Summer Camp, 24 July - 2 August 2026

White Water Rafting - Complete the Required Waiver to Participate

The troop has arranged with Wilderness Voyageurs for a rafting trip down the Lower Yough (Youghiogheny River) outside of Ohiopyle, PA on our way to summer camp. All participants on this trip must sign and submit a waiver using this link: Online Rafting Waiver Link.

Additionally, all participants must pass the BSA swim test prior to leaving for summer camp. Opportunities to take the swim test will be offered at Water Weekend.

Although this waiver is submitted electronically, please print a paper copy of the completed waiver and deliver it to Mr. Krach at any troop meeting starting on June 25, 2026. The troop is currently looking for alternative activities for anyone who will not be rafting.

BSA Medical Form for Scouts and Adult Leaders

NEW MEDICAL FORM FOR 2026

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 and on High Adventure Trips this summers. Scouts going to Philmont or Sea Base will need to create a second Page A listing the Authorized Adults for those trips.

• 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 DOCTOR 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.

Michigan Rotary Summer Camp Merit Badge and Activity Sign Up

It is time for Scouts to select their Merit Badges and Activities for our 2026 Summer Camp at Rotary in Michigan. All Scouts, with the assistance of their parents and Adult Leaders, should make their selections and submit their requests to the Troop prior to March 15th. We will start entering merit badge choices in the camp system on March 15 once the camp enables the system for entry.  Some of the classes have limited space and limited offerings (like welding). These classes will fill up fast as our troop and everyone else going to camp is putting in requests. Your chances for getting the classes you want are GREATLY ENHANCED if you submit them to the Troop prior to March 15th!

SUGGESTED METHOD TO SELECT AND SUBMIT YOUR REQUESTS

• Print the Program Activity Matrix (updated 26 February 2026.) Study the Matrix and decide on the classes you want to take and the best session for your schedule. Merit badge and activity sessions can last 1 hour, 1.5 hours, or 2 hours depending on the program you choose.  It is acceptable to pick activities that create a 30 minute gap between activities if it works for you. Open sessions are available for Seniors but should not include more than 2 hours in your activity schedule.  Morning activities are from 9 AM - Noon and afternoon activities are 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM.  Breakfast is at 8 AM, Lunch at 12:15 PM and Dinner is at 6 PM. 


• Some merit badges have prerequisites that are required to be completed before camp in order to complete the merit badge at camp.  If you do not complete the prerequisites prior to arriving at camp you will receive an incomplete for the Merit Badge.  Merit Badges with prerequisites are identified on the Matrix and on this Merit Badge Request Form as you continue completing the form.  You can view a list of the merit badge prerequisites her Merit Badge Prerequisites.

• If you choose a merit badge with prerequisites you should complete them and take them to camp if appropriate.   If the requirement cannot be reasonably transported to camp you can complete them with a local merit badge counselor or authorized adult leader and fill out the Rotary Prerequisite Completion Form: Prerequisites Verification Slips
  To find a counselor or authorized adult to assist with the prerequisites contact Mr. Clasing at any troop meeting or by email at bclasing@comcast.net.

• Now that you have your desired schedule selected on your printed copy of the matrix it is time to submit your requests to the Troop. You will do this using a Google Form (similar to signing up weekend camping), Michigan Rotary Summer 2026 Activity SignUp. With your Matrix open, it will be easy to proceed through the form selecting the items to complete your schedule. The form will guide you to selecting your next class or activity based on the length of time of the previous activity or class.
  
  
• If you have questions please contact Mr. Clasing at weekly troop meetings or at 443-326-6132.

Additional Summer Camp Resources and Documents

• Camp Map
• Leaders Guide, 5 March 2026 Revision (New Revision)
  

Self-Certification Statement Out-of-State Clearances - MUST be completed by all adults attending any part of summer camp

Summer Camp Payment Schedule

High Adventure Trips - Sign Up for Crews

PHILMONT 2026

• We have two crews going to Philmont from 17 June - 1 July 2026.
• See this information sheet for more details about the trip.

SEA BASE 2026

• We will also have two crMarachews going to Sea Base. One will be gone from and 14-20 July 2026 and the other from 14-20 August 2026 participating in a Reef Sailing Adventure.
• See this information sheet for more details about the trip.