One highlight of our Scout year is our week at summer camp.  Last year, the summer camp program was virtual, but In August, we’ll be going to Resica Falls Scout Reservation in the Poconos.  We had a great time at Resica in 2019, and it’ll be fun to go back.

Summer camp brings swimming, boating, archery, crafts, riflery, fishing, and the chance to work on outdoor merit badges.  It also includes our outpost hike, a chance to earn merit badges and lots of other opportunities for fun.

2021 Summer Camp

• 2021 Summer Camp Guide – This booklet contains the following information:
  • Directions to Camp
  • General information about the camp including mailing address and phone numbers
  • A list of what to bring to camp
  • Information about spending money
  • Our schedule in camp
  • Lots of information about the camp’s program
• Summer Camp Junior Leader Information – This is the handout from our junior leaders meeting. It has all the instructions to allow our junior leaders to prepare for camp and do a good job when they get there.
• Summer Camp Adult Leader Information – Includes the goals for our adult leaders at camp, and might be good reading for adults coming to help out

Preparing for Summer Camp:

Sign Up for Merit Badges

Deadline:  July 17, 2021

• Start by carefully reviewing the Troop 541/542 Merit Badges for 2021 Summer Camp info packet
• Next choose which badges you plan to work on at what time
• Use the 2021 Summer Camp Merit Badge Request Form to submit your preferred Merit Badges.

Medical Forms

Deadline: August 2, 2021

• Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A, B & C are required)
  All summer camp participants, both youth and adult, are required to complete this form annually. That includes the portion completed by a physician. There are a set of FAQs pertaining to this change on the BSA Web site.
• Photocopy of Insurance card:  Along with the completed Medical Form, a photocopy of the front and back of a parents/guardian’s insurance card need to be submitted (same deadline as Medical Forms)
• Summer Camp Drug Administration Form
  All Scouts going to camp must have a Parent fill out and sign this form. It gives the camp medical staff permission to administer over the counter medications to the boy. It also provides instructions for administration of any prescription medications the scout needs to bring to camp.
• Allergy Action Plan Form
  Please submit a copy of this allergy action plan with your medical form, if you have severe allergies that might require emergency action.
• Medical Storage Release Form (for adults only)
  Adults who wish to retain their own medications, rather than have them administered by the camp staff, must complete and sign this release.
• RFSR Dietary Information Disclosure form (ONLINE ONLY)
  If you have food allergy or dietary restrictions, fill out this form at least two weeks before camp and submit to the Council directly (instructions in the form).  Also send this information to Mark Krueger and Arland Hotchkiss (click HERE to email both) for Troop records.
• NEW: Any adult planning to stay overnight in camp, must be registered with the troop (can no longer just come as a guest). This would require YPT and background checks along with a completed BSA Adult application. Details on completing this training can be found here

Tent Pairings

• The tents at Resica Falls hold two people, but due to COVID restrictions, this year it will be one camper per tent.
• A cluster of tents surrounding a dining fly will be assigned to each Patrol to use as their Patrol’s area
• Scouts must tent in their Patrol’s area.

Arrange Transportation To/From Camp

Transportation, as been the case this past year, is the responsibility of each family. Please keep the following transportation related facts in mind:

• Transportation of Scouts both ways will be accomplished by parents
• Space for parking and unloading cars is very limited so if you are comfortable car-pooling, please do so
• Keep in mind that Scouts will have foot lockers and other gear that will require space in the vehicle

Drivers transporting scouts home from camp on August 13 are requested to to be at camp no later than 4:00 PM.

Get Everything Packed

Deadline: August 8, 2021

By the day before we leave, everyone should be packed and ready as follows:

• Medical paperwork listed above turned in
• Merit badge request form submitted
• You know where your parents will be so we can reach them in case of emergency
• UPDATED: You have arranged with your Patrol Leader or Guide to have a backpack and vittles kit (fork/spoon/spork) for our outpost hike. The Troop has backpacks available to loan, but Patrol leaders are expected to organize this by working with the quartermasters ahead of time. DO NOT EXPECT TO HAVE A BACKPACK AVAILABLE UNLESS PRE-ARRANGED. New Scouts are NOT expected to purchase a backpack for the overnight. 
• Your Class A uniform; Scout Shirt, Troop Neckerchief, Scout Pants (shorts preferred), Scout Belt, and Scout Socks, is complete and ready to wear on Sunday morning
• If you’re bringing any medication, it’s in a zip lock bag with your name and Troop 542 clearly marked on it and ready to turn in at the church
• Your extra key for your lock, or a copy of the combination is ready to turn in at the church
• You have a brown bag lunch for Sunday
• You have a sleeping bag either stuffed into its stuff bag or packed in your footlocker
• Everything else is packed in a locked footlocker (a suggested list is in the 2021 Summer Camp Guide). If you need a footlocker you can try Walmart or Amazon

Meet at Supplee at 8:30 AM on August 8

Be at the church ready to go on Sunday August 8 at 8:30 AM, don’t forget the following:

• Be sure you’re in your complete Class A summer uniform (Scout Shirt, Troop Neckerchief, Scout Shorts, Scout Belt, and Scout Socks). If you don’t have Scout Shorts you may wear long Scout Pants, but this is undesirable.
• If you’re bringing any medication, prescription or non-prescription, make sure it’s in a zip lock bag with your name and Troop 542 clearly marked on it. This bag must be turned in upon arrival at the church. Scouts may not have pills or medications in your possession at camp. The only exceptions are insulin, asthma inhalers, and EPI pens for those who need them. Adults may retain their own medications, but must provide a signed release to the camp office in order to do so.
• Bring an extra key for your lock, or a copy of the combination to turn in at the church before departure
• Bring a brown bag lunch. The first meal we’ll get at camp will be Sunday’s dinner.

Summer Camp Fee

The full price is $430.  If you were able to submit the required $50 deposit by the April deadline, we still may be able add you to the list.  If you are interested in attending, please get in contact with Thomas Rhodes ASAP so you can provide the $50 deposit.  The full payment is due by May 3.

Scouts attending any other Summer program event at Resica are eligible for a discount on their Summer Camp fee.