UNDER CONSTRUCTION FOR 2027
11 - 17 Jul 2027 (tentative)
Camp Conestoga
Outing Coordinator POC: Dave Berchtold, bsaberchtold@gmail.com
Medical Officer POC: April Lehman, aprilnlehman@gmail.com
Should I Go To Summer Camp?
Click HERE
Photos 2026
Where
CAMP CONESTOGA (255 Conestoga Camp Road, Somerset, PA 15501) in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, about a 4-hour drive from Dublin. We will be at the Seneca lakeside campsite - best site at the campsite. We have been going to summer camp at Camp Conestoga since1996.
Driving Instructions - CLICK HERE
Requirements for scouts to attend
Requirements for adults to attend as volunteers
Requirements for adults to attend as visitors
Milestones (tentative)
01 Oct . . . . . . . . . Submit Outing Milestones to Committee for approval (DB)
31 Oct . . . . . . . . . Committee approval of milestones (SS)
01 Nov . . . . . . . . . Request budget needs from SM and PLC to build into budget (DB)
01 Jan . . . . . . . . . . Submit budget and outing safety plan to Committee for approval (DB)
22 Jan . . . . . . . . . . First briefing between Conestoga and Outing Coordinators (DB)
31 Jan . . . . . . . . . . Budget approved (SS), Complete Form for Sign Up and Merit Badge Selections (DB)
01 Feb 2027. . . . . Advertise summer camp (flyer/email/troop meetings) (DB, PLC, SM)
Start parent sign up for scouts, payment, and merit badge selections (Families)
01 Mar 2027 . . . . Parent sign up scouts due (Families)
$50 deposit due (Families)
Merit badge selections due (Families)
05 Mar 2027 . . . . Roster and Payment Due to Conestoga (DB & JG) for Early Bird
21 Mar 2027 . . . . Send Families Payment Amount Due (DB)
Swim Test (SM)
11 Apr 2027 . . . . Troop-wide Medical Document Meeting to Submit/Update
13 Apr 2027 . . . . Make Up Date for Medical Document Meeting
13 Apr 2027 . . . . Indoctrination Meeting New Families @ Troop Meeting
19 Apr 2027 . . . . Make Up Swim Test (SM) - after this date, tests taken at summer camp
23 - 25 Apr 2027 Back to Basics Camp Outing; AOLs earn Totn & Firmn Chit/ps (SPL)
25 Apr 2027 . . . . Send Swim Test Qual Sheets to Outing Coord (SM)
01 May 2027 . . . Final payment and roster due to Camp Conestoga; send swim test results
21 May 2027 . . . . Place T-shirt Order (DB)
Issue First Draft Driver Plan (DB)
25 Jun 2027 . . . . Dietary Restrictions Due to Conestoga (Families)
03 Jul 2027 . . . . . Mock Check-In (DB, AL)
06 Jul 2027 . . . . . Medical Tracker Completed (AL)
Q&A for parents with Outing Coordinator
Raven Patrol Stage gear (DB)
09 Jul 2027 . . . . . Shakedown (SPL)
Medication Turn In (AL)
10 Jul 2027 . . . . . Fishing license on hand for those that need it (Families)
11 Jul 2027 . . . . . Muster 7 am St Patricks Parking Lot for Departure (Families)
03 Mar . . . . . . . . . Preferred due date to submit dietary restrictions
21 Apr . . . . . . . . . Complete sign up form to register scouts; sooner the better
21 Apr . . . . . . . . . Final payment due; sooner the better
21 Apr . . . . . . . . . Medical Part A&B due (Still collecting late submits)
21 Apr . . . . . . . . . Medical Insurance Cards due (Still collecting late submits)
21 Apr . . . . . . . . . If paying final payment by check and haven't paid yet, bring check to the Troop meeting
21 Apr . . . . . . . . . Permission slip for Cowboy Shooting Contest due
21 Apr . . . . . . . . . Permission slip for ziplining due
05 May . . . . . . . . Get blue cards from Scoutmaster for merit badges
05 May . . . . . . . . Get green cards from Scoutmaster for rank sign offs
06 May . . . . . . . . Scoutmaster send interest form for next cycle positions
09 May . . . . . . . . Ravens Patrol #1 Email
13 May . . . . . . . . .Family #2 Email
15 May . . . . . . . . .Family #3 Email
19 May . . . . . . . . PLC Selection of Tshirt vendor, shirt selection, and design due
01 Jun . . . . . . . . . Risk Assessment and Safety Action Plan Submitted for Approval
02 Jun . . . . . . . . . . Planning Meeting New SPL, SM, and Outing Coordinator
13 Jun . . . . . . . . . . Family #4 Email
14 Jun . . . . . . . . . Ravens #2 Email
14 Jun . . . . . . . . . Family #5 Email
15 Jun . . . . . . . . . Scout Medical Part C due and Adult Volunteer Med Parts A, B, C due (Still collecting late submits)
15 Jun . . . . . . . . Send Pre-Departure Briefs to SPL for SM for coordination
16 Jun . . . . . . . . Family #6 Email
20 Jun. . . . . . . . . Send Pre-Departure Briefs
19 Jun . . . . . .. . . . DRAFT Driving Plan Sent for Review and Comments
21 Jun . . . . . . . . . Dietary Restrictions form due to Camp Conestoga (families submit digitally)
23 Jun. . . . . . . . . Mock check-in; review all med docs (Outing Coordination Team Only) - Will be delayed
27 Jun . . . . . . . . Review Comments Due for Driving Plan
30 Jun . . . . . . . . Send Driving Plan to the Troop for Comment
30 Jun . . . . . . . . T-shirts arrived
30 Jun 7 pm . . . Prep meeting for scouts and first year parents (led by scouts, Jack and Collin)
01 Jul . . . . . . . . Sort and package
03 Jul . . . . . . . . . FINAL DEADLINE MEDICAL DOCUMENTS; mock check-in
04 Jul . . . . . .. . . . Driver Plan Modified
10 Jul . . . . . . . . . . Driver Plan Modified
Departure Procedures 11 Jul 2027
7:00 a.m. Arrive St. Patricks parking lot
7:15 a.m. SPL meet with scouts for attendance, Class A
Drivers meet with Dave Berchtold, Class A
7:20 a.m. Load vehicles / trailer
7:40 a.m. Scout group photo
7:45 a.m. Released to depart; lunch enroute
1:00 p.m. Rendezvous Grove Parking Lot
1:00 p.m. Release to Camp Seneca when directed; gear drop
1:45 p.m. Muster troop to walk to health lodge
1:55 p.m. Align troop in alphabetical order
2:00 p.m. Health Lodge Check-In
Outing Coordinator & Scoutmaster to front office to check-in
Gear Checklist
Watch video: https://youtu.be/SuQ56WjNaAA
Special mentions below . . .
* Blue cards to include Fingerprinting (Monday night)
* Green card for First Class Scouts under training for sign offs
* Pennsylvania fishing license if 16 years or older and want to fish
* Firemn chit, totin chip TENTATIVE; we may work from a list so don't need to bring these to camp
* Footlocker 14.5" in height or less - to transport individual Scout gear, we recommend the use of a footlocker / trunk that can fit under the bed frame scouts will sleep upon. Here's an EXAMPLE.
* Cardboard, carpet remnant, foam pad to place between bed frame springs and sleeping bag
* Mess Kit - a change from the previous year, lunch will be served at our Seneca camp site instead of the dining hall.
* Parachord/shoestring/rope to tie tent flaps closed
* Rain gear
* Swim suit - for pool party plus other acquatics
Cell Phone Policy
Phones are not allowed in camp outside the tents, unless it is being used for pictures, emergency use, OR making calls from the dam with a buddy and at a time approved by the SPL.
Uniform
Class A for:
* Transport to Conestoga
* Transport to Dublin from Conestoga (subject to change by SPL at departure time)
* Evening colors
* Vespers (church service)
* OA tap out
* Opening campfire Sunday evening
Scout shirt buttoned and tucked in with normal collar (no collars up).
Green khaki or jean pants.
Neckerchief, headgear, merit badge sash should be left at home.
Our troop camp T-shirt will be distributed at Conestoga.
Closed toe shoes.
Bring hanger for Class A shirt.
Suggested Reading BEFORE Summer Camp
b. Health and Safety Guidelines
TIMELINE
03 Mar 2026 . . . . Complete sign up form to register scouts; sooner the better
03 Mar . . . . . . . . . $50 deposit due; sooner the better
03 Mar . . . . . . . . . If paying deposit by check and haven't yet paid, bring check to the Troop meeting
03 Mar . . . . . . . . . Merit badge selections due; sooner the better
03 Mar . . . . . . . . . Preferred due date to submit dietary restrictions
06 Mar . . . . . . . . . Roster and deposits due to Camp Conestoga
Mid Mar . . . . . . . Final payment amounts sent to families
10 Apr . . . . . . . . Swim test
14 Apr . . . . . . . . . New Family Indoc Meeting
21 Apr . . . . . . . . . Complete sign up form to register scouts; sooner the better
21 Apr . . . . . . . . . Final payment due; sooner the better
21 Apr . . . . . . . . . Medical Part A&B due (Still collecting late submits)
21 Apr . . . . . . . . . Medical Insurance Cards due (Still collecting late submits)
21 Apr . . . . . . . . . If paying final payment by check and haven't paid yet, bring check to the Troop meeting
21 Apr . . . . . . . . . Permission slip for Cowboy Shooting Contest due
21 Apr . . . . . . . . . Permission slip for ziplining due
01 May . . . . . . . . . Final payment and roster due to Camp Conestoga; send swim test results
05 May . . . . . . . . Get blue cards from Scoutmaster for merit badges
05 May . . . . . . . . Get green cards from Scoutmaster for rank sign offs
06 May . . . . . . . . Scoutmaster send interest form for next cycle positions
09 May . . . . . . . . Ravens Patrol #1 Email
13 May . . . . . . . . .Family #2 Email
15 May . . . . . . . . .Family #3 Email
19 May . . . . . . . . PLC Selection of Tshirt vendor, shirt selection, and design due
01 Jun . . . . . . . . . Risk Assessment and Safety Action Plan Submitted for Approval
02 Jun . . . . . . . . . . Planning Meeting New SPL, SM, and Outing Coordinator
13 Jun . . . . . . . . . . Family #4 Email
14 Jun . . . . . . . . . Ravens #2 Email
14 Jun . . . . . . . . . Family #5 Email
15 Jun . . . . . . . . . Scout Medical Part C due and Adult Volunteer Med Parts A, B, C due (Still collecting late submits)
15 Jun . . . . . . . . Send Pre-Departure Briefs to SPL for SM for coordination
16 Jun . . . . . . . . Family #6 Email
20 Jun. . . . . . . . . Send Pre-Departure Briefs
19 Jun . . . . . .. . . . DRAFT Driving Plan Sent for Review and Comments
21 Jun . . . . . . . . . Dietary Restrictions form due to Camp Conestoga (families submit digitally)
23 Jun. . . . . . . . . Mock check-in; review all med docs (Outing Coordination Team Only) - Will be delayed
27 Jun . . . . . . . . Review Comments Due for Driving Plan
30 Jun . . . . . . . . Send Driving Plan to the Troop for Comment
30 Jun . . . . . . . . T-shirts arrived
30 Jun 7 pm . . . Prep meeting for scouts and first year parents (led by scouts, Jack and Collin)
01 Jul . . . . . . . . . Safety Plan Approval Due (next year, move this forward)
01 Jul . . . . . . . . Sort and package
03 Jul . . . . . . . . . FINAL DEADLINE MEDICAL DOCUMENTS; mock check-in
04 Jul . . . . . .. . . . Driver Plan Modified
06 Jul . . . . . . . . . Driver Plan Modified
07 Jul 7 pm . . . . Shakedown Meeting; Q&A for parents with Outing Coordinator; Raven Patrol State gear
07 Jul . . . . . . . . . April L. complete medical spreadsheet/tracker for Outing Coordination Team
12 Jul 7 am. . . . . Muster St Patricks Parking Lot for Departure
ADMINISTRATIVE AND INFORMATIONAL
Where
CAMP CONESTOGA (255 Conestoga Camp Road, Somerset, PA 15501) in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, about a 4-hour drive from Dublin. We will be at the Seneca lakeside campsite - best site at the campsite. We have been going to this site since 1996.
References
c. Adult Training Opportunities
e. Camp Map
f. Schedule First and Last Day
Points of Contact
Camp Conestoga Office: 814-445-2018
T299 Summer Camp Outing Coordination Team Lead:
Dave Berchtold, 614-504-7341, bsa.berchtold@gmail.com. Cell phone 614-749-3777 when at summer camp
T299 Attending Adults:
Phone list to be provided to parents of attending scouts and troop adult leadership before
departing for summer camp
Mail/Care Packages For Scouts
Camp Conestoga
Attn: Scout Name -T299 Seneca Campsite
255 Conestoga Camp Road
Somerset, PA 15501
Conestoga recommends sending mail one week in advance of camp. We recommend putting the date of the camp in the lower front part of the envelope marked, "For week 12 - 18 Jul 2026"
Weather
Expect average high of 80F and average low during night of 58F. Day time high temperature rarely is outside the range of 70F - 87F. The hottest day of the year is 20 Jul and hottest part of the days are 2 pm - 7 pm. Record high is 98F and record low is 36F. Nightly low is rarely outside the range of 51F - 68F. Expect rain about once in every three days; average daily chance of precipitation is about 37%. Chance of cloud coverage that is overcast to mostly cloudy is 40% and clear to partly cloudy 60% of the time. Sunrise will be approximately 6 a.m. and sunset will be approximately 8:45 p.m. Moonlight at night will be darkest upon arrival and brightest upon departure. You'll likely be able to see Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars in the Pennsylvania sky, with the possibility of glimpsing Uranus and Neptune with binoculars or a telescope.
Other Costs
Spending Money for the Scout Store - Families decide what is appropriate for the scout. Having some spending money for refreshments or emergency supplies goes a long way to keeping a scout happy and comfortable.
Food To and From Camp - Expect drivers to stop enroute so scouts may eat to camp. Expect scouts to eat breakfast in camp on day of return to Dublin. Stopping to eat on the way home may or may not happen depending upon the drivers. We encourage picking up food if scouts desire it.
Merit Badges - Some merit badges have costs associated with them.
Gas - Riders should pay drivers $10 for contribution of gas costs to summer camp and then again another $10 for the same to return to Dublin. Payment should occur before getting in the rider's vehicle.
Tents
The camp provides high wall canvas tents with wood platform floors. Scouts sleep two to a tent with a scout from the troop that is within two years of age (a scout that is 11 and 13 qualifies as two years). Scouts and parents do not use the same tent. Adults sleep one to a tent, if camp tents are sufficient in number. Adults may bring their own tent. Scouts and adults are liable for damages to the tents during our visit; damage to tents will be billed by the inch. We recommend you take photos on Sunday of your assigned tent on all sides, inside and outside, with flaps unfolded to protect your interests. If change tents at anytime during your visit, recommend do the same AND upon pack out on Saturday.
Rank Advancement
Scoutmaster conferences with Mr. Scott Moncrief are available at summer camp; see the Scoutmaster while at camp to schedule. Boards of Review will be held at summer camp for scouts earning the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, and/or Second Class. Scouts can get only one board of review while at summer camp. Mr. Scott Staron is the scouts' point of contact for scheduling Boards of Review at summer camp.
Merit Badge Blue Cards
Scouts are responsible for bringing their own blue cards to summer camp for the merit badges they selected. Get blue cards from the Scoutmaster, fill them out correctly and legibly (CLICK HERE), gain the Scoutmaster signature or his designee/s, bring them to summer camp, and provide them to the merit badge instructors/counselors on Monday. If participating in the evening Merit Badges, bring blue cards for those too. Our District is "Polaris". Our Council is "Simon Kenton". Our unit leader is "Scott Moncrief".
Fishing and licensing
Fishing from the stream and lake at Camp Conestoga is only by catch and release. Even under catch and release, a fishing license is required for anyone 16 years or older. If you have one, bring it. Licenses and permits can be attained on-line from Hunt & Fish. CLICK HERE. They are a contractor with the state of Pennsylvania that issues licenses. They have 24/7 phone support at 800-838-4431. The lake at Camp Conestoga has trout. A trout permit/stamp is not required under catch and release. Camp Conestoga stream and lake have trout, catfish, sunfish, blue gill, and chappies but hasn't had much stocking of fish recently. The nearby Laurel Hill Lake contains bass, trout, catfish, sucker, bluegill, perch, sunfish, and chappies. Some licensing and permitting options include:
* 7 day non-resident tourist license = $39.47 (allows 16+ years of age to fish at Camp Conestoga via catch and release)
* 1 day non-resident tourist license and trout permit = $31.97 (allows catch and keep trout at nearby Laurel Hills Lake but must release at Camp Conestoga)
* 1 year non-resident tourist license = $60.97
* 1 year non-resident trout permit = $14.97 (allows catching and keeping at most locations but not at Camp Conestoga)
** There are also multi-year options
Fishing and fly fishing merit badges require catching a fish. If taking any of these merit badges and will be under 16 years of age, bring your pole and tackle supplies; you will be able to fish. The camp can provide poles if you don't have one. If 16 years or older and do not have a fishing license, you won't be able to catch a fish at summer camp but still bring your pole and tackle supplies
for other elements of the merit badges.
Camp Rules Special Mention
* After dinner and colors on the first night, all scouts remain on the parade field for camp tour
* Staff areas are off limits
* Don't cut through other troop camp sites
* Anyone can use the area 5 feet off the shoreline of the lake
* Firewood must be from local area
* Ammunition, rifles, and archery gear may not be brought into camp by Scouts or leaders.
* Camp-wide quiet time starts 11 pm. Scoutmasters are responsible to maintain troop area quiet times from 10 pm - 6 am.
* Senior Patrol Leader Meeting/Training every day after lunch in the center room of Rohrbacher’s. If the SPL cannot make it, another member of the Troop Leadership Corp must attend. Sunday’s SPL meeting (about 7:10 pm) will take place immediately following Camp Wide Colors in the center room of Rohrbacher’s alongside the Leader’s Meeting.
* Adults and scouts must check out at main office in Rohrbacher Lodge before leaving camp.
* Seatbelts required; no riding in open bays of trucks.
* Only areas for sandals, open toed shoes, or boat shoes is in the fenced pool area and inside shower houses.
* No alcohol or controlled substances, e-cigs, or vaping on camp properties.
* Class A is encouraged as much as possible but especially for evening wide retreat, camp-wide vespers, Wed parents night, and Friday campfire. Upon arrival to summer camp, Class A is not required on Sunday.
Some of the Available Opportunities
* Camp Adventure Award - for elite units who have gone the extra mile to participate in the overall program.
* Family Night - please notify Dave Berchtold, bsa.berchtold@gmail.com, if plan to attend
* Paddle Craft Safety, Swimming, & Water Rescue training at times to be announced. Must be 16 years or older.
* Swampathon - Tuesday evening. Sign up at Acquatics.
* Triatholon competition (single or 3 man teams) - Monday evening. Must be Swimmer qualified. 100 yards of swimming, nearly 1 mile of running, and 100 yards of rowing.
* Open shoots daily: Rifle 3rd summit, Shotgun 6th summit, Archery 3rd and 6th summits.
* Angler Award - When complete Fishing, Fly Fishing, and Fish and Wildlife management Merit Badges.
* Chaplain Aid Training - time TBD.
* Eat Like Kings - Thursday night adults cook for the scouts at our campsite.
* Adult leader training, Introduction to Outdoor Skills - M thru W after lunch for 3 hrs/day
* Adult leader training, Position Specific Training - Th following breakfast for 1-4 hours depending upon position
* Adult leader training, CPR and AED Training - Th after lunch. $35 fee.
* Leader's zip line - M. Requires liability waiver release. See Leader's Guide
* T-shirt tie dye - Tues evening. $10.
* Dutch Oven cookoff - Thur evening.
Activities dropped from last year:
* Polar Bear Arch patch - swimming pool 6:30 - 7:00 am. Must attend 4 of 5 days.
* Mile Swim Participation card - Mile Swim is Friday morning.
Photos: 2024
Photos: 2025
2026 summary
40 scouts (57% of the registered scouts) and 10 adults attended summer camp at Camp Conestoga in 2026. The scouts earned 171 merit badges (average 4.3 merit badges per scout) and 7 partial merit badges (average of 4.5 merit badges per scout) across 44 different merit badges. 17 of 40 (43%) attending scouts advanced a rank. 15 Pathfinder scouts earned 55 merit badges and 75% of them advanced to Scout rank. J.W. won the camp's Smash Bros competition. One of our scouts submitted application to join the staff next year; one other scouts has completed an application for possible submission.
2025 summary
32 scouts (55% of the registered scouts) and 9 adults attended summer camp at Camp Conestoga in 2025. The scouts earned Honor Unit. The scouts earned 151 merit badges (average 4.7 merit badges per scout) and 12 partial merit badges across 49 different merit badges. The scouts worked 30 hours of conservation project work around our campsite and a nearby site. Star scouts earned three hours of conservation project for Life Rank. Those needing similar hours for camping merit badge and other rank earned their hours. First year scouts learned and completed 39 rank requirements for Scout through First Class ranks. All of them earned Scout rank. We had numerous scouts ready to Board or ranked up to other. A.B. won the camp's Smash Bros competition.
READINESS METRICS
SPL Selected =
Sufficient Adult Volunteers =
Merit Badge Selections Complete =
Percent Scouts Made Final Payment =
Percent Scouts Med Part A Submitted =
Percent Scouts Med Part B Submitted =
Percent Scouts Insurance Cards Submitted =
Percent Scouts Med Part C Submitted =
Outing Risk Assessment Action Plan Completed =
T-shirts Ordered =
GENERAL METRICS as of 10 Jul 2026
Camp Conestoga Merit Badges Summits Filled (7): Orienteering and Geocaching Summit 6; Movie Making and Photography Summit 5; Wilderness Survival Summit 1; Camping Summit 3; Environmental Science 5-6; Auto Maintenance 6; Wood Carving
# Participating scouts 2026 = 40
# Participating scouts 2025 = 32
# Scouts in troop effective 10 Jul 2026 = 70
# Scouts in troop effective Jul 2025 = 58
Participation Rate 2026 = 57%
Participation Rate 2025 = 55%
# Pathfinders 2026 =15
# Pathfinders 2025 = 8
% T299 scouts of all scouts at Conestoga 2026 = 24% (40/168)
# Scouts w/ epi 2026 = 1
# Scouts w/ respiratory spray 2026 = 2
# Zipline permission slips 2026= 16, 40%
# Shooting competition permission slips 2026 = 9, 23%
# Early Scout Departures 2026 = 5
# Late Scout Arrivals 2026 = 2
# Scouts with dietary restrictions 2026 = 5, 13%
# Scouts regularly scheduled meds 2026 = 8, 20%
# Scouts as needed meds 2026 = 5, 13%
# Adult visitors to camp from the troop 2026 = 9 at sign up; 2 actual
# Tents 2026 = 29 (capacity 30 + 1 private)
# Tents Used 2025 = 25
Conestoga Fees This 2026 = $220/adult; $420 early; $440 regular; $35 sibling discount
Conestoga Fees 2025 = same as this year
Troop Fee 2026 = $35
Troop Fee 2025 = $35
Pathfinders 2026 =
Scout Rank - 1a, 1b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b
Tenderfoot - 1c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4c, 5a, 5b, 8
Second Class - b, 2f, 2g, 3a, 6a, 6b, 6d, 6e
First Class - 1b, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 5b, 5c, 5d, 7a, 7c, 7d, 7f
Pathfinders 2025 =
Scout Rank - 1e, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b;
Tenderfoot - 1c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4c, 5a, 5b, 5c, 8;
Second Class - 1b, 2g, 3a, 3c, 3d, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e;
First Class - 1b, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7f
# MBs signed up for in 2026 = 148
# MBs earned in 2026: 171 + 7 Partials
% Who got first choice MBs 2026: 93% (camp allowed 2 of 3 to take MB of choice on arrival, 98%)
% Who got first choice MBs 2025: 100%
# Scholarships awarded 2026: 1
# Scholarships awarded 2025: 0
ARCHIVED
Actions are in red below
Links are in orange
New and undecided scouts, see section below titled "Should I go or should I not"
ACTIONS
PARENT REGISTER YOUR SCOUT [Click here] - by 21 Apr 2026. If any scout is unable to register by 21 Apr 2026, contact Dave Berchtold at 614-504-7341 or bsa.berchtold@gmail.com so he can determine with Camp Conestoga if late registration will be accepted.
ADULT VOLUNTEER REGISTER YOURSELF [Click here] - by soonest to facilitate T-shirt orders; otherwise by 21 Apr 2026. If unable to register by 21 Apr 2026, contact Dave Berchtold. Requirements to attend include: register with Scouting America as a leader, Current Scouting America Youth Protection Training through 18 Jul 2026, Scouting Medical Form Parts A, B, and C (requires physical examination after 01 Jul 2025 with a preferred no later than date of 15 Jun 2026), and medical insurance card.
SCOUT SELECT MERIT BADGES [Click here] - SOONEST to have best chance of getting your first choice selections. Note all Eagle required or Eagle optional merit badges are in the morning summits except Environmental Science, which is offered in the morning and afternoon. The morning Eagle merit badges include: Swimming, Emergency Preparedness, Life Saving, First Aid, Personal Fitness, and Camping. Cooking merit badge is now being offered every other year at this camp; this is an off year. The merit badges that are new offerings for the camp include: Woodcarving, Electronics, Railroading, Energy, Digital Technology, Graphics Art, Moving Making and Photography, Electricity, Theatre, and American Heritage. There's some offerings that require some explanation:
a. Stained glass - this is an activity. It does not contribute toward any merit badge.
b. Open archery - this requires no sign up. Scouts show up as desired for instruction and practice. If you want to do this, you'll want to leave Summit 3 or 6 open
c. Open rifle - this requires no sign up. Scouts show up as desired for instruction and practice. If you want to do this, you'll want to leave Summit 3 or 6 open
d. Open shotgun - required age 14 yrs or older, requires no sign up. If you want to do this, leave Summit 6 open
e. Open swimming and boating - requires no sign up but will need an afternoon summit open
d. Paul Bunyon Woodsman - this is not a merit badge; it is an award. You get a patch for a blanket or backpack, not the uniform, and a wallet certification card. One of the requirements is to help scouts earn the Tot'n Chip, a perfect fit to assist our new scouts at camp so they can earn it too.
e. NOVA Award - the camp is going to spend time on working scouts through the original program requirements of "Up and Away" module (i.e. about fluid dynamics), one of three modules, for the NOVA Engineering Award created in 2019 under BSA. Scouting America no longer administers this STEM program, has removed the awards and requirements from its websites and national advancement database, and no longer registers counselor positions. Councils are allowed to administer the program as originally designed or may modify it. Our Council, Simon Kenton, continues the program as originally intended. Camp Conestoga program at summer camp will follow the original program requirements making work at Conestoga compatible toward NOVA Award in our Simon Kenton Council. To complete this module requires completing one of the following merit badges: Aviation, Kayaking, Rowing, Canoeing, Oceanography, Scuba Diving, Chemistry, Plumbing or Swimming. The only other pre-requisite for this program is requirement #1 (see http://usscouts.org/usscouts/advance/nova/scout-nova-9.asp)
f. Personal Fitness - Dave Berchtold intends to hold a Personal Fitness MB clinic starting in Apr for area Dublin troops. If any unforeseen circumstances arise to cause a start delay, he will host it sometime during the warmer months of this calendar year.
Helpful resources to complete the merit badge and activity sign up form are below:
Camp Conestoga merit badge schedule
Merit badge pre-requisites - A prerequisite is a requirement for a merit badge that must be completed prior to the Scout arriving at camp to earn the merit badge at camp. Simply put, if a Scout does not have the requirements for a prerequisite completed, the Scout will not complete the merit badge at camp and will get a "Partial". A Partial is a blue card with some and not all requirements. Partials issued never expire until the Scout is 18 years of age. That means that a Scout can either find a counselor at home or return to camp next year and pick up right where he left off.
Merit badge costs - these are additional costs the scout will need to fund at summer camp
PARENT MAKE PAYMENT
21 Apr 2026 - final payment of the amount owed is due. The discounted Camp Conestoga fee is $420, for those that make the 03 Mar 2026 deadline, any new scout not yet having rank that joined the troop since mid-Jul 2025, or any transfer scout from another troop that is Scout rank or below that joined the troop since mid-Jul 2025. Otherwise, the fee is $440. The troop fee is $35/scout which pays for adult volunteer registration fees, T-shirts, gear transport, food, etc. For families with more than one scout going to Camp Conestoga, a $35 discount is applied to every child after the first one.
Make payments via 3 options:
Venmo - (@treasurer_troop299skc Code: 7807). Provide scout's name and "Conestoga $50" in the ‘What’s it for?’ section.
Check - Get Jennifer Gohring a check made out to "Troop 299". We recommend making arrangements with her to get the check directly to her. Alternatively, bring the deposit to the troop meeting on 03 Mar and the final payment on 21 Apr.
Scout Account - Use your son’s troop account AFTER contacting Jennifer Gohring to confirm the scout's account balance.
Payment to drivers if carpooling are to be paid by cash on the day of transport. $10 is recommended for this outing to summer camp and another $10 to return to Dublin.
PARENT SUBMIT SCOUTING AMERICA MEDICAL FORM AND INSURANCE CARDS
21 Apr due date
Insurance Cards
15 Jun due date
We are not intending to accept medical documentation in the month of Jul; families should have everything turned in 15 Jun. Schedule the medical examination needed for Part C now. Parts A, B, and C of BSA/SA medical form are required of adults and scouts if staying at camp 72 hours or more. For those staying less than 72 hours, only Parts A&B are needed. For visitors on Wed for family night, no medical form is required unless spending the night. If BSA forms part A and part B have no significant changes since you last filled them out, you can re-initial part A and write an updated date. Part C cannot be re-initiated and the medical assessment by a physician must be after 01 Jul 2025. To request an extension of a due date for medical documentation submittals, send an email to April Lehman at "april.n.lehman@gmail.com". Medical forms can be emailed to April Lehman at "april.n.lehman@gmail.com" OR delivered to her at 6585 Weston Cir E Dublin, OH 43016 at the folder inside the front storm/screen door OR brought to the troop meeting 21 Apr (for Parts A & B and insurance cards)
PARENT SUBMIT COWBOY SHOOTING PERMISSION SLIPS [Click here] - by 21 Apr to bsa.berchtold@gmail.com with copy to april.n.lehman@gmail.com. The scout brings his own copy to summer camp. In this program, Scouts will fire a rifle, pistol, and shotgun under the supervision of an NRA Range Safety Officer and NRA certified instructors. The age requirement for participation is 14 years of age, or 13 and has completed the eighth grade, as of 13 Jul 2026. The camp has not yet released their program schedule; however, expect a mandatory safety briefing Monday night with competition Thursday night.
SUBMIT ZIP LINE PERMISSION SLIPS FOR SCOUTS [Click here] - by 21 Apr to bsa.berchtold@gmail.com with copy to april.n.lehman@gmail.com. The scout brings his own copy to summer camp. Scouts that enroll in the COPE program (done by completing the merit badge sign up form) and want to zip line need this permission slip. Any scout has opportunity to use the zipline during the week and similarly require a permission slip.
Note: While not collecting permission slips for family members, any visiting family member on Family Night will need to complete a permission slip to use the zip line. We recommend completing it from home and bringing it with you.
PARENT SUBMIT DIETARY REQUESTS [Click here] IF HAVE ANY - by 21 Jun although we recommend doing it just prior to completing the sign up form to register your scout.
SHOULD I GO OR SHOULD I NOT
Top 10 REASONS SCOUTS SHOULD ATTEND SUMMER CAMP
10. Learn skills; part of the journey of turning boys into men
9. Develops independence and self-confidence; get past the fear
8. Love camping
7. Develops social skills; unplug from technology
6. Best summer camp value for the money
5. Launching platform for growth and advancement and staying with scouting
4. Develop leadership skills, followership skills; and making ethical decisions
3. Merit badge attainment in short period of time
2. Develops relationships with troop peers; happier and connected scouts
1. It’s safe fun; hang with friends; gives mom and dad a vacation
Top 10 MYTHS ABOUT SUMMER CAMP
10. I can only eat mom’s cooking
9. I will never like camping or the outdoors
8. One of my parents has to be there
7. Bathrooms are latrines and there’s no hot water for showers
6. It’s expensive and of low value
5. I won’t have or make any friends
4. I can’t go because I don’t have a tent
3. I can't go because I have special needs
2. I’m not missing out on anything if I don’t go
1. I'm too young to go; I'll get homesick and bullied; it is just unsafe
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ONE OF THE SCOUT RANK REQUIREMENTS REQUIRES YOUR SCOUT TO WORK WITH HIS PARENTS ON THE CYBERCHIP AWARD. PLEASE DO THIS BEFORE SUMMER CAMP so your scout can earn scout rank while at summer camp.
New scouts might ask how many merit badges or activities should I sign up for and are there any specific ones I should take? The answer is it is up to the scout with help from mom and dad. There are some things to consider. If your scout likes to spend time with another scout in the troop, maybe they share in a mutual interest. There's comfort in numbers. The weather is generally pleasant but usually get rain sometime during the week. For some scouts, not an issue. For others, they might prefer some time indoors. Handicraft merit badges bring scouts indoors. Younger scouts tend to get more fatigued than older scouts. If this is a concern, leaving one of the afternoon summits open is a good strategy to give a scout some opportunity for down time, rest, spending time with friends, going to the trading store for a treat, etc. The best advice for mom and dad is to guide your scouts when filling out the merit badge and activity sign up but let the scout make the final decision. The worst thing that can happen is he is in a merit badge summit because someone else thought it was a good idea and he can't stand it. Don't worry yet about the road to Eagle and which merit badges to take now. Besides, the only available Eagle merit badge for scouts in the Pathfinder Program is Environmental Science, a merit badge better taken in a couple years. That merit badge also extends across 2 summits, limiting options for other merit badge and activity selections. Feel free to talk to some of the adult elders and scouts to get various viewpoints but let the scout follow his heart and interests.