DATE: SEPTEMBER 28, 2012

TO: National Camping School Participant Gerber Scout Camp September 28-30, 2012 & October 5-7, 2012

1733 Owasippe Road Twin Lakes, MI 49547

FROM: John Winter: DIRECTOR NATIONAL CAMPING SCHOOL

Welcome to the 2012 National Camping School at Gerber Scout Camp near Twin Lakes, MI.

Your application has been received and on behalf of the camping school faculty, we eagerly look forward to having you with us at Gerber Scout Camp. The Council Liaison for this camp school will be Russ Kolski. He can be contacted at rkolski@charter.net.

An Annual medical examination and health record, completed within the past 12 months, is required and must be completed prior to your arrival. Please bring the completed form with you. If you do not have this required form, you will need to obtain one at your own expense prior to beginning class. Cost will likely be a MIMIMUN of $100.

Please plan to arrive between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. (local time) on Friday, September 28, 2012 and again on Friday, October 5, 2012. Departure will be before 3:00 PM on Sunday, September 30, 2012 and Sunday, October 7, 2012. All participants who are enrolled in the retraining sections will attend only the second weekend session on October 5-7, 2012.

Complete, correct BSA uniforms are required. The BSA Field Uniform (Scout shorts or long trousers, Scout shirts, Venturing shirts, Scout socks) or the BSA Activity Uniform (Scout shorts or pants with Scouting golf or t-shirts) will be worn at camping school. Complete field uniform is required for evening meals, worship services, campfires, and other formal activities. (See attached Uniform Inspection Sheet.)

Dormitory style housing with bunk beds with mattresses will be provided. Bedding and linens will not be provided, so please plan to bring your sleeping bag or bedding with you. The telephone number at Gerber Scout Camp is 231-894-4928 in case of emergency you may also contact Russ Kolski at 616-460-5210 or the Camp Ranger at 231-894-4990.

In addition to the items listed above, please bring an open mind, a cooperative attitude, a willing smile, a lot of enthusiasm, and we’ll have a great course.

If you are arriving early due to travel arrangements, you may come on Thursday. The early arrival fee is $40, which includes dinner on Thursday and breakfast on Friday. Your council will be billed if you arrive early so be sure to consult with them prior to arriving early.

The host council has made arrangements for ground transportation from the Gerald R. Ford Airport in Grand Rapids, MI. If you plan to travel by air you need to contact Russ Kolski at rkolski@charter.net to make arrangements for a pickup time and payment for the shuttle. This fee is $30 round trip (per weekend).

There will not be a trading post at the weekend sessions. National Supply provides an opportunity to purchase limited edition items on their special Camping School website at: http://www.scoutstuff.org/campschool.

Enclosures: Directions & Map Equipment List of “What to Bring” Uniform Inspection Sheet

Checklist for participants Personal Resource Questionnaire (Bring completed form with you to camp.)

Medical Form (download from: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/whole.pdf)

http://www.bsagrfc.org/images/maptocampgerber.gif[12/9/2011 1:08:55 PM]

Checklist for All Participants

Welcome to National Camping School! You should arrive between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Before we get started, there are a few things to do upon arrival: 1. __________ Dress in BSA Field Uniform.

2. __________ Check in at the registration area.

3. __________ Have an interview with your section leader.

4. __________ Turn in your National Medical Form to your section leader.

5. __________ Get your housing assignment from your section leader.

6. __________ Turn in your resource sheet to your section leader.

7. __________ Pick up you NCS name tag from your section leader.

8. __________ Go to the swimming area for your swim check (aquatics only).

9. __________ Go to the dining hall, ready for lunch and formal opening at

12:00 noon.

If you have any questions, please ask a staff member.

My section meets _________________________________________ for training.

(time and place)

Housing assignment: ______________________________________________________

EQUIPMENT NEEDED BY STUDENTS

ALL PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BRING

__Job description, camp schedules, promotion materials __Two or more complete official Scouter field uniforms

__Current BSA Health Form __Toiletry items (soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.)

__Washcloths & towels __Flashlight & pocketknife

__Camp or Scout t-shirts, Scout caps __Paper, pen/pencil for taking notes

__Sleeping bag, blanket, sheets, pillow/case __Socks, underwear, shoes, outdoor clothing

__Rain gear __Insect repellent and/or mosquito net

__Other clothing as needed for location and temperature

PLUS … SECTION PARTICIPANTS SHOULD ALSO BRING:

AQUATICS DIRECTOR & AQUATICS SUPERVISOR SECTIONS

__CPR Certification __Mask, snorkel and fins

__Lifeguard Certificate (Aquatics Supervisor ONLY) __Bathing suit or swimming trunks (2)

__WSI Certificate (if held) __Cap with visor, sunglasses, extra towels & Sunscreen, sun hat

__First Aid Certificate __Diagram or sketch of your camp waterfront area(s)

__Kneeling pads (for canoeing) __Button-up, long-sleeve shirt, long pants

__Sandals and canvas shoes or tennis shoes

COPE SECTION

__Jeans/Dungarees, sweatshirt, long-sleeve shirt __Tennis shoes and sturdy boots with a distinct heel

__Leather palm gloves, bandanna or neckerchief __Sunscreen

__Strong belt (no large buckles) __Diagram/sketch of your camp COPE course

__Water bottle __Appropriate rain gear (no poncho's)

__Local Council COPE Staff Training plan __Copy of COPE Instructor card

__Local Council COPE Operations plan __Harness/Helmet - optional

CLIMBING/RAPRELLING SECTION

__Long pants, comfortable for climbing (no Jeans/Dungarees) __Tennis shoes (or climbing shoes) and sturdy boots for hiking

__Sweatshirt, long-sleeve shirt __Leather palm gloves, bandanna or neckerchief

__ Hydration system or water bottle(s) __Appropriate rain gear (no poncho's)

__Copy of Climbing Instructor card __Harness/Helmet - optional

__Local Council Climbing Staff Training plan __Sunscreen

__Local Council Climbing Operations plan __Daypack

ECOLQGY/CONSERVATION SECTION

__Binoculars __Small backpack or fanny pack

__Canteen __Field notebook

__Hiking boots (waterproof) __Camp conservation plan

ADMINISTRATION SECTION

__Camp long-range & maintenance plans __Camp budget & menus

__Camp program/Leader's Guide __Camp staff organization chart

__Camp conservation plan __Staff manuals, training schedules

__Staff job descriptions & letter of employment __Brochures, maps, promotion material, etc.

__Laptop strongly recommended

CAMP COMMISSIONER SECTIONS

__Camp program information & features offered __Camp Budgets & Advancement Reports

__Program schedule __Manuals and organization chart

__Job descriptions & letter of employment __Brochures, promotion material, etc.

__Staff training schedule, Leader Guide, song books __Camp promotional video & map of camp

RANGERS SECTION

__Camp conservation plan __Ideas, gadgets, devices, etc. to share

__Camp maintenance plan __Staff Manual

__Camp plan drawings and photos __Camp Budget & Council Long Range Plan

__Camp promotion video __Building maintenance records

__Brochures, promotion material, etc.

OUTDOOR SKILLS & TREK LEADER)

__Pocketknife __Backpacking tent, ground cloth &, pad

__Hand Ax or 3/4 Ax & whetstone (OS) __Hiking boots & comfortable in--camp shoes

__Camera (OS) __Personal First Aid Kit

__Compass (Pathfinder preferred) __Work gloves

__Pack & frame or combo pack (suitable for overnight hike) __Fishing Equipment (OS)

__Plate, cub bowl, eating utensils, water bottle __Folding Chair (OS)

(OS-Outdoor Skills Only)

SHOOTING SPORTS SECTION:

__Eye & ear protection __Long-sleeve cotton shirt

51

Personal Resource Questionnaire Please print.

Name Date of birth

Address City State Zip

Telephone

Council you will be working for Headquarters city

Position in camp

years in Scouting: volunteer youth Professional

I have completed National Camping School in: Section Year

years of camping experience: Camper

Staff member

Religious preference: Catholic Protestant Jewish Mormon Islam Other:

My hobbies are:

Do you have physical or medical limitations?

Do you have special dietary requirements?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation –trained? Yes No

Certificate of training issued by (agency name): Date:

Campfire resources MC Song leader Musical instrument

Adult Scout training: Fast Start Leader-specific training Wood Badge BSA Youth Protection

Other (please list):

Education: High school student High school graduate

College student College graduate Degree:

How can you best support troops this summer in camp?

What responsibilities would you feel least comfortable with this summer?

What do you expect to learn from National Camping School?

CLIMBING & RAPPELLING SECTION NATIONAL CAMPING SCHOOL, BSA

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This course is intended to present safe technical practices for operating a climbing program which can be expected to fall within the BSA National Standards. It is in no way designed to be the complete and sole resource for you to interpret the standards. The methods

demonstrated during this course will in no way be the only acceptable techniques for operating a BSA Climbing program.

Name:

Address:

City:

State:

Zip: Date of Birth: Gender: M F

Home Phone: ( )

Work Phone: ( )

E-mail:

Council: Council No.

Position in Climbing Program Summer Camp Year Round Program Both Neither

First Aid/CPR Training First Aid

WFA

WFR

EMT/Paramedic

Nurse

Doctor

CPR

AED

What will you be teaching climbing on in your Council/Program?

Tower Natural Rock

Bouldering Wall Other

What are your experiences in Climbing/Rappelling?

How would you rate your skill level in Climbing, Rappelling and

Belaying, Anchor systems and climbing knots?

HAVE

TAUGHT HAVE

KNOWLEDGE NEED

HELP Climbing

Rappelling

Belaying

Anchors (tower)

Anchors (rock) Climbing Knots

Tied-seat Harnesses

How would you rate your awareness of the following?

HAVE

TAUGHT HAVE

KNOWLEDGE NEED

HELP

Climb on Safely

Equipment & Maintenance Records

Site Selection

Leave No Trace

Project C.O.P.E.

Training Staff Members

Dealing with Fear

Dealing with Disabilities

Please list your personal objectives for taking this course.

Do you have any specific questions you would like answered in this

course?