Last updated 5 April 2023. Please check back for updates between now and
when we leave for camp.
Information about summer camp will most often appear on the
announcement page for a few weeks and then be removed. However, it will
also appear on this page and remain as long as relevant or until we
return from camp. Treat this page as your reference where you can find
any information about camp that we have published.
ITEMS TO DO NOW!
Get the following items completed now.
They require time to complete.Details about each item
are given further down in this document.
Scouts and Adults should get physicals and complete the Annual
Health and Medical Record - YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER MUST
SIGN ON THIS FORM
Complete the Colorado Certification of Immunization for all
youth participants. - YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER MUST SIGN ON THIS
FORM
ADULTS MUST BE REGISTERED AS BSA ADULT LEADERS. Start your
registration process now.
Learn to swim! All Scouts and Adult leaders must pass the BSA
Swimmers test to white water raft during our touring week.
Keep your summer camp payments current. The troop needs your
money to pay for many of the fees long before we go to camp.
GENERAL INFORMATION
We will be at Camp Jeffrey, Ben Delatour Scout Ranch, Red Feather
Lakes, Colorado from 15th to 22 of July and then touring from the 22nd
until we return on Friday, the 28th July. (Dates may change slightly to
accommodate travel and some adults will be leaving for camp earlier to
make arrangements.)
Scouts and Leaders will fly to Camp departing on Saturday July 15,
2023, and returning Friday July 28, 2023.
Advance crew of adults depart BWI for Denver on the 13th or 14th of
July. Date TBD
The troop will be met by buses that will provide transportation to
Ben Delatour Scout Ranch for the first week of the trip.
After the week at Camp the Troop will enjoy a fun filled week of
touring portions of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. Touring
attractions will likely include Ouray Hot Springs, Mesa Verde, an
Alpine side, Monument Valley, visiting the north rim of the Grand
Canyon, and white-water rafting.
Everyone participating in the full experience returns from Las
Vegas, Nevada on 28th July.
Summer Camp Check In: 13 July 2023 Check back
in July for detailed information
The cost for Summer Camp 2023 is $1,750 per Scout/ $1,500 per Leader
including airfare (subject to change based upon transportation costs and
final activity itinerary). This includes all transportation, camp
fee, airline, touring activities, and meals. Spending money and
souvenirs are the responsibility of the Scout.
It is important that you confirm your trip participation commitment by
making the initial $300 deposit. Deposits need to be received to
register Scouts for their preferred merit badge programs.
Information you may need for camp forms
We are going to Camp Jeffrey, Ben Delatour Scout Ranch.
Arrive Camp Jeffrey, Ben Delatour Scout Reservation
Saturday, 15-22 July 2023
Camp Jeffrey, Ben Delatour Scout Ranch, Ref Feather Lakes,
Colorado
Saturday, 22 July 2023
Winter Park Resort, Winter Park, CO
Camp at Elk Creek Campground, Gunnison, CO
Sunday, 23 July 2023
The Gunnison Pioneer Museum, Gunnison, CO
White Water Rafting Taylor Canyon
Camp at Elk Creek Campground, Gunnison, CO
Monday, 24 July 2023
Ouray Hot Springs
Camp at Morefield Campground, Mesa Verde National Park, CO
Tuesday, 25 July 2023
Explore Mesa Verde National Park
Wednesday, 26 July 2023
Tour Monument Valley
Camp at Jacob Lake Recreation Area, near Fredonia, AZ
Thursday, 27 July 2023
Visit Grand Canyon (North Rim)
Stay near Henderson, NV (TBD)
Friday, 28 July 2023
Fly home from Las Vegas to BWI
Tenting
At camp, everyone will sleep in camp platform tents with two bunks
with mattresses per tent.
You will need a camping pad for our overnight stays while
traveling.
We will be sleeping in troop tents and on the floor of buildings
while traveling.
Adults will be required to sleep two adults per tent in several
locations due to space limitations or campsite rules.
Merit Badges - Updated 5 April
You should have signed up for our
Merit Badges or First Year Program before 1 April
Sign up for your merit badges or First Year Program before 1
April for the best chance to get the merit badges you want. If
you sign up later, it is more likely the merit badges will have
filled up to capacity and you may have to choose different
badges. Sign
up by going to this link and completing the signup form. The
form includes links to a list of merit badges and when they are
offered, perquisites, travel times between various locations (some
merit badges are a 30 minute walk), and a map of the camp. These
documents are also available individually here.
This is a Troop 497 Summer Camp recommended checklist
for clothing and gear to bring with you to summer camp. You should
adjust these recommendations for expected weather and personal
preference.
This is a Camper's Equipment List provided by Camp Jeffrey for
clothing and gear to bring with you to summer camp. You should
adjust these recommendations for expected weather and personal
preference.
Packing Demonstration for Scouts,
Adults, and Parents - 6 July 2023 - tentative date, please check back
We will have a demonstration on how to pack for summer camp during
the troop meeting. This not only for Scouts, it is also for their
parents so they can help their sons pack for camp and for for
adults.
MEDICAL AND INSURANCE FORMS - THESE MUST BE TURNED IN DURING A
TROOP MEETING
An annual physical is required for Scouts and Adult Leaders
participating in events lasting 72 continuous hours and resident
campers. That includes everyone going to summer camp.
Please make TWO COPIES of each of the
following medical forms and turn in as soon as you can, at least two
weeks before we leave for camp. You can turn them into
Andy Reidler or Kevin Shaffer at Troop meeting. For privacy reasons, DO
NOT email your completed forms. Please call Andy Reidler at 410-916-4083
if you have any questions.
Everyone must complete the Annual Health and Medical Record
for these events
Parents complete Parts A, B1, and B2.
The Participant must sign on Part A.
The parents must sign on Parts A and B2.
Your doctor performs the annual physical and completes and
signs Part C. YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
MUST SIGN ON THIS FORM.
Please make sure to complete the section on immunizations.
If you already used the standard medical form without the
Troop 497 specific information then open the form in the previous
bullet and copy the Troop 497 information to your existing Health
Record.
This is a link to the national BSA Annual Health and Medical Record site. You
can read additional FAQs and other related information on the BSA
site. We recommend you download the Troop 497 version of the
Annual Health and Medical Record using the link in the earlier
bullet. Use the material in the section under "Are You Going to
Camp?" if you decide to download the Annual Health and Medical Record
from this BSA web site.
Colorado Certification of
Immunization for all youth participants. Under Colorado
law, Ben Delatour Camps resident camps are considered day care
facilities and are therefore subject to those laws. This law requires
that three additional forms listed on this page be filled out
including the Colorado Certification of Immunization. We can not
accept any other form no matter where you live. YOUR
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER MUST SIGN ON THIS FORM. Most
offices do not require an appointment to fill this document out.
Please check with your individual provider for possible fees.
Participant's insurance card, both sides, two copies.
MEDICATION RECORD AND MEDICATIONS
All medications and instructions for administering them must be turned
in to our Meds leader, upon arrival during check-in. Please place
them in a resealable plastic bag with the scout's name printed in large
letters on the bag. Place a completed 2023 Troop Medication Form in the
plastic bag. The Troop Medication Form is available in or .
Forms
not yet available; please check back.Please
complete this form neatly to provide clear instruction to us. The Meds
Leader will keep track of and administer all medications as directed.
The medicine must be in the original prescription container with the
doctor’s name on the label.
SPECIAL DIETARY RESTRICTIONS - Must inform camp online by 24 June-
Updated 5 April
If you have dietary restrictions for allergies, intolerance, religious,
or other reasons, you will be required to complete an online Camp form
at least 3 weeks prior to the start of summer camp. Identify your needs
to Troop 497 when registering for the trip so your needs can be
accommodated during the touring portion of the trip. Please be sure to share
any dietary needs/allergy information with the camp's dining
services provider via this link.
According to the camp: Special food requests beyond normal meal
plan menus may be provided and may have additional costs. Vegetarian and
gluten free alternatives are normally available. Please limit dietary
requests to medical and religious needs. Requests that are made upon
arrival to camp may not be possible to accommodate.
ADDITIONAL FORMS
THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL FORMS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THIS
YEAR. These include forms for Colorado, Ben Delatour Camp, activities
waivers, and more. They will be listed here, with links, when they are
available.
Equine Release and Hold Harmless Agreement.
These is required by camp for being around the horses and should be
completed by all participants in case they have an opportunity to be
with the horses.
COPE/Climbing Consent Form - required
by both youth and adults to participate in any COPE or
Climbing/Rappelling activities. In addition to merit badges, there may
be opportunities to do these activities in open period. Therefore, it
is suggested that everyone complete and submit this form in case there
is an opportunity to participate.
ATV Program Participation and Hold-Harmless
Agreement - required by both youth and adults to
participate in any All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) activities. Some Scouts
have signed up for an ATV program instead of a Merit Badge. This
second document, ASI ATV RiderCourse Waiver
& Indemnification Agreement, must be signed by the
participant. ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING: LONG SLEEVE
SHIRT, LONG PANTS, BOOTS THAT GO OVER THE ANKLES. The camp with
provide the helmet, goggles, and gloves.
PAYMENT INFORMATION
The cost for Summer Camp 2023 is $1,750 per Scout/ $1,500 per Leader
including airfare (subject to change based upon transportation costs and
final activity itinerary). This includes all transportation, camp
fee, airline, touring activities, and meals. Spending money and
souvenirs are the responsibility of the Scout.
It is important that you confirm your trip participation commitment by
making the initial $300 deposit. Deposits need to be received to
register Scouts for their preferred merit badge programs.
Trip payments to the Troop Treasurer are anticipated according to the
following schedule (depending upon final trip costs):
Date
Payment
Paid Amount
Initial Deposit, January 2023
$300
$300
February 2023
$300
$600
March 2023
$300
$900
April 2023
$300
$1,200
May 2023
$300
$1,500 (Tentative Final Amount for Adult Leaders)
June 2023
$250
$1,750 (Tentative Final Amount for Scouts)
Payments should be made by check made out to "Boy Scout Troop 497" or
through Family Account transfer. Please note the participant's name on
the check. Check payments should be paid to the Troop Treasurer, Kevin
Shaffer, at an in person Troop meeting or mailed to Kevin Shaffer, 119
Ridgefield Road, Lutherville, MD 21093. Family Account transfers can be
made in-person or via email to kevineshaffer@comcast.net.
If transfer is requested via email please include Participant Name,
Activity and Dollar Amount to be transferred for payment.
RANDOM ITEMS
Adults and Seniors can have the advance crew purchase an inexpensive
folding chair in Denver for their use on the trip at a price TBD. The
chairs will be donated before we return home. - Please check back
Everyone should bring a mug suitable for hot or cold drinks in our
campsite.
There will probably a costume day. - Please check back for additional
information.
DVD MOVIES FOR THE BUSES
We are traveling on video equipped buses again this year. At times we
will play PG and lower movies on the bus with younger Scouts and PG-13
and lower on the bus with older Scouts. Select your favorite DVD to be
played on the bus, write you name on it, and give it to the designated
adult (TBD) at a troop meeting or at check in on the 13 July. They pick
a selection of movies for each bus and make sure they are on the buses
when we travel long distances. They will return them to you at a time to
be specified later -
Please check back.
All adults attending summer camp are required to be registered
with the Troop, BSA and the Archdiocese. The registration
process includes completing application forms, completing online
training, being fingerprinted and having a completed criminal
background check. The Troop will reimburse the cost for these items,
it just requires time to complete and submit the necessary forms. If
any adult is not properly registered and all paperwork approved they
will not be able to attend summer camp.
This process takes about 5 to 6 weeks to complete so please
get started immediately. Visit the Registration
page of this web site located under the Information Menu for
detailed information on Registration for New Adult Leaders.
ADDITIONAL ADULT ONLY REQUIRED FORMS
Under Colorado law, Ben Delatour Camps resident camps are considered
day care facilities and are therefore subject to those laws. This law
requires that three additional forms listed on this page be filled out
including the Adult Leader Reference Form.
REQUIRED ADULT BSA TRAINING FOR SUMMER CAMP
Adult leaders (18 years of age or older) must be current in several of
their BSA Training and bring printed certifications of completion to
camp.
BSA Youth Protection Training - all adult leaders must be current
and provide documentation.
All Adult leaders who are rafting should complete Safety Afloat.
Per BSA, Adult leaders supervising activities afloat must have
completed Safety Afloat training within the previous two
years and be in possession of a valid Certification.
Per BSA, Adult leaders supervising a swimming activity must
have completed Safe Swim Defense training within the previous
two years and be in possession of a valid Certification.
Safety Afloat and Safe Swim Defense training may be may be completed
online at my.scouting.org. Each course takes about 30
minutes to complete.
2024 High Adventure Trips
High Adventure Trips 2024 – Payment Schedule
Those Scouts and adults who have expressed interest in Sea Base or
Northern Tier in 2024 must make a deposit and remain current with the
payment schedule to remain on the attendee list.
We anticipate that the demand will exceed the capacity. Note that all
participants who make a deposit must also obtain approval to
participate from the High Adventure Committee, which includes the
Scoutmaster and Mr. Strueber.