Troop 123 will be heading for
beautiful Camp Buffalo Bill on Saturday, July 16, 2005. We will spend the following week at camp and
return to Bismarck, the following Saturday, July 23,
2005. Following is some general
information about Camp Buffalo Bill.
Most of it is taken from their leader guide.
Camp Buffalo Bill is located 43
miles west of Cody, Wyoming on US
Highway
14/20. The camp is just seven miles from
the entrance to Yellowstone. We
have reserved the Raven’s Roost campsight—far the best in camp. It is located near the Shoshone River and not near a more congested part of
camp! As a lullaby at night and to wake
in the morning, the sound of the river passing by is simply a delight.
The
camp youth fee is $195 per scout. Half
is due March 1 and the remaining half is due May 1. There are two high adventure activities
available for scouts at least 14 years of age.
Each activity lasts the entire week and costs an additional $45. The registration fee for two adults is free
and additional adults have a $125 registration fee. According to information from Camp Buffalo Bill, all
camper fees are non-refundable but may be transferred to a replacement
boy. Exceptions to this rule are
possible for extreme cases such as a death in the family or injury to
the Scout just prior to camp.
Wednesday is considered a free
day at Camp Buffalo Bill. Troops do their own
activities and many tour Yellowstone.
Scouts should plan to bring spending money for their free day
activities.
Camp Buffalo Bill has a trading post.
Souvenirs, personal items, snacks, etc. are available.
Physical Exam
& Health Requirements
All
scouts must have a completed Personal Health and Medical Record – Class 1 and
Class 2 (No. 34414) when they arrive at camp.
All Scouts participating in high adventure must have a completed
Personal Health and Medical Form – Class 3 (No. 34412) when they arrive at
camp. Adults less then 39 years old must
have a Class 1 and Class 2 medical form whereas all
adults 40 years old and older must have a Class 3 medical form. You must use a BSA form and have all
applicable fields filled out. It is very
important that the tetanus date be correct.
Please include family health and accident insurance company information
and policy number if available. Forms
are available from Terry Peterson.
Advancement
A
list of available merit badges and the draft schedule is attached. All aquatics activities requires
a swim classification form. We will
likely be completing swim tests on a Tuesday evening prior to camp.
First Year Camper Program called the “Griz” for
Grizzly
There
is a special program for younger Scouts that teaches basic skills, offers
leadership discoveries and incorporates many outdoor advancement requirements
for Tenderfoot, Second, and First Class.
It includes an outpost hike on Thursday or Thursday evening. It is not required for first year campers, however, this is a great introduction to camp,
camping, and Scouting. This program will
take all of the blocks except Block D. A
first year camper should have his Scout Handbook and equipment for the over
night hike (it is a low key hike and he will only need two water bottles, a
sleeping bag, a ground cloth, and something to carry them with). First year campers will do all of the
requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First class except for Tenderfoot
requirements 3, 8, 13, 14; Second Class requirements 1b, 2a, 2b, 2g, 6b, 7b, 8,
9, 10, 11; and First Class requirements 1, 2, 3, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 5, 9b, 9c,
9d, 10, 11, 12. They will earn the basketry merit badge as part of this
program.
Flyfishing Camp
This
will be our third year of this program. Participants in this program will spend
the week learning the basics of flyfishing. This program is for beginners who will learn
to tie flies, learn to cast and earn the flyfishing
merit badge. Boys and adults will leave the camp with their rod, reel and all
the flies they tied
The
instruction and fishing is scheduled during the blocks with the occasional
special fishing excursion during off times.
Just like the high adventure program, this program takes the whole week
and doesn’t leave room for other merit badges.
Flyfishing Campers are in camp all week and will be
with your troop each evening. They don’t
need any special equipment.
High Adventure
The
high adventure program consists of two days of rock climbing, an outpost hike
and a white water rafting trip. High
adventure participants must arrive on Sunday.
The
rock climbing is done at a great climbing area off camp. This is one of the premier climbing areas in Wyoming. Climbers are most comfortable in loose
fitting, athletic clothing and should have rain gear with them.
At
some point during the week, the high adventure campers will take a trip down
the North Fork.
This is the same route the professional rafters from Cody use. Rafters will want to wear shoes, shorts and a
T-shirt or swim wear for this activity.
They will get wet.
The
outpost hike was developed around Leave No Trace.. The participants hike about 7 miles and spend
the night in the Absoroka Wilderness.. Come prepared with
a pack, sleeping gear and a ground cloth.
The
high adventure participants in a week will be divided into two groups. One group will start with climbing on Monday
and Tuesday and finish with the outpost on Thursday and Friday. The other group will start with the outpost
and finish with climbing. Wednesday is
still open for troop activities. The
white water rafting trip will be scheduled with your leadership once you arrive
at camp. Generally it will be the
afternoon of one of your rock climbing days.
This is an exclusive
program. Participants will not have time
to take merit badge classes. While it is
a separate program, the participants stay in camp and will be with your troop
in the evenings except the night of the overnighter.
