Camp New Fork

Boy Scout Leader's Guide -- Trapper Trails Council -- 2001

Formatted for Web & PDA by Michael Gordon

Table of Contents

  1. Welcome
  2. Important Information and Directions to Camp
  3. Daily Schedule of events
  4. Meals
  5. Menu
  6. Advancement, Merit Badges, Difficulty Comparison
  7. Activity Areas
  8. Program Features: High adventure, Order of The Arrow
  9. Camp Awards and Recognition

FORMS

MAPS

LINKS

 


Welcome

As the camp director and in behalf of the rest of the camp staff I want to welcome you to Camp New Fork. We are looking forward to a great year and hope you are also. We have a great program for you and your troop. If you've been here before you may remember some of our traditional activities and program highlights that help make New Fork special, such as the Bear Claw program, Canoe trek across New Fork Lakes, and our Flexible merit badge instruction format. If this is the first time for your unit to come to Camp New Fork, rest assured that the experience will be long remembered. Please feel free to contact me anytime concerning your upcoming stay with us.

See you soon,

Jason B. Eborn
Camp Director


Important Information about Camp New Fork

Camp New Fork is located 25 miles northwest of Pinedale, Wyoming at the western base of the majestic Wind River Mountain Range on the south shore of beautiful New Fork Lake.

Directions:

From Southwestern Wyoming and the Ogden-Salt Lake area:

To get here from Eastern Wyoming:

To get here from the Logan, Utah area:

MAILING ADDRESS: (Mail is picked up twice weekly)

<Troop Number>, <campsite>
Camp New Fork, B.S.A.
Cora, Wy. 82925

Put the troop number and assigned campsite in the place of <Troop Number> and <campsite>.

ARRIVAL TIMES:

For those units desiring to check in to camp on Saturday -- please plan your arrival between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. We will conduct Saturday swim checks for unit members who are in camp before 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Later arrivals will have swim checks scheduled for Monday morning beginning at 7:00 a.m. For those units desiring to check in on Monday, please plan to arrive 11 :00 a.m. The trip can be made easily in 5 hours from the greater Ogden area. Of course, the earlier you arrive, the sooner you'll be ready for the activities of the day. Be prepared to go directly to swim checks soon after your arrival.


DAILY SCHEDULE of EVENTS

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday


Camp Program

It is almost impossible to describe all of the things that you can do at Camp New Fork. Our goal is to provide resources and opportunities for more activities than you can possibly do in one week with us. We provide opportunities for troop, patrol, small group and buddy activities.

The activities we offer are based on the requests and expectations of units in camp over the years, the National Camp School standards and our own specialties. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please let us know. We are always looking for new ideas!

Please be aware that some activities are limited by the number of troops that can participate at any given time. Therefore we provide them on a reserved, first come, first served basis. We encourage early reservations to ensure that you can participate. Enclosed with this guide is an ACTIVITY RESERVATION FORM. Reservations will be taken for these events at check in. Please have the form completed at check in to make registration for these events more efficient.

MILE SWIM: NEW FORK STYLE

The mile swim test is available through arrangement with the waterfront director. The test is done in New Fork Lake. A special patch can be purchased at the trading post by successful swimmers. Please do not attempt this swim without the waterfront directors approval.

FLAG CEREMONIES

Bring your American, troop, and patrol flags. Hold your own ceremonies and fly them each day at your campsite. Join the rest of camp at the parade ground west of the trading post each morning at 8:45 to post the camp colors. Receive information and updates for the day's activities from the commissioners at this assembly. Evening flag retreat is at 5:45, before dinner. Class A uniform is expected at all flag ceremonies.

HIKES

The surrounding forests and mountains provide many opportunities for hiking. Whether you want a short unit hike, an overnighter, or something in the middle our staff members can help you find the right hike for your group. Wilderness permits are required for activity inside the Bridger Wilderness Area. We can supply these for you if we know in advance that you would like this experience. Please contact Scott Scherbel at (307) 276-3940 for assistance with these requests.

HIGH ADVENTURE

Camp New Fork offers a high adventure program for older scouts that is separate from the scout camp. Available activities include river canoeing, rock climbing and rappelling, and backpacking. This is a great way for your older scouts to do something a little more adventurous than the younger boys. SEPARATE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for units or individuals who wish to participate in the week long treks as well as in camp High Adventure. We offer an in-camp high adventure program that takes the scouts out on an activity daily and returns them back to camp in time for dinner.

Sign ups for the individual boys wishing to participate with in-camp high adventure can be made at the beginning of the week when you check in. Please call the camp director Jason Eborn at (307) 362-2451 with any questions about this program.

FISHING

Those with a Wyoming fishing license can challenge the fish of New Fork Lake. The entire lake front, except with in the waterfront activity area is available for your use. Bring your own equipment and fish at any legal time under your own unit supervision using the buddy system. During open hours fishing may be done from boats within the designated waterfront area. Scoutmasters and units with qualified adult supervision may check out rowboats for early morning or evening fishing. Contact the waterfront director for details. Fishing licenses are available from stores in the area but not at camp.


Awards, Recognitions, Competitions

BEAR CLAW: This is an individual recognition that we encourage each camper, youth and adult, to earn. It requires participation in a variety of camp program features and proficiency in scout skills. The recognition is a bear claw necklace. Earn it each year in camp to add claws to the first year. The requirements will be given to you as you check-in.

HONOR PATROL: This a recognition award that we encourage each patrol to strive to earn. It requires participation in a variety of camp programs as well as active patrol leadership, planning and participation. Details provided when you arrive in camp.

HONOR TROOP: Similar in form to the Honor Patrol this is a recognition award that we encourage each troop to strive to earn. It requires participation in a variety of camp programs as well as active troop leadership, planning and participation. Details provided when you arrive in camp.

NEW FORK TRAILS AWARD: Earn the New Fork Trails award by following five of six special trials: Honor, Cat Eye, Night Owl, Nature/ Conservation, Leave No Trace and Hawk Eye. See the description for each trial in this section of the brochure. Your camp commissioner and troop guide can help.

CAT EYE TRAIL: Follow a trail marked by reflector eyes after dark with a flashlight. Get details from your camp commissioner.

NIGHT OWL TRAIL: This trail utilizes flashlights and compasses in a night time compass course. See your Commissioner for help with this trail.

NATURE / CONSERVATION TRAIL: This trail requires learning the names of the plants and animals of Camp New Fork, and how they interact with the ground, air and weather.

HAWK EYE TRAIL: This trail is a day time, cross country orienteering event. Completion of it meets the First Class orienteering requirement. Get details from the Scout craft staff.

HONOR TRAIL: This is one of the Required trails for the NEWFORK TRAILS AWARD used to encourage scouts to follow the scouting ideals. Details provided in camp. This trail will be offered only on specified evenings. Sign ups will be taken at check in.

LEAVE NO TRACE TRAIL: This trail explains the methods and practices of no trace camping.

BROKEN PADDLE/BRIDGER GAMES: The traditional end-of-week troop competition including waterfront and scout craft activities. It begins after lunch on Friday. Details will be provided at camp. Campers compete for the traditional Broken Paddle and John Colter Relay Awards.

SCOUTMASTER MARKSMANSHIP COMPETITION: Scouts and scoutmasters have the opportunity to compete for top shooter awards in rifle, shotgun and archery contests.

SNORKELING, BSA: This is an award that a scout can earn while in camp. Check with the waterfront staff for details.

OTHER: In addition to the above, each activity area may have individual competitions related to the skills of that area.

Order of the Arrow

These are guidelines for participation in Order of the Arrow activities at Camp New Fork. The Order of the Arrow is Scouting's Honor Society and is also known as the Brotherhood of Cheerful Service. Members are elected from their troops or teams by their fellow Scouts.

To be eligible, a Scout must:

  1. Be a First class Scout.
  2. Have 15 days and nights of camping with Scout units in the past 2 years, including 5 nights and 6 days at a long-term camp.
  3. Have the approval of the Scoutmaster or Varsity Coach.

Election Criteria

  1. A unit may have only one election each year.
  2. If a unit has an election before coming to camp, it may not have another election at camp, even if no one was elected at the first election.
  3. Units not from Trapper Trails Council are not permitted to have elections or call outs at Camp New Fork.
  4. The camping requirement must be completed prior to coming to camp.
  5. Units that desire the election will have the election on one night prior to the closing campfire on Friday night.
  6. Contact your camp commissioner for scheduling O.A. elections.


Activity Areas

Much of your time, including advancement and skill development, will be spent in one of the activity areas described below. See "Troop Week Schedule" for open times. Reservations for troop activities during regular program times or after hours may be made with each area director.

We use the "flexible" or "open" program system in our activity areas. This means that, when the activity areas are open, scouts may arrive and leave whenever they choose and participate as they choose within the limits of the area. Each scout makes individual arrangements with merit badge counselors and instructors to be tested on requirements. There are not mandatory "classes" to be attended. We strive to promote individual responsibility rather than create a structured classroom system.

Each area has guided activities that are led and controlled by camp staff and do-it-yourself activities which can be done without or with limited staff involvement. Scouts schedule themselves with area staff for guided activities. They may participate in unguided activities at their own schedule, first-come, first-served basis.

ARCHERY: Learn to shoot or improve your skills at the archery range. Skilled instructors are available to assist you. There is a 150-yard target range with 48" targets and a fourteen (14) position animal round. All equipment is provided.

COPE: C.O.P.E. is the abbreviation for Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience. What it really means is FUN! This is a group activity area available by reservation only. While having fun, participants learn teamwork, problem solving, and develop self-esteem and other character-building attributes. Sign up each patrol for this course. We recommend two to three different periods for each patrol as activities increase in difficulty each time. The more sessions, the better the growth effect.

HANDICRAFT: Work on art, basketry, leatherwork, woodcarving and Indian lore projects and other craft projects. Leather kits, tools, dyes, woodcarving kits, neckerchief slides, paints and basket kits, etc. are available at the trading post for reasonable costs.

SCOUTCRAFT: Build a tower, bridge or raft. Make your own rope. Learn knots and lashings. Learn how to survive in the wilderness, how to use a map and compass as well as other scouting skills. Challenge yourself on our orienteering courses. (We have one for every skill level.)

WATERFRONT: Swim, canoe, boat and snorkel in and on New Fork Lake. Fish for rainbow, mackinaw and brook trout and cokanee salmon. The water may seem a little cold at first but the sunshine and excitement will quickly warm you to the adventures at the lake.

INDIAN LORE: Develop an appreciation for the Americans who lived here before the European emigrations. Play their games, participate in ceremonies and make costumes and equipment such as they may have had. Also try your luck fishing for some of the crafty fish in New Fork Lake.

NATURE: New Fork offers the great outdoors at its best with instructions in conservation and ecology and identification of flora and fauna. Much of the training is done during nature hikes that explore areas outside of camp.

RIFLE AND SHOTGUN: What a blast! Fire away with .22 rifles or 12/20-gauge shotguns under the direction of our well-trained staff. Please do not bring your own guns nor ammunition. The rifle costs $0.25 per 10 shots. The shotgun costs $.25 per shot which includes the clay pigeon.


MEALS

AIl units at Camp New Fork are on a combination Commissary and Dining hall format.

Breakfast and Lunch each day are commissary served and Dinner will be in the Dining Hall after the evening flag ceremony.

Please note; We encourage each unit to have one night (Mon, The, Wed, Thur, or Fri) for a Commissary dinner. Those going on outpost, canoe or otherwise, will have their commissary dinner at their outpost. Units choosing no outpost may schedule one of the nights for commissary dinner. The commissary dinner menu is: Hoagies with buns, chips, pork & beans, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, condiments, fruit and cookies. Each unit wiIl also receive peanut butter, jelly and bread for fill up food. This wiIl be available upon request throughout the week for variety at breakfast, lunch or just snacks.

Sample Menu

Sunday

Dinner: Biscuits and gravy. Vegetables. Salad Bar. Dessert.

Monday

Breakfast (Commissary): Scrambled Eggs. Sausage. Toast. Fruit. Milk.

Lunch (Commissary): Hoagie Sandwiches. Fruit. Cookies. Drink.

Dinner (Dining Hall): Ham. Augratin Potatoes. Vegetable. Salad Bar. Rolls. Milk. Dessert.

Tuesday

Breakfast: Pancakes. Bacon. Juice/Milk.

Lunch: Pigs in a Blanket. Soup. Fruit. Cookies. Drink.

Dinner: Lasagna. Vegetable. Salad Bar. Garlic Bread. Salad Bar. Milk. Dessert.

Wednesday

Breakfast: Tortilla scrambler. Hash Browns. Fruit. Milk.

Lunch: Ham and Cheese. Soup. Chips. Cookies. Drink.

Dinner: Chicken enchiladas. Spanish rice. Tortilla chips. Salad Bar. Dessert.

Thursday

Breakfast: French toast. Sausage. Fruit. Milk/Juice.

Lunch: Tacos. Tortilla chips and salsa. Fruit. Cookie. Drink.

Dinner: Beef Stroganoff. Rolls. Salad bar. Vegetable. Dessert.

Friday

Breakfast: Ham/cheese/egg on English Muffin. Milk/juice.

Lunch: Tuna sandwich. Chips. Vegetable sticks. Fruit. Cookie. Drink.

Dinner: Potato Bar. Rolls. Salad Bar. Milk. Dessert.

Saturday

Pancakes. Scrambled Eggs. Sausage. Milk/Juice.


Advancement

For a successful advancement program, scouts should begin prior to camp to review and prepare for the advancement they want to accomplish. While many rank requirements and merit badges are easily earned during summer camp, others take much longer.

Remind your scouts to bring items or partials for work completed prior to camp.

All merit badge requirements are reviewed by approved merit badge counselors. However, much of the instruction and many activities will be done with staff instructors or by a scout on his own.

Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class Ranks

Upon request, the camp staff in each activity area will instruct and test scouts for skills required for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class Ranks as applicable to a particular activity area, i.e., waterfront for swimming; nature for plants and animals; scout craft for rope work; etc. ..With guidance from his scoutmaster and patrol leaders, a young scout can complete 75% or more of the requirements for these three ranks while in camp. Consult with your camp commissioner .

Merit Badge Counseling

The adult directors of the activity areas are the approved merit badge counselors. Scouts desiring to earn merit badges are encouraged to contact the counselors on Monday to receive directions and instructions. The counselors will be in the activity areas during the open activity times. Frequent contact with counselors and instructors will facilitate the completion of requirements. Scouts should request testing on each requirement as soon as he has completed it. Requirements will be marked and signed off the the counselor/staff as they are successfully completed.

If a scout doesn't complete a particular merit badge, his blue card with counselor initials serves as his partial. The merit badge cards are to be kept by the individual scout rather than the staff. The scout should bring his card with him each time he tests for requirement completion so that the card can be signed immediately.

Merit Badge List ( by activity area)

Extra Costs

The following merit badges have extra costs (beyond camp fees) associated with them. The costs shown are approximate minimums only. The actual costs will vary depending upon choice of items and our costs in obtaining them.

Difficulty Comparison

This is a general guideline to aid your efforts in encouraging your scouts to select merit badges that fit your boys abilities and needs. We strongly recommend that first year scouts do not attempt the CHALLENGING and EXTREMELY DIFFICULT categories. It takes to much time away from the rest of the camp experience for these younger boys to complete these "harder" merit badges.

Remember, these are just guidelines for general comparison. The actual time spent on each merit badge will vary greatly from scout to scout.

Easiest: Great for first year scouts. 3-6 hours. Basketry, Leather work, mammals, *Wilderness Survival, Rifle shooting.

More Difficult: 6-10 hours. Woodcarving, Indian Lore, *Nature, Pioneering, Canoeing, Swimming, First Aid. *Nature requirements 4&5 need to be worked on prior to camp.

Challenging: best for 2nd or 3rd year scouts. 8-12 hours. Scout needs extra strength or skill. Archery, Fishing, Lifesaving, Rowing, shotgun shooting, Art, Pottery, Forestry.

Extremely Difficult: Best for 3rd+ year scouts. 12-20 hours. Orienteering, Whitewater, Climbing, Hiking, Backpacking (the last four are part of High Adventure).

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