Archive for category: General

June 14, 2024

Good afternoon Goshen Leaders!

Can you believe it’s almost time for summer camp? The Goshen Staff have hit the ground running here at the Goshen Scout Reservation and are hard at work preparing for your arrival!

This email serves as a final Goshen Leader Update before your arrival. Please read it carefully!

List of Items Needed for Check In

• Unit Registration Rosters (New!): To ensure that the Goshen Scout Reservation and the units who stay with us are in compliance with BSA membership policies regarding camping eligibility, we are requiring that each unit who stays with us provide a Scoutbook unit roster at the time of check in to ensure that all attendees are registered members of the BSA, including all camping adults, and that all adults have current YPT. The roster should indicate all youth and adults who are attending with your unit.

To create the necessary roster, please follow the instructions at www.gotogoshen.org/registration/how-to-unit-registration-rosters/.

• Medical Forms and NCAC Health Advisory: All attendees (youth and adult), must present their completed BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A, B, and C), and completed NCAC Health Advisory Form as part of the camp check in process. Please note that no physical forms other than the BSA Annual Health and Medical Record Form will be accepted, per BSA policy. Please find this document under our Forms and Downloads page, or at www.gotogoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/BSA-Medical-Form-with-NCAC-Health-Advisory.pdf.
• Unit Pre–Camp Screening Form: All units must submit a completed “Unit Pre-Camp Screening Form” upon arrival at the Goshen Scout Reservation. Please find this document under our Forms and Downloads page, or at www.gotogoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Goshen-Unit-Pre-Camp-Screening-Form.docx.pdf.
• Packing List: Looking for a packing list on what to bring to camp? Take a look at these great resources!
  • Camps Bowman, Olmsted, and Marriott: www.gotogoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Scout-Equipment-Checklist-2024.pdf
  • Camp Ross: www.gotogoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/What-to-Bring-to-Camp-Ross.pdf
  • Lenhok’sin High Adventure Backpacking: www.gotogoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2024-Lenhoksin-Backpacking-Trek-Leaders-and-Crew-Guide.pdf
  • Lenhok’sin High Adventure River Trek: www.gotogoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2024-Lenhoksin-Canoe-Trek-Leaders-and-Crew-Guide.pdf
• Pre-Camp Swim Test: If your unit completed a Pre-Camp Swim Test prior to arriving at the Goshen Scout Reservation, please ensure that you have a completed copy of the Pre-Camp Swim Test Form and copy of the providing lifeguard’s certification to turn into your Camp’s Aquatics Director. Please note that your Camp Aquatics Director reserves the right to retest any Goshen Scout Reservation participant if they feel necessary. Please find this document under our Forms and Downloads page, or at www.gotogoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2024-Swim-Check-Form.pdf.
• Lenhok’sin High Adventure Training Certificates (Lenhok’sin High Adventure Units Only): A reminder for Lenhok’sin High Adventure Units – please bring a printed copy of the following trainings to be submitted upon arrival:
  • Wilderness First Aid Certification (at least one per unit, Backpacking and Canoe Treks)
  • Weather Hazards Training (at least one per unit, Backpacking and Canoe Treks)
  • CPR Certification (at least one per unit, Backpacking and Canoe Treks)
  • Safe Swim Defense (at least one per unit, Backpacking and Canoe Treks)
  • Safety Afloat (Canoe Trek Only)
  • Paddle Craft Safety (Canoe Trek Only)
  • Completed James River Canoe Trek Outfitter Release Waiver (Canoe Trek Only)

Bus Reminder
If your unit plans to take the Bus Service provided by the Goshen Scout Reservation, please sign up no later than 9:00 am on the Wednesday prior to your arrival at camp. Please note that the Largo location has been cancelled due to low demand, however Fairfax is still accepting tickets.
To sign up for the Goshen Scout Reservation Bus Service, please visit: www.gotogoshen.org/general/how-to-purchasing-bus-tickets/.

Dietary Restrictions
All dietary restrictions must be reported prior to your arrival at camp via your Unit’s Blackpug registration. Please indicate all allergies and dietary restrictions for each individual participant so that we can ensure all dietary needs are met! Questions? Contact our Food Service Director at whitney.spearman@gotogoshen.org.

Adult Leader Training Opportunities
The Goshen Scout Reservation and NCAC Training Committee have partnered together to provide a series of trainings throughout the summer. This includes:

• Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS)
• Scoutmaster Specific Training
• Life to Eagle Conference
• Citizenship in Society Merit Badge Counselor Training
• Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)

To learn what is available during your time at the Goshen Scout Reservation, please see the flyer here: Adult Leader Training . To sign up for a training opportunity, please log-in to your unit’s registration and select “manage participants classes” (just like merit badge sign up!). More instructions can be found here: hwww.gotogoshen.org/general/how-to-merit-badge-activity-sign-ups/

2024 Summer Camp Office Phone Numbers
Need to contact us during the summer? Our summer time camp office numbers are now online! We encourage you to please contact the camp you or your scout is attending to directly. Learn more at www.gotogoshen.org/information/contact-us/.

C-PAP Machines
This is a reminder that any person who requires a C-PAP machine must bring their own equipment, including a rechargeable battery to camp. The Goshen Scout Reservation does not have powered campsites and is unable to provide batteries and extension cords to participants. Daily charging areas are available in the camp Leader’s Lounge, Admin Building, and select program areas. Please speak with your camp administrative staff with any questions.

Yours in Scouting,

Elisabeth Warren | Goshen Scout Reservation Director

Splitting Adults on Your Registration

If you have adults that are planning to split the week and are wondering how to register them, check out this post: www.gotogoshen.org/registration/registration-tips-splitting-adults/

How to Add More Campers to Your Registration

If you are ready to add campers to your registration, check out this post: www.gotogoshen.org/registration/registration-tips-how-to-add-more-campers/

Unallocated Registration Credit

If you have unallocated credit attached to your registration account, please contact Sarah Moses with any questions.

Sarah Moses, Goshen Camping Specialist: sarah.moses@scouting.org

Merit Badge Registration: April 17 at 7:00 pm

Merit Badge Registration for Camps Bowman, Marriott, and Olmsted will open on April 17 at 7:00 pm. Please be sure check out the Program & Prerequisites Guide for the latest prerequisites, class descriptions, age recommendations, and specialty class fees.

Scouts BSA Program and Prerequisites Guide (also available under “Forms and Downloads”): www.gotogoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024-Scouts-BSA-Program-Guide.pdf

Questions about Merit Badge Sign Ups? Check out the “How To: MB Sign Ups” Guide (also available under “Forms and Downloads”). www.gotogoshen.org/general/how-to-merit-badge-activity-sign-ups/

Scouts interested in participating in “Open Program” blocks do not need to register for these sections.

If your unit is opting to use the new “parent portal” feature for merit badge sign ups, please be sure to select the “allow parent portal class selection” check box under the “use parent portal” section of the registration contact section.

Refund Policy Update Reminder

As a reminder, the National Capital Area Council has updated the Summer Camp Refund policy for all NCAC Summer Camps. Please see our registration page for details on the updated Refund Policy at www.gotogoshen.org/registration.