2022 Summer Camp – Summit Bechtel Reserve – James C. Justice National Scout Camp

For 2022, our troop is heading to West Virginia to the Summit Bechtel Reserve to participate in their Summer Camp program.

The following is intended to help the Scouts (and their parents) and adult leaders who are planning to attend Summer Camp with our troop at Summit Bechtel Reserve in 2022.

Preparing For Camp

General Camp Info

Website: The Summit Bechtel Reserve – James C. Justice National Scout Camp

Important dates:

  • Camp dates: June 19-25, 2022 (Week “2”)
  • Merit badge registration opens: April 25, 2022 (8 AM CDT)
  • Merit badge registration closes: May 9, 2022
  • Rosters sent to units: May 23, 2022

Departure: June 18
Return home: June 25

Welcome Center Address
J.W. & Hazel Ruby Welcome Center
55 Hazel Ruby Lane
Mt. Hope, WV 25880

North Gate/Main Entrance (and mailing address)
2550 Jack Furst Drive
Glen Jean, WV 25846

Directions
We will first go to The J.W. and Hazel Ruby West Virginia Welcome Center located on Highway 19. After we check in with the registration staff at the Welcome Center, we will be directed onto the main site and your specific campsite by a Summit staff member. For wayfinding devices, it is best to use Google Maps to find this address.

Contact Info

Business number: 304-465-2800
Emergency number: 304-465-2900
Website: http://www.SummitBSA.org
Email: [email protected]

Most of the information on this page is a summary of the information provided by other sources. Links to those sources are below:

Required Forms

Cost

The following is a summary of the expected costs for Summer Camp. Some amounts will vary based on the Scout and their spending habits.

We do not want cost to be a reason for Scouts to NOT go to Summer Camp. In addition to the various fundraising opportunities we have for our Scouts, the troop has other means for helping our Scouts get to camp. Contact one of our adult leaders for more information.

Registration fee: $435.00 $485.00 (Includes a $50 Covid-Surcharge)

  • Half is due ASAP
  • The remainder is due March 7, 2022
  • If you wish to pay the full amount earlier, that is fine.

Please note that all fees are non-refundable.

Additional Costs:

  • Meals during travel
  • The trading post at camp ($70-$100 is the average per Scout, according to Summit)
  • There will be food trucks available at least one evening while we’re at camp
  • “Buy Up Opportunities” – There are some additional activities/classes that have additional costs. See below for more information.

COVID Info

Summit Bechtel Reserve has a web page that summarizes the special requirements and procedures they have put in place to help keep everyone safe and healthy.

CLICK HERE to view the latest info.

Be sure to view the information in the link above, as it lists items that all participants are REQUIRED to do/bring in order to attend camp.

The camp has discontinued the one-Scout-per-tent requirement. We can once again go back to the normal 2-Scouts per tent arrangement.

Also please note that the planning guide states that “No youth will stay in the tent of any adult”. It does not state any exceptions for a Scout tenting with their adult-leader parent.

Items Provided by the Camp

Unlike some of the other Summer Camps we have attended, this camp provides some items.

  • Tents
  • Cots
  • Dining Flies
  • Picnic Tables
  • Above-ground fire ring
  • Meals

Since we will be staying overnight on the way to camp at a different campsite, we will be taking the trailer. So, we will have all of our “normal” camping equipment available for use as needed. This also means we will have our tents for use during our overnight stay, as well as at Summer Camp (if they are needed).

We will be able to park the trailer and one vehicle at our campsite at Summit, so we won’t have to haul our gear for any long distances.

Travel

We’re venturing out a little further than normal for this event! Since registration on Sunday is from 11 AM to 3 PM, there’s pretty much no way we will get there on time. So, the current plans are to leave on Saturday and stay at a campground an hour or so from our destination. On the way back we plan to drive straight through, so we still plan to get back on Saturday…likely a bit late.

Items for the Scouts to Bring

Each of the Scouts is responsible for bringing along their own personal camping gear. Details and suggestions can be found on our event page.

Because we are staying one night at a different location before we arrive at Summer Camp, Scouts may want to bring items that are provided by Summit. For example, Summit provides cots, but if a Scout wants his cot at the campground we’re staying at before we arrive, he should bring his own.

Additionally, the Scouts should ensure that they have accounted for the following:

  • Completed health form, with parts A, B, and C completed
    • PLEASE NOTE: Be sure to complete the “Summit” version of the form
    • A doctor’s signature within 12 months of camp is required for Part C
    • A copy of the form is allowed (The copy will not be returned)
    • A copy will be made so that the adult leaders can also keep a copy while we are at camp
  • Signed Summit waiver
  • COVID vaccine/test info
  • Whitewater Release form
  • Health and Safety Code of Conduct form
  • A rescue inhaler for anyone with Asthma
  • Close-toed shoes are required
  • Water shoes
  • Personal first aid kit
  • Some type of backpack/daypack for storing items as they hike from one location to another

As normal, Scouts are encouraged to label their belongings as appropriate.

We will be doing a LOT of walking. Be prepared for this, and be sure to bring the appropriate clothes/shoes.

Optional Items

In addition to the items above and the items mentioned on our event page, Scouts may consider bringing the following items. (These are not required)

  • Solar shower bag
    • Showers are “ambient temperature”. (That’s a clever term for “cold”) They have mentioned this during more than one webinar. This is probably something everyone should at least consider.
    • Note that shower bags must contain no more than 2.5 gallons of water.
  • Battery pack for cell phone
  • Fishing equipment
    • A license is not required when fishing on the Summit main site
    • The camp practices catch-and-release

Cell Phones

Scouts are not required to bring cell phones, but they are welcome to do so. Wifi hotspots are available at camp.

As usual, Scouts are free to use their phones during travel. They can definitely make travel more tolerable for long trips such as this. However, also as usual, while at camp we ask that Scouts only use their phones for communications within our group and, if needed, to look up information for their merit badge classes or other activities.

Scouts camps are a great opportunity to “unplug” for both Scouts and adult leaders. Take advantage of the opportunity.

There are places to charge electronic devices, but do not leave your devices unattended!

Troop and Adult Leader Items

These are items we need to remember to bring as a troop.

  • Troop first-aid kit
  • Copies of all adult leader Youth Protection Training certificates
  • Two copies of the completed swim test master form that lists every person attending
  • 100 ft extension cord (Not exactly sure why, but it was recommended.)

Preparation Tasks

These are the things we need to do as a troop as we prepare for camp.

Identify Drivers
We need to make sure we have enough drivers to get the Scouts to/from camp. Ensuring that one of the vehicles can serve as a backup trailer puller would be good.

Identify SPL/ASPL
If our current SPL and ASPL are not attending camp, we need to ensure that the Scouts have identified individuals who will hold those positions while we are at camp.

Identify Chaplain’s Aide
There are a few tasks for the troop’s Chaplain’s Aide. We need to ensure that someone is identified to hold that position while at camp if our current Chaplain’s Aide is not attending.

Identify Any Health/Dietary Restrictions and Medical Needs
We need all of the Scouts and parents to help the troop identify any health or dietary restrictions that are needed ASAP. We can work with the camp to address these as needed. If anyone has any specific dietary needs or food allergies, please check their website for more info.

If medications are needed, those needs need to be coordinated with the adult leaders attending camp. PLEASE help us out by writing down the instructions on what the Scouts need to take while at camp.

The camp also requires that anyone with asthma issues carry a rescue inhaler at all times.

Training
It is recommended (but not required) that at least one (preferably two) adult leaders be trained in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. We will likely try to schedule a time when all of our adult leaders can attend the training.

Physical Conditioning
The camp is quite spread out. As a result, it’s not uncommon for participants to hike up to 8 miles each day. Additionally, given that West Virginia is the “Mountain State”, it is reasonable to assume that most of our walks/hikes will not resemble the level (horribly boring) terrain of Illinois that we are used to.

Because of this, the camp recommends that we start training during the Spring. Their recommendation is that we do 2-3 5-mile hikes per week leading up to camp week.

We will work with the Scouts and adult leaders to coordinate this effort.

Swim Test
We will complete a swim check BEFORE arriving at camp. They offer this at camp, however, due to the number of participants, they cannot guarantee that your swim check will not conflict with other activities. To avoid potential issues, we will do this before we arrive at camp.

Note that Scouts don’t HAVE to pass the swim test in order to attend. We simply need to conduct the swim test so that everyone can be identified as a Non-Swimmer, Beginner, or Swimmer.

Merit Badge Classe Registration

During the day, the Scouts will have opportunities to attend merit badge classes. This is similar to most other Summer Camp programs we have attended. HOWEVER, one big difference is the schedule…

In previous years, the Scouts basically had the same schedule every day. A timeslot during the day was allocated for each merit badge, and that same schedule was repeated Monday through Friday.

The schedule is very different at this camp. It essentially follows the “block schedule” concept. Each day is split into the following sections:

  • Morning Block
  • Afternoon Block
  • Evening Block

Most merit badge classes occur during the morning/afternoon blocks. A given merit badge will either cover one of the blocks (morning or afternoon), or it will span both morning and afternoon blocks for a given day. None of the merit badges span across multiple days, however, most are offered on multiple days. This means that the Scouts will be doing something different every day, and should be able to complete more merit badges. This will likely make each day a little more fun because each day will be something new. The Scouts will just have to be extra attentive to their schedules because…well…each day will be something new!

Merit Badge Class Registration

This camp uses the same “Black Pug Software” web app that our Council uses. Many of you have used it before, so it should at least look somewhat familiar.

Scouts will need to register for their own merit badge classes with help from their parents, using the registration app’s “Parent Portal”. Information will be sent to each Scout/parent that includes your “Parent Portal Login” information. This will take you to a special page where you can fill out your schedule. A video is provided at the bottom of this section that provides some instructions on using the Parent Portal.

While the troop is not primarily the ones who will register Scouts for merit badge classes, we will obviously help out as needed. Email reminders will be sent out as we approach the key registration date. Please watch your inbox for details!

CLICK HERE to view the merit badge class catalog

Each class in the schedule indicates the day of the week it is offered. If a class is offered on more than one day, it will be listed multiple times. As described above, Scouts will only need to register for ONE of them.

One class registration = One Merit Badge

Each class also indicates the class time:

  • 8 – 11 AM: This class occurs during the morning block
  • 1 – 4 PM: This class occurs during the afternoon block
  • 8 – 4 PM: This class covers BOTH the morning and afternoon blocks for the given day

Note that the schedule also includes various activities for the evening block. Scouts can register for these events as well. The adult leaders attending will meet before registration opens. During that meeting, we may discuss schedule options for having all of our Scouts do some of these all on the same day, that way they can do them together as a group. More info will be shared before class registration opens.

Note that, on some days, there are camp-wide evening events, so no activities are offered.

Some classes/activities require an additional fee, which is listed in the catalog. These are some of the “buy-up” options discussed in the section below. Please be aware of this when registering. Parents will likely pay these extra fees when the registration is submitted.

Merit Badge Books

Each class in the catalog includes a link to a PDF version of the merit badge’s workbook. Scouts are STRONGLY encouraged to read through the workbook for each of their registered classes BEFORE we leave for camp. This will ensure that they are prepared and that they will get the most out of each class.

Prerequisites

Most merit badge classes include one or more prerequisites. These prerequisites are listed for each class in the catalog, when applicable. These are tasks the Scouts should complete BEFORE they arrive at camp. The Scouts are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to complete ALL of the prerequisites, as this will significantly increase the chances of them being able to fully complete each merit badge while at camp.

See the links section for a link to the prerequisites for each class.

Brownsea Island (First-Year Camper) Program

There is a special program called “Brownsea Island” that is specifically oriented toward first-year campers. (Many Summer Camps have a program like this…and each gives it a different name.) Rather than spending time working on merit badges, the Scouts who sign up work through many of the requirements of the Scout, Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, and 1st Class Ranks. While they are not guaranteed to earn their 1st Class Rank by the end of camp, they will be close!

First-year Scouts are not required to take this. They can sign up for merit badge classes instead. Just keep in mind that this program, unlike the merit badges, runs the entire week. So, Scouts will NOT be able to sign up for this AND ALSO do merit badge classes. It’s one or the other.

THAT SAID… The Brownsea Island Program appears to include Swimming and First Aid Merit Badge Classes. So, scouts that enroll in this program should also earn those two merit badges. (Note that the Scouts must be a “Swimmer” according to the BSA swim test.)

Other Award Opportunities

In addition to the merit badges, the Scouts will have an opportunity to earn additional awards.

  • Kayaking BSA
  • BSA Stand Up Paddleboarding Award
  • Mile Swim BSA
  • Whitewater Rafting BSA
  • Hunter’s Education Certification Course (good in your home state)
  • Summit Survival Challenge
  • Leave No Trace Trainer
  • Duty to God Award
  • Summit Sustainability Award
  • NOVA Award: Mendel’s Minions

Buy-Up Options

Some of the extra activities, (and a few of the merit badges) involve an extra fee. As with everything else, these are first-come-first-serve. Scouts should be able to register for these when they register for merit badge classes…if desired.

Please note that The Big Zip (noted as “BZ” below) is now in the “buy-up” group. At the last webinar, a comment was made implying that The Big Zip was included for any Scouts who sign up for the Brown Sea Island first-year camper program. Hopefully, this will be clarified at the next meeting.

Communication

This camp is a bit more spread out than the camps we are used to attending. Because of this, the camp leader’s guide recommends setting up some way to communicate with the group via cell phone during the week.

Scouts are not required to bring a phone. However, we will use the ones we have to help with the coordination between our Scout and adult leader attendees.

We will likely set up a GroupMe group specific to Summer Camp. This will make it easy for us to send messages to the whole group.

We may also (or alternatively) set up a Life 360 group, just to make it easier to find one another if the need should arise.

We will discuss these items further as we approach the departure date.

Additional Resources

The information above summarizes the information that’s been shared with us regarding this Summer Camp event. If you would like more information, you are encouraged to browse through the following documents.

  • Program Planning Guide
    This document applies to all of the programs offered at Summit Bechtel Reserve.
  • James C. Justice National Scout Camp Program Supplement
    This document is specific to the Scout Camp event at Summit Bechtel Reserve. As the name implies, it is a supplement to the document listed above that highlights the items that are specific to the Scout Camp. It includes additional information about the program areas and other attractions such as the “Big Zip”.