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Videos:

Update from Summer Camp:

This year we have selected Ben Delatour Boy Scout Camp north of Fort Collins, Colorado, as our summer camp 2006 destination, Sunday July 16 thru Saturday July 22.

Arrive at Terminal E (not terminal C, as previously stated) two hrs prior to planned departure (not 1.5 hours, as previously stated) ---that is, arrive by 7:10am on Sunday, July 16, for the 9:10am departure.  (So you should plan to leave the Sugar Land area by 6:10am or so; it's about an hour's drive to the airport from here.)  There will be an assistant scoutmaster at the curbside drop off to assist scouts if the parent wants to drop off and then park.

Our flights between Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport and Denver International Airport:

Date Flight Leave Arrive
Sunday 16 July 2006 Continental 799 Houston 9:10am Denver 10:33am
Saturday 22 July 2006 Continental 1098 Denver 4:38pm Houston 8:01pm

Mailing addresses at camp:

(Mail sent from home later than Tuesday will probably not arrive until the unit departs from camp on Saturday!)

High Adventure Crew's Address:

Scout's Name
Troop 828
Elkhorn High Adventure Base
Ben Delatour Scout Ranch
2331 County Road 68C
Red Feather Lakes, CO  80545


Merit Badge Base Camp address:

Scout's Name
Troop 828
Camp Charles Jeffrey
Ben Delatour Scout Ranch
2331 County Road 68C
Red Feather Lakes, CO  80545
 

Food and other smellables in camp:

Mrs. Bourgeois says (July 10):

Remember to check the Leader's Guide (http://www.longspeakbsa.org/camps/BDSR/Jeffrey06.pdf)  for more information concerning the merit badge activity, requirements, etc.  I've been asked about money and items to bring to camp besides the packing list provided by the camp.
 
Notes:
 
Additional Packing Considerations:
Cold weather gear - Expected temperature at night could drop to 50 degrees.  Layered clothing works best (long johns, fleece or sweatshirt, jacket/windbreaker/raincoat, hat, gloves).
Whitewater - Bring closed toe shoes that will get wet and swimsuit for rafting trip.
Heat - Start drinking water now!  Bring baseball or brim hat.
Compression sacks work well for reducing the size of sleeping bags.
2.5 Gallon Zip Lock Bags work well to pack clothing (squeeze air out to make clothing less bulky and make more room in duffel).

Camper's Equipment List (useful when packing for summer camp!)

Mrs. Bourgeois says (June 29):

Mr. Collins still requires a large number of Longs Peak Council BSA Medical Records Class 1 and 3 (click here:Medical form (pdf)) from both scouts and adults. Please get them directly into Mr. Collins' hands or Mrs. Bourgeois will collect them at July 10th troop meeting since he will be unavailable.

Mr. Niel Morgan says (June 27):

The links below contain pictures from Troop 373’s (Denver , Colorado) Summer 2003 adventure, Troop 25’s (Lincoln, Nebraska) Summer 2004 adventure and Troop 479’s (Houston, Texas) Summer 2004 adventure at Ben Delatour Scout Ranch. The pictures provide a great view of the terrain, pictures of the sleeping arrangements (platforms, tents and cots) as well as the activities that will be available to us:

BSA Troop 373 - Summer Camp 2003 Troop 373 (Denver, Colorado)
BSA Troop 25 - Summer Camp 2004 Troop 25 (Lincoln, Nebraska)
BSA Troop 479 - Summer Camp 2004 Troop 479 (Houston, Texas)

Arrive at Terminal E (not terminal C, as previously stated) two hrs prior to planned departure (not 1.5 hours, as previously stated) ---that is, arrive by 7:10am on Sunday, July 16, for the 9:10am departure.  There will be an assistant scoutmaster at the curbside drop off to assist scouts if the parent wants to drop off and then park.
 
Ensure scouts pack ...
CLOSED TOE SHOES & socks!!!!
Suntan lotion (we are above the tree line)

Make sure that scout can CARRY EVERYTHING over rugged terrain.

 

Drink plenty of water the week before camp! (Concern about altitude sickness)
 

Information from Mrs. Bourgeois about cots  for summer camp (May 18).

Baggage for Summer Camp: read about the packing limitations (Word document) when flying Continental Airlines for summer camp.  (Note: the financial penalties quoted for excess baggage apply for each one-way trip, so double the numbers given.)

The travel cost has been set at $302.10.  (This includes airfare of $231.10, ground transportation in Colorado of $51, and food cost of $20.)  Please write a check to "BSA Troop 828" and give it to Mrs. Spera at the next Troop meeting.

Reminder: Everyone going to summer camp must get a physical exam and have this Medical form (pdf) signed by a physician.  Turn it in to Mr. Collins by the end of May. This is the only medical form acceptable to the camp.  Do not use the standard BSA medical form---use this one.

April 24 deadline: Merit Badge Selection Form (pdf) should be filled out and returned to Mr. Rankin.

Every Saturday morning, 7:00am: conditioning hike starting at the Commonwealth Elementary School parking lot, for scouts planning to go on a high-adventure trek at summer camp.

Posted March 8: Newly-updated merit badge list for summer camp:  Merit Badge Summary List (pdf) (updated 3/8/06).  This includes one new merit badge offering:

Posted March 8:  Very important Health & Safety Information for Summer Camp.  Read this and protect yourself from mosquitoes, bears, mountain lions, lightning, dehydration, and other dangers!

At the parents' summer camp meeting on February 13, it was agreed that the troop will travel to summer camp by airplane, flying from Houston Intercontinental to Denver.  Transportation from Denver to the camp is still under investigation.  Estimated total transportation cost per person: $300 (this estimate is subject to change).

A deposit of $40 per person for transportation is required by February 20.