monday through Saturday, at the respective ranges. Troop swims and tubing begins at 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

All special activities will be arranged by the Program Director at the Sunday evening Scoutmaster's meeting. You will be given a form in the Unit Guide upon arrival at camp to indicate your choices. Because of the number of troops in camp, a lottery system may be used to distribute the program activities among the troops.

The Pre-Camp Orientation - All Scoutmasters and Senior Patrol Leaders are cordially invited to Camp Horseshoe for dinner at 6:00 PM the Tuesday before your Troop is scheduled to arrive in camp. Immediately following dinner, there will be an IMPORTANT MEETING on the front porch of the Headquarters Building, where program schedules and general camp business will be discussed.

Please be sure to bring with you copies of your Troop's Medical Records so that the Camp Health Officer can review them. By bringing them to this meeting, they can be reviewed and incorrect forms can be corrected before the start of camp. Medical Records that are correct will be kept at the Health Lodge, expediting the check-in process on Sunday.

This meeting is an excellent opportunity for Leaders to ask questions and meet the camp staff. In addition, any changes in the program from what is published in this guide will be discussed, including possible additions and revisions of the merit badge schedule. Therefore, this Tuesday evening meeting is highly recommended for troop leaders, both new and old to Horseshoe.

 

Camp Fees - Full Scout fees are $299.00/wk discounted at $284.00/wk payable by due date. Leader’s $158.00/wk full fee discounted at $142.00 payable by due date. (see final payment schedule) Two registered leaders must be present at camp with the unit at all times. This is for the safety and protection of your Scouts, so there is no exception to this rule. No overnight guests other than registered Scouts and leaders are permitted.

Part-time leaders serving for a 24 hour period will be charged $22 (a pro-rated fee of the averaged cost of a week’s stay) per day/night.  Visiting leaders (adults staying for one day only and not spending the night) are charged for meals at a rate of $6.00 for breakfast, $7.00 for lunch, and $9.00 for dinner.  Leaders planning to attend the evening meal must wear a Class ‘A’ uniform.

Reservation System - A $50.00 Troop Stake-a-Claim fee secures your choice of week and site until March 31. This is a site fee only and not included in the Scout or leaders fees. Claims can only be made while your Troop is in camp or after Labor Day on a first-come, first-served basis. September 1st is the deadline for the reservation fee. A Stake-a-claim form and the $50.00 fee must be submitted at that time. This is a reservation only and is not refundable or applied to your final payment.

The $35.00 per camper deposit, due March 31, secures your choice of week and site. Units failing to meet these deadlines will no longer have a valid claim to their site, and it may be given to another troop that pays the required fees.

Refunds (See Chester County Council Boy Scout Resident Camp Refund Policy)

·   The $50.00 Troop Stake-a-Claim deposit is non-refundable. (site fee only and not included in other fees)

·   The $35.00/Camper deposit is non-refundable but is transferable within the troop and becomes part of the final fee.

·   A Scout/leader who attends camp and must leave early due to illness or injury will receive a prorated refund minus the $50.00 cancellation fee. Individuals unable to attend camp due to circumstances beyond their control (such as illness) may request a refund of fees. Individuals will lose their complete payment when they cancel unless a letter is submitted explaining these circumstances beyond their control.  Please Note: Changing your mind does not constitute a reason for a refund. once a camp fee has been paid, it is applied to the costs of running camp and locks out another scout from coming. All requests should be made before a scheduled date of attendance (but must be made by August 31, 2008).

·   A Scout/leader who cancels out of camp after paying in full must submit in writing his reasons for doing so, his refund will be at the discretion of the Council Camping Department, minus the $50.00 cancellation fee and the $35 per Camper fee..

·   All refund requests must be in writing and submitted to the Camping Department before August 31^st. No refunds are made after this date. (See Boy Scout Resident Camp Refund Policy)

Scouts with disabilities - Camp Horseshoe has a long history of accommodating physically or mentally challenged Scouts. Many of our facilities are handicapped accessible. We have available a portable "tent frame" which can be set up in any tent campsite. Ramps can be located on a where-needed basis. Every effort will be made to meet the needs of your Scout(s). If you, as a Leader, have a need for special accommodations for one of your Scouts, please inform the Camp Director prior to your arrival.

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

©2004-2008 CCCBSA