Troop 1086 - Beaumont

2019 Summer Camp Info – Pfeffer Scout Reservation

A lengthy “Leader Guide” was sent to all troops who plan to attend Pfeffer Scout Reservation for Summer Camp. This page summarizes the information that our Scouts/parents need to know while preparing for the trip.

General Camp Information

Location

Pfeffer Scout Reservation
1531 Cross Road
Benton, Kentucky 42025

Camp Dates

June 16-22

We will meet at the Collinsville McDonald’s on Sunday morning. Please plan to leave at 8:30 AM. Allow item for packing and for breakfast, if desired.

Information From Lincoln Heritage Council

Preparation Topics

Health Form

All Scouts are required to have a completed BSA Health Form when they arrive at camp. Please give your completed health forms to one of the adult leaders as soon as it is complete. We’d like to confirm that we have them all BEFORE the day we’re supposed to leave.

As stated earlier… Please note that since this event is longer than 72 hours, parts A, B, and C need to be completed. Part C requires a doctor’s signature, so please plan accordingly.

Health forms are good for one year through the end of the month of the following year. So, a health form that was signed by a doctor any time in June of 2018 is good through the end of June 2019. Those who attended Summer Camp last year may not need to get a new form signed by a doctor.

Shooting Sports Authorization Form

Scouts who are in any of the following merit badge classes need to have a signed Shooting Sport Authorization Form:

  • Archery
  • BSA Airsoft
  • Paintball
  • Rifle
  • Shotgun

A link to the form is provided above. Please print and sign the form and turn it in to one of the adult leaders as soon as possible. Since these forms require a parent’s signature, we need to make sure all of our Scouts have a signed form (if needed) BEFORE we leave for camp.

Merit Badge Prerequisites

I recently learned that the Lincoln Heritage Council has a listing of merit badge prerequisites for this year’s camp. This information wasn’t available at the time of registration and it wasn’t communicated in the emails received from camp.

A link to the prerequisite document is provided above. Please be sure to look through the list as early as possible.

Most merit badge counselors are flexible when it comes to the prerequisites. It’s best to have the prerequisites done before arriving at camp, but the Scouts will still be able to participate in the classes even if they haven’t completed them all. They are required in order to earn the merit badge. So, if they have to be completed at a later time, the Scout/parents will have to coordinate with the counselor after camp in order to get merit badges signed off.

To avoid any extra work or delays, please make every attempt to have the prerequisites completed before we leave for camp.

Merit Badge Worksheets

Scouts should bring copies of the merit badge worksheets for each of the merit badge classes on their schedules. A great place to get these is the meritbadge.org website. The Scouts should fill out any prerequisite sections before we leave, that way they’ll be ready. They should also make sure they’ve read through the worksheets ahead of time so that they’re familiar with what they will be doing.

Each merit badge has a corresponding workbook. These contain lots of info about the specific merit badges. While Scouts are encouraged to review these items, it’s not absolutely necessary to bring them. Most can be reviewed online before camp. The troop’s “library” (which closely resembles 3 plastic storage boxes) has a couple of copies of many (if not all) of the merit badge workbooks. We will be taking them along. The Scouts are welcome to borrow them as needed.

Scout Handbook

All Scouts are encouraged to bring along their handbook. During the week, we will likely have an opportunity to work on some of the rank advancements, especially those that require camping with the troop.

Snacks

The Scouts are welcome to bring “cracker barrel” snacks to share with the group during the evenings. We’ll also have supplies in the trailer to make some evening snacks as time allows.

Scouts will not be allowed to store any food in their tent. All food must be stored in the trailer.

Spending Cash

There will be a “trading post” at the camp. Scouts should bring some spending cash along if they would like to get anything during the week. The camp guide recommends $50.

One-way travel to and from camp is over 3 hours. Because of this, we’ll likely stop along the way for a break. Additionally, we will most likely stop on the way to camp for lunch since the first meal served at camp isn’t until Sunday evening. Scouts should bring enough money to account for any food-related travel expenses.

Planning For Rain

We don’t know exactly what the weather will be like during our week at camp. However, so far it has been a fairly rainy year. Odds are high that it will rain at least once while we’re at camp.

Scouts should ensure they are ready in case it rains. Totes for storing clothes and personal items in the tents will keep these items dry even if water gets in the tent. A raincoat/poncho will keep the Scouts dry as they walk from our campsite to their classes and other activities. A second pair of hiking boots/shoes is handy if one pair gets wet. (Walking around in wet shoes or with wet socks is a great way to get blisters.)

Showers

Showering facilities will be available at camp. At Summer Camp, most Scouts are unlikely to take regular showers. While that’s fine, they will all take at least one shower, on the Saturday when we return.

Scouts should bring personal items needed for a shower. They should also bring a towel separate from the one they use at the pool/lake. It’s also strongly recommended that everyone bring some type of shower shoes (flip-flops, etc.) to wear while showering.

Family Night

Given the distance to camp, it’s totally understandable if most (or all) of our parents choose to NOT attend the family night event at camp. However, just in case anyone is extra ambitious…

Family night is on Friday night. We’ll need to know before we leave on Sunday if you plan to attend. All visitors are encouraged to arrive around 5 PM, and you will eat dinner with the Scouts. There is an $8 meal fee for each visitor. A campfire at the amphitheater starts that evening at 7:15 PM.

Hiking, Chafing, and Blisters

We’ll be doing a lot of walking during the week. Those prone to chafing or blisters should plan ahead and bring along any items that they may need.

Gold Bond (or similar) powder and other products such as Body Glide can help prevent chafing.

Wearing hiking boots that fit well along with dry socks will help to prevent blisters. If a blister is about to start, covering the area with a bandage, moleskin, or even some duct tape can help prevent it from getting worse.

Packing List

The council has provided the following as a suggested packing list for camp. As always, use common sense. Scouts should bring what they’ll need but also not over-pack. We should be able to park the trailer next to our campsite, so the Scouts shouldn’t have to haul their gear long distances. Regardless, any unnecessary items should be left at home.

In addition to this list, be sure to also check our own general packing list for week-long camps. There’s a lot of overlap between these, but by checking both you’ll have a better feel for what’s needed and what’s not.

Gear Storage

It’s recommended that each Scout brings a plastic tote for their items. This helps to ensure that the Scout’s items stay dry in case it rains and water somehow gets into the tents. Having one small enough to fit under their cot is ideal because that allows for more room in the tents.

What NOT To Bring To Camp

  • Pets
  • Firearms or weapons
  • Fireworks
  • Video games
  • Radios
  • Bicycles
  • Items of value
  • Illegal drugs or alcohol

Scouts will be eating the meals provided by the camp, so they should not bring their own meals. They can bring snacks to eat during the week. However, ALL FOOD MUST BE STORED IN THE TRAILER AT ALL TIMES. Scouts cannot store ANY food in their tents.

Suggested Items To Bring To Camp

  • Complete Scout BSA Uniform
  • T-shirts (5)
  • Shorts or pants (5)
  • Socks (6 pairs) – Socks & shoes should be worn at all times
  • Underwear (6)
  • Shoes (at least 2 pairs in case one gets wet) – No open-toed shoes
  • Closed-toe water shoes
  • Light jacket or sweatshirt
  • Hat
  • Swimming trunks
  • Poncho or rain suit
  • Health form
  • Blankets or sleeping bag
  • Pillow
  • Cot
    (The information provided has conflicting info regarding cots. Some information says that cots are provided, while other documents state that Scouts should bring a cot in case there are not enough at camp. To be safe, it’s recommended that all of our Scouts bring a cot.)
  • Storage tote for keeping items clean/dry while in the tents. (While not required, it’s helpful if they can fit under the Scout’s cot.)
  • Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)
  • Items such as Gold Bond / Body Glide / etc. to prevent chafing
  • Camera
  • A watch to help with the day’s schedule
  • Money for the trading post ($50 suggested)
  • Money for meals during travel
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Pocket knife (with Totin’ Chip)
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Water bottle
  • Day pack (to carry the items they’ll need during the day)
  • Notebook for writing
  • Pencils/pens
  • Merit badge books (The troop library has many of these)
  • Merit badge worksheets
  • Handbook
  • Towel to use for showers
  • Towel for use at the pool (separate from the one above)
  • Shower shoes
  • Medications, if needed (in the original labeled bottle)
  • Personal first aid kit, including items to prevent/treat blisters