Battlefield District Fall Camporee 2016 Merit Badge Weekend October 7 th, 8 th, and 9 th VFW Post 9808 7168 Flag Lane, Mechanicsville, VA 23111
2016 Fall Merit Badge Camporee August 31, 2016 Scoutmasters, Troops and Webelos Dens from the Battlefield District are invited to attend the 2016 Fall Merit Badge Camporee and Webeloree. This year, as in the past, the event will be held at the Mechanicsville VFW Post 9808, 7168 Flag Lane, Mechanicsville, VA, 23111, the weekend of October 7 th through the 9 th. The VFW Post is located at the junction of Cold Harbor and Bell Creek Roads in Mechanicsville. This is a very public and visible location. We hope to have media coverage from several different media outlets, so be prepared. Chapter 5 of Nawakwa Lodge of the Order of the Arrow has the pleasure of hosting this event for you this year, as we have in years past. We look forward to a weekend full of Merit Badges, fun, and opportunities unique to this event. The Merit Badges that will be offered range from beginner to Eagle required, and will include several badges not typically offered at Scout camps. Special programming for the weekend will include a flag retirement ceremony led by VFW Post members and a Saturday night campfire. We are still looking for Merit Badge counselors for this event. If you or another counselor you know would be willing to volunteer for our Camporee, please contact me by email or cell phone. I am looking forward to what is sure to be an exciting weekend, and am looking forward to seeing each of you, and your scouts in October. Thank You, Andrew Gayle Camporee Chairman Nagatamen Chapter 5 Email AGayle144@gmail.com Cell Phone (804)-551-0283
2016 Battlefield District Fall Camporee Introduction The 2016 Fall Camporee and Merit Badge Weekend is being coordinated by Chapter 5 (Nagatamen) of Nawakwa Lodge of the Order of the Arrow. This is done in accordance with the founding principles of the Order of the Arrow to promote camping and to develop youth leadership. Goal To provide opportunities to scouts of all ages and experience levels by giving ample exposure to the development and application of such scouting and life skills as leadership, responsibility, and vocational skills taught in Merit Badges, as well as helping Scouts advance in their quest for the Eagle Rank. Dates October 7 th, 8 th, and 9 th Registration Units may register online using the BSA Double Knot system (preferred method) at: Mail in registration will also be accepted. On-site check in will begin at 4:00pm on Friday, October 7 th at the VFW Post. Enter using the 3rd VFW entrance off of Flag Lane. Please have a roster of attendees upon arrival to ensure the process runs quickly and smoothly. Merit Badges Merit Badge classes will be held Saturday morning and afternoon on an AM/PM/all day schedule. This means that some classes will be offered as a half day course (morning or afternoon), while others will take both periods. These are outlined in the special (working) list of merit badge offerings. Our intent is to have open enrollment for all the classes. The numbers shown for class sizes are guidelines only. Please let us know how many scouts would like to sign up for what Merit Badges so we can do our best to accommodate their preferences. Merit badge signups will be online at http://scoutingvirginia.doubleknot.com/event/2016-battlefield-district-boy-scout-fall-merit-badgecamporee/1975976 http://scoutingvirginia.doubleknot.com/event/2016-battlefield-district-boy-scout-fall-merit-badgecamporee/1975976. Scouts should carefully examine any pre-requisites for the Merit Badges they are interested in participating. Failure to complete these pre-requisites will result in a partial merit badge. Scouts should bring pen and paper, along with any other materials noted. We will be using the blue card system for merit badges. Scoutmasters are asked to send scouts to the classes with the blue cards filled out. Webelos There is no program for the Webelos this year. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Webelos may still attend the event but their program will have to be provided by their units and leaders. All Webelos, dens and individuals, will need to register with a Scout Troop. Uniforms Official Field uniforms ( Class A ) are required during transportation to and from the Camporee, during the campfire, and during Sunday Morning Chapel. Activity or Class B uniforms (shorts or pants and a Scout t-shirt) are permitted on Saturday during Merit Badge instruction and free time. These requirements apply to both Scouts and Adult leaders.
Concessions There will be a concession stand near the administration area. The concession stand will be selling hot dogs, chips, drinks, etc. All proceeds will go to Nagatamen Chapter 5. Fires NO GROUND FIRES WILL BE PERMITTED. Above ground fire pits are allowed, provided they do not scorch the ground. The VFW is very gracious in allowing us to use their facilities, and we must leave their grounds in good shape. No firewood is available; you must bring your own. NO FLAMES IN TENTS or shelters of any type. BSA Policy on the Storage, Handling, and Use of Chemical Fuels and Equipment: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/680-013wb.pdf Water Water will be available but limited at the camp site. Units are encouraged to bring their own water if possible. Please be sure to bring proper containers. Behavior Scouts and Scouters are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Scout Oath and Law. Troop leaders and camporee staff will have the final say on any behavior issues. PLEASE KEEP BOYS IN THE CAMPOREE AREA AT ALL TIMES! Other Activities Flag Retirement Ceremony Representatives of the VFW Color Guard will conduct a Flag Retirement Ceremony during the weekend. Units can bring old, worn, unusable flags for retirement. We would like to have all the troops be part of the ceremony. Cook-off Competitions Troops are highly encouraged to prepare a dish for the competition. There will be both a scoutmaster and scout cook-off. Bring enough of your entry to feed four people. Submit your dish on Saturday by 6:30pm at the Administration table. Prizes will be awarded in both the youth and the adult categories. Clean Sweep Campsites will be inspected by the Camporee Staff during the morning session of Merit Badges. Awards will be given for the highest scoring Troops. Campfire We will have a closing campfire Saturday night. Troops will have an opportunity to present a song and/or a skit. The troops need to take their song or skit to the Communications merit badge class before the campfire starts. Awards for the cook off and clean sweep will be presented at the campfire. Chapel We will hold a camp-wide non-denominational Chapel Service on Sunday morning before departure. Spirt Award- The troop with the most amount of spirt and is the most excited about this weekend and had the most amount of fun. Camporee Contacts Andrew Gayle - Camporee Chairman - AGayle144@gmail.com (804)-551-0283 Kevin Bruce - OA Chapter 5 Chief - chapter5chief@nawakwa.org Tim Swingle OA Chapter 5 Adviser tim@nawakwa.org (804)-752-5599 Chapter 5 email - chapter5nawakwa@gmail.com
Schedule of Events Friday, October 7 th 4:00 PM-On Site Check in Begins 9:30 PM-Staff/SM/SPL meeting and cracker barrel - Moose pavilion 10:00 PM-Scouts in Camp 11:00 PM-Lights Out Saturday, October 8 th 7:00 AM-Reveille 8:30 AM-Opening Ceremonies 9:00 AM-Merit Badge AM Session Begins NOON-Scouts Break for Lunch 1:30 PM-Merit Badge PM Session Begins 4:00 PM-Merit Badge Session Ends 6:30 PM-Cook Off entries due 7:00 PM-Flag Retirement Ceremony (tentative time) 8:00 PM-Campfire/Closing Ceremonies 10:00 PM-Scouts in Camp 11:00 PM-Lights Out Sunday, October 9 th 6:30 AM-Reveille 8:30 AM-Chapel Service 9:00 AM-Departure and Check-out *Locations of events, instructions on where to park and campsite information will be available upon check-in. LEAVE NO TRACE PLEASE LEAVE THE CAMPSITE IN BETTER CONDITION THAN YOU FOUND IT AND HAVE A SAFE TRIP HOME!
2016 BATTLEFIELD DISTRICT FALL CAMPOREE Mail in REGISTRATION Troop Date Scoutmaster (or Acting SM at Camporee): Address: Telephone: E-mail: (most communication will be by email!) OA Troop Representative (youth): E-mail of rep (optional): Troop OA Assistant Scoutmaster: E-mail of above: Number of Scouts Attending: Number of Adults Attending: TOTAL x $10.00 ea. = $ Make all Checks Payable to: Heart of Virginia Council Tentative Merit Badge Sign-Up: (Attach Sheet if more room needed) or go to http://scoutingvirginia.doubleknot.com/event/2016-battlefield-district-boy-scout-fall-merit-badgecamporee/1975976 and sign up on line. Merit Badge Number Attending Please send registration forms to: Heart of Virginia Council 4015 Fitzhugh Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23230 (Any questions concerning the camporee should be directed to the event organizers and not the HOV Council.) Email address - chapter5nawakwa@gmail.com