2023 Summer Camp Trip, 15th to 28th of July 2023

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

• Information you may need for camp forms
  
  • We are going to Camp Jeffrey, Ben Delatour Scout Ranch.
  • Camp: Camp Jeffrey, Ben Delatour Scout Ranch, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado
  • Primary Camp Sites: Deer Trail, Ridgeview, and Spence (requested but not confirmed)
  • Dates: Saturday, 15 July - Saturday, 22 July
  • Scoutmaster: Brad Boutilier
    
    
• Mail
Camp Jeffrey, Ben Delatour Scout Camps
Participant’s Name
Troop #497 Baltimore, MD
2331 County Road 68C
Red Feather Lakes, CO 80545


• Itinerary - ADDED 10 February
  
  
• Printable Itinerary in Calendar format (Subject to change.)


• Overall Route Map with stops annotated  (Subject to change.)
  

• Saturday, 15 July 2023
• Fly to Denver, CO
• 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.

• BDSR First Year Program
• Merit Badge Schedule
• Walking Times Between Program Areas
• Camp Map
  
  
• Packing List - What to Bring to Camp
  
• 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.

• This is a a link to a fillable pdf Annual Health and Medical Record with information specific to Troop 497 pre-filled in. We recommend using the free Acrobat Reader DC to fill in the form or print it and fill in in with a pen. Here is a BSA Information and FAQs Datasheet you can read which provides additional information.


• 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.

• Colorado Summer Camp Additional Required Information. Parent/transportation info. No other forms accepted. Required for all YOUTH.
  
  
• 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

Trip payments to the Troop Treasurer are anticipated according to the following schedule (depending upon final trip costs):

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.

ADULT SPECIFIC INFORMATION

• 2023 Camp Jeffrey at BDSR Leaders Guide (16 March 2023)

ADULT REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND SUMMER CAMP

• 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

• 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