How it works:
The Troop will choose THREE Merit Badges that they desire for the entire Troop to do.
Or, we have One Planned Package (The Green Swamp Orienteering Adventure).
These will be done as a group for everyone involved.
If a Scout already has the specific Merit Badge, consider this to be a refresher course, or an opportunity to have them help teach their peers.
THREE (FOUR) Merit Badges will offered as a guarantee; Cooking, Hiking and Signs Signals and Codes.
These three Merit Badges are intrinsic with the weekend. Camping, a fourth, will also be offered if the Troop is camping.
The Merit Badge Camp will run from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon!
Typical Schedule:
Pre-Merit Badge Camp: I will meet with the Scout Master and other adult leaders, as well as, the Patrol Leaders at your Troop Meeting if possible (or we can FaceTime/Zoom). We will go over the planned merit badges, the schedule (which will be tailored to the merit badges chosen), and things the Patrol Leaders will have to plan for. The Patrol Leaders are key to success for this Merit Badge Camp, in this they will also learn more on Event Planning and Leadership.
Friday: Troop will arrive at their desired campsite in the afternoon or evening, we will meet and greet and go over the logistics and plans for the Saturday and Sunday activities. This is where we will start the Cooking Merit Badge.
Saturday: We will start it off early with breakfast and classroom time. The morning will be the backbone to the weekends activities. The rest of the day will be tailored to the Merit Badges desired and end with Dinner.
Sunday: The Big Hike! Whether we are only doing the Hiking Merit Badge, or we are also focusing on Orienteering, or Exploration Merit Badge... this will be that day! We will have our trek as we take breaks for some classroom time and food! Eventually, we will make it back to the Main Campsite by the evening and end the Merit Badge Camp.
Eagle Required Merit Badges Offered:
Choices:
Classroom: Environmental Science and Sustainability
*Hiking Merit Badge: This merit badge will be always will be part of the Merit Badge Camp as it goes hand and hand with all others.
*Cooking Merit Badge: This merit badge will always be offered as part of the camp. All food will taught and prepped by those seeking the Cooking Merit Badge. We will be providing all the food and cooking gear (if desired). If everyone in the group already has the Cooking Merit Badge, we will cater.
*Camping: The Camping Merit Badge will also be offered if the Troop is camping.
**Keep in mind some of these will require "homework" prior to showing up. Such as logging and tracking.
Classroom: Environmental Science and Sustainability
*Hiking Merit Badge: This merit badge will be always will be part of the Merit Badge Camp as it goes hand and hand with all others.
*Cooking Merit Badge: This merit badge will always be offered as part of the camp. All food will taught and prepped by those seeking the Cooking Merit Badge. We will be providing all the food and cooking gear (if desired). If everyone in the group already has the Cooking Merit Badge, we will cater.
*Camping: The Camping Merit Badge will also be offered if the Troop is camping.
**Keep in mind some of these will require "homework" prior to showing up. Such as logging and tracking.
Other Merit Badges Offered:
Choices:
Outdoor: Backpacking, Exploration, Geocaching, Wilderness Survival, and Orienteering
Classroom: Public Speaking, Fish & Wildlife Management, Forestry, and Insect Study
*Signs Signals and Codes Merit Badge: This merit badge will be offered for free for everyone as it is part of nearly every "outdoor" merit badge.
**Keep in mind some of these will require "homework" prior to showing up. Such as logging and tracking.
Outdoor: Backpacking, Exploration, Geocaching, Wilderness Survival, and Orienteering
Classroom: Public Speaking, Fish & Wildlife Management, Forestry, and Insect Study
*Signs Signals and Codes Merit Badge: This merit badge will be offered for free for everyone as it is part of nearly every "outdoor" merit badge.
**Keep in mind some of these will require "homework" prior to showing up. Such as logging and tracking.
CAMPING:
The Green Swamp has three campsites;
Ashley Campground and the Cumpressco Campground.
The Troop is responsible for booking the campsites desired. We will work our base of operations around your campsites.
A free camping reservation is required 24 hours in advance and must be displayed. Visit the Water Matters website to make reservations and see sites closure dates due to hunting.
Ashley Campground and the Cumpressco Campground.
The Troop is responsible for booking the campsites desired. We will work our base of operations around your campsites.
A free camping reservation is required 24 hours in advance and must be displayed. Visit the Water Matters website to make reservations and see sites closure dates due to hunting.
Big Foot Wilderness Camp:
Big Foot Wilderness Camp is NOT owned or maintained by the council – it is available to Scouting units through an agreement with the State of Florida–Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Through an agreement with the State of Florida–Southwest Florida Water Management District, Big Foot Camp is available for Scouting units. It is located in the Green Swamp east of Dade City. It is situated in a 30,000 acre wilderness preserve owned by the State of Florida–Southwest Florida Water Management District. The facility has a 1,200 square foot cabin, with lights and indoor plumbing, two wood stoves for heating, an outdoor shower for Scout use, a troop campfire area, and patrol campsites. There’s a 5-mile loop trail starting and ending at the cabin, which is perfect for completion of a second class 5-mile hike requirement. This loop intersects with a portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail extending approximately 25 miles in a northerly direction and 10 miles in a southerly direction. Big Foot Camp offers a great camping and hiking experience in a rustic wilderness setting.
Big Foot Wilderness Camp is NOT owned or maintained by the council, so please be prepared as the roads and cabin may not be up to the standards of our other properties.
Big Foot Wilderness Camp is only available to one unit at a time and is subject to blackout dates due to hunting season. Reservations for Big Foot can only be taken after the hunting season blackout dates are set, so any reservation made more that 3 months out is not confirmed and is subject to being canceled or moved.
Big Foot Wilderness Camp is NOT owned or maintained by the council – it is available to Scouting units through an agreement with the State of Florida–Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Through an agreement with the State of Florida–Southwest Florida Water Management District, Big Foot Camp is available for Scouting units. It is located in the Green Swamp east of Dade City. It is situated in a 30,000 acre wilderness preserve owned by the State of Florida–Southwest Florida Water Management District. The facility has a 1,200 square foot cabin, with lights and indoor plumbing, two wood stoves for heating, an outdoor shower for Scout use, a troop campfire area, and patrol campsites. There’s a 5-mile loop trail starting and ending at the cabin, which is perfect for completion of a second class 5-mile hike requirement. This loop intersects with a portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail extending approximately 25 miles in a northerly direction and 10 miles in a southerly direction. Big Foot Camp offers a great camping and hiking experience in a rustic wilderness setting.
Big Foot Wilderness Camp is NOT owned or maintained by the council, so please be prepared as the roads and cabin may not be up to the standards of our other properties.
Big Foot Wilderness Camp is only available to one unit at a time and is subject to blackout dates due to hunting season. Reservations for Big Foot can only be taken after the hunting season blackout dates are set, so any reservation made more that 3 months out is not confirmed and is subject to being canceled or moved.
The Green Swamp Orienteering Adventure
This will be doing the Camping, Cooking, Backpacking, Orienteering, Wilderness Survival, Signs Signals and Codes, and the Public Speaking Merit Badges.
We will be starting from the Green Swamp - West Tract and be moving from point-to-point from campsite to campsite with classroom time between hikes.
The Troop is responsible for booking the main campsite desired (Ashley, Cumpressco, Big Foot Wilderness Camp). This will be the base of our operations!
The route will be planned by the Scouts, there are many routes to get one place to another... some are easier than others. I will help guide the Scouts with map orientation.
This Merit Badge Camp will be more involved in:
- Confidence to lead.
-Confidence to make a decision.
-Confidence to describe your plan and speak to your peers.
Think of this as a Platoon moving to Patrol Base to Patrol Base.
The Troop is responsible for booking the main campsite desired (Ashley, Cumpressco, Big Foot Wilderness Camp). This will be the base of our operations!
The route will be planned by the Scouts, there are many routes to get one place to another... some are easier than others. I will help guide the Scouts with map orientation.
This Merit Badge Camp will be more involved in:
- Confidence to lead.
-Confidence to make a decision.
-Confidence to describe your plan and speak to your peers.
Think of this as a Platoon moving to Patrol Base to Patrol Base.
Cost:
Merit Badge Camp:
$100 per Scout
The Green Swamp Orienteering Adventure:
$175 per Scout
Merit Badge Camp:
$100 per Scout
The Green Swamp Orienteering Adventure:
$175 per Scout
We will have custom patches for all the scouts and the adult volunteers!
Be Prepared:
Just like any campout, the gear needed is pretty standard. Tent, First Aid Kit, Sleeping Bag, Headlamp, Flashlight, Extra Batteries for flashlights and headlamps. Extra clothing, extra socks, a hiking backpack, etc.
Cell Phones: Unlike most Scout Camps... Cell Phones will be a crucial part of the learning process. As we will start on paper, some trails just aren't always on paper. We will be making use of important apps (with parental approval) such as the All Trails, CalTopo, and Gaia App's! If the Scout has a cell phone... we will use it!
Required Gear:
- COMPASS: While I do have SOME loaners, it is encouraged you bring your own Compass. There are a lot of different brands and models, so having your own that you are comfortable and familiar with is key. Everyone will be using a compass.
- Whistle: There is nothing out there that sounds like a whistle, if lost, this will be helpful.
- Mess Kit: A durable plate, bowl, cup, and utensil set.
- Water Bottle/Canteen or Hydration Vest/Bladder: Hydration is key!
- Water Filtration: Having clean water is crucial. A filter system is necessary if your Scout is wilderness camping. Make sure the filter system fits your water bottle.
- Snacks! Make sure to always have some calories with you!