2021 Summer Camp

Merit Badges: We have received a couple of updates from camp about our upcoming visit. Due to the limitation in overall camp enrollment because of Covid, the camp has deemed that they will not run merit badge classes that have less than 4 Scouts attending. This will likely affect some of our Scouts and their merit badge choices. Camp has stated that they will address changes during our check-in process at camp. At this moment, it appears that Isaac, Bryson, Alexander, and Nash are potentially affected. I will discuss options for each Scout at upcoming meetings.

Covid Update: Now that Longs Peak Council has merged with the Greater Wyoming Council (who ran Buffalo Bill), it seems there are some slight changes to their Covid protocols. The only thing that will really affect us is that due to our size, we will be split into 2 or maybe even 3 patrols which appear to be primarily for dining hall purposes. We will discuss the patrols at an upcoming meeting as well. Also, not unexpected, we will have to perform a pre-event screening checklist. The most important part of this is that if you are exposed to Covid within 14 days of camp, you will be asked to stay home. So PLEASE stay safe out there and keep an eye on your activities and who you are exposed to especially after June 27th! We would hate to have to leave anyone behind!

For many details and questions about camp, you can take a look at the Leaders Guide. This includes most camp procedures, merit badge classes and schedules (I’ve broken it out separately below), and forms required for camp (also broken out below). Contact info for the Scouts while at camp is also in the guide.

As with any adventure longer than 72 hours, we need ALL parts of the BSA Medical Form filled out, which included signatures by a medical provider. This applies to both Scouts AND Adults attending camp. Please make plans to get that Section C completed by your or your Scout’s doctor ASAP. They will turn away Scouts AND ADULTS who do not have this filled out! Also, camp has requested that we notify them of any Dietary Restrictions and/or Food Allergies when we make final payment on May 1st. Please get this info to Mr. Bielkiewicz ASAP.

The cost for camp varies depending on your Scout’s age and what they’re doing. All costs will come out of your Scout accounts. And due to the recent transition of Treasurer duties to yours truly, there’s a bit of a delay in getting your current account info out to you. I do have numbers, so reach out if you’re curious, but we will expect you to have enough to cover camp before we depart, so please plan accordingly. Here are the cost breakdowns for camp alone:

First Year Scouts	$275
Other Scouts (non-High Adventure)	$345
High Adventure Scouts	$465
Adults	$185

Please remember that there may be additional costs associated with certain Merit Badges (details found in the Leaders Guide) and we will have additional costs due to all the travel, food to/from camp, anything we opt to do in Yellowstone, spending money for your Scouts while at camp and travelling to/from, as well as the Hot Springs visit. I will try to break down additional costs once our numbers are finalized shortly.

There are 4 distinct merit badge sessions during the week (Session A, B, C, D). So each Scout (excluding first year Scouts, more on that later), can earn at least 4 merit badges during the week. However, some sessions include multiple, related merit badges, so it’s possible to earn even more! We must sign up for merit badges as soon as they open up on May 1st! This way everyone gets as close to their first choices as possible! I will work with each Scout to try to get their desired merit badges at an upcoming meeting. If you can’t attend our meetings, please contact Mr. Bielkiewicz directly ASAP after plotting out your desired schedule.

Merit Badge List
Weekly Camp Schedule

Camp Buffalo Bill offers a program for first year Scouts called Eagle Claw. We are requiring our first year Scouts to attend this as it will get them well on their way to First Class, accomplishing a ton of requirements towards your first 4 ranks. This program takes 2 of the 4 aforementioned merit badge sessions (either A & B or C & D). This leaves space for first year Scouts to also earn at least 2 merit badges in addition to the program. Please keep this in mind when noting your scheduling preferences.

Those of you that joined us at camp 2 summers ago remember fondly our overnight enroute at the Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis. The worlds largest hot springs is located here and we plan to stop once again so the boys can have some fun at the Hot Springs pool. This will allow us to break up the drive but more importantly, arrive for check in during the expected hours (Sunday afternoon). This means we will be departing Saturday (July 10th) morning from Genesis. (Note that as of this writing, we do not have this confirmed, I hope to confirm it Monday, April 19th) This has been confirmed!

We currently believe we will have enough adults attending camp that we can accommodate all the Scouts in existing cars. If this changes, we may need some help “shuttling” Scouts to/from camp. I realize with our overnight in Thermopolis (we plan to drive all the way home at the end of camp), this may be difficult. If you are willing to help, please contact Mr. Bielkiewicz and we can work out the details.

Camp Buffalo Bill offers a unique program to older Scouts (at least 14 years old). For an additional fee, they can participate in a High Adventure program based out of camp. Currently, our 3 older Scouts registered have opted for Kayaking on Yellowstone Lake – which will have them kayaking around 50 miles of Yellowstone Lake shoreline, camping each night along the way. If there are any other older Scouts out there still wanting to attend and join our crew (there are other adventures such as backpacking and rock climbing/rafting combo), let me know and we can try to squeeze in another Scout or two. Adults are able to join these programs as well.

Note that there are special items needed for these adventures, please check the Leaders Guide for details!

I wanted to make a special call out on the tenting situation at Camp Buffalo Bill. Unlike most traditional camps we attend where they provide platform canvas tents for the attendees, that’s not the case here. Scouts/Adults need to provide their own tents. Of course the Troop has plenty of tents that can be used, but if you have a larger, cabin-style tent, this may be the time to break it out! I’ve checked online and it’s very hard to acquire any gear right now due to the high demand and low supply of camping equipment. If you’re in the market, start looking now! We will bring plenty of spare tents as well, in case there are any issues. Normal BSA tenting rules apply when it comes to who can sleep with whom, and we will be recommending Scouts only sleep in pairs (or alone if they qualify) if possible due to Covid.

We have booked a very large site which can be shared by two Troops. At the moment, it looks like we are the only ones in the site, but that could change if they approve an increase to the limit on total number of campers. The site is #11 (Powder River) on this map. Also, if you want to check out the general layout of the camp, feel free to check it out on Google Maps.

Details can be found in the Leaders Guide for those wishing to fish – basically licenses are required for those 14 or older OR those NOT fishing with a licensed adult. Licenses have to be purchased in advance online.

Camp does not administer swim tests. Anyone wanting to spend time in the lake, doing water-style merit badges, or Kayaking with the High Adventure group, will need their swim test administered prior to camp. We plan to administer a swim test at Wellington Lake in May, but are open to holding a swim test at another time for those not able to attend that campout. Please reach out if this is desired!