Goshen Leader Update #1: Registration Reminders, Webinar Series, Programs and Opportunities (01/19/2025)

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Hello Goshen Leaders!
My name is Elisabeth Warren, Goshen Scout Reservation Director, and I am very excited to welcome you and your Units to GSR for Summer 2025! The 2025 Camp Director team is hard at work preparing for your arrival this summer, and are looking forward to preparing memorable experiences and programs for your Scouts.
Below to important reminders to keep in mind as you begin to prepare for this summer!
Registration Reminders
This past November, Goshen Scout Reservation made an announcement regarding 2025 Fee Adjustments. We have received a few questions since this announcement, and wanted to clarify a few points below.
Registration Terms:
  • All-Inclusive: Goshen Scout Reservation is now all-inclusive! An all-inclusive fee structure means that there are no hidden fees or additional costs for your Scouts or leaders to attend a GSR camp beyond the registration fee. Previous additional costs for items and programs such as basketry kits, leather crafts, shotgun ammunition, and the ATV program are now included. Merit Badge program supplies will be provided to your Scouts during their merit badge session and will not need to be purchased in the Trading Post.
  • Unit Deposit: All units attending Goshen Scout Reservation will make a “unit deposit” in the form of a one-time, non-refundable $200 registration fee. This deposit is not rolled into the registration fee of a youth participant, and is a standalone fee. Units who send multiple groups to GSR Camps will only need to make one Unit Deposit (e.g., a Unit sends one group to a Scouts BSA Camp and one group to Lenhok’sin High Adventure. Please contact Sarah Moses if you are sending multiple groups to camp).
  • Camper Deposit: A $100 “camper deposit” is now in place that will lock in your spot at camp until full payment can be made. This camper deposit is a part of the overall cost of camp and is not an additional fee. Scouts BSA youth who have not made full payment at the time of Merit Badge Registration, but have made a camper deposit will be able to take part in Merit Badge signups.
Registration Timeline / Important Dates:
  • November 15, 2024: Camper Deposit Phase opens. At this time, youth campers are able to register with a $100 deposit that is a part of the overall cost of camp.
  • February 15, 2025: Camper Deposits due. After this point, youth registrations will be made for the full cost of camp, and will not be broken into the $100 deposit and remainder fee.
  • March 1, 2025: Campership applications due. Applications will be accepted afterwards on a rolling basis as funds are available.
  • March 31, 2025: Merit Badge Sign-ups open at 7:00 pm. More instruction to come closer to the registration date.
  • April 15, 2025: Early Bird period ends. After this point, the cost of camp increases for new registrants. New Scouts BSA members who have crossed over from the Arrow of Light Rank will still be eligible for the early bird rate to encourage new Scouts BSA youth to attend summer camp with their new Troops.
  • May 1, 2025: Bus Transportation registration opens. Transportation to the Goshen Scout Reservation via bus is provided to Units at an additional cost.
  • June 1, 2025: Final payments for camp attendance are requested by June 1st to best plan for your attendance at camp. Accepted at a minimum of two weeks before arriving on site.
If you are no longer the Registration Contact for your unit, this post goes over how to update your registration:
If you need to access your registration, this post goes over how to do so:
Remember, as you begin to add participants to your registrations, you should only add participants as you are ready to pay for them. When you are ready to add participants, this post has a quick walkthrough:
Leader and Program Guides, Program Schedules
Copies of the 2025 GSR Leader Guides, Program Guides, and Program Schedules will be posted on www.gotogoshen.org in early February. Thank you for your patience as we continue to plan for an exciting Summer 2025!
Orientation Webinar Series
Are you a Bear or Webelos leader or parent? Join us for our monthly Camp Ross Webinar series! Each month, we gather to discuss a different topic that will assist you in planning for your Camp Ross Adventure.
This coming Tuesday, we will be reviewing “how to fund your summer camp adventure,” and will talk about NCAC’s Camp Card fundraiser, how to apply popcorn vouchers, apply for camperships, and more.
For more information and dates for upcoming webinars, please visit https://weownadventure.com/webinar-series-cub-scout-summer-camp/.
Camperships – Rolling Applications
If you know of any scouts in your unit who may benefit from financial assistance to attend summer camp at the Goshen Scout Reservation, please encourage them to complete the NCAC “Financial Support Request Form.” Recipients can receive assistance for up to 50% of the cost of camp. Please visit www.gotogoshen.org/camperships for more information.
Early Bird Registration Closes April 15 at 11:59 pm
Early Bird Registration will close Friday, April 15 at 11:59 pm. Participants who have registered before this time will receive the posted discounted price when attending camp.
Merit Badge and Activity Signups – Opens March 31 at 7:00 pm
Merit Badge & Activity Signups for Camps Olmsted, Marriott, and Bowman will open on March 31 at 7:00 pm. Merit Badge Program Schedules will be available under “forms and downloads” on each Camp’s webpage. The updated Program and Pre-Requisites Guide will be released shortly – stay tuned!
Provisional Camping Opportunities
There are several opportunities for individual / provisional scouts at Goshen this summer! Scouts interested in a provisional merit badge experience can find more information here: www.gotogoshen.org/provisional.
Scouts interested in attending a provisional Trail Trek at Lenhok’sin High Adventure, sponsored by the NCAC High Adventure Committee can find more information here: www.gotogoshen.org/lenhoksin.
Looking for a two-week experience? Members of the Order of the Arrow are invited to join the Goshen Order of the Arrow Trail (GOAT) Crew for two weeks at Lenhok’sin High Adventure. Learn more at www.gotogoshen.org/about.
Join Goshen Scout Reservation Summer Camp Staff!
Goshen Scout Reservation is hiring Camp Staff for the Summer 2025 Season! Working on Camp Staff is a memorable experience that promotes growth, independence, and creates memories that last a lifetime. Staff help to teach essential scout skills, such as tying knots and building fires, and have the opportunity to make lasting impressions on campers while showing them the wonders of the outdoors!
At this time, Goshen Scout Reservation is actively hiring:
  • Camp Leadership Position (Camp Director, Program Director, Facilities Director)
  • Aquatics Director(s) and Aquatics Program Staff
  • ATV Director(s) and Assistant(s)
  • COPE Director and Program Staff
  • Range and Target Activities Director(s) and Program Staff
  • Scoutcraft Director(s) and Program Staff
  • Ecology Director(s) and Program Staff
  • High Adventure Outpost Directors and Program Staff
Learn more about Goshen Staff at www.gotogoshen.org/staff.
Volunteer Service Weekend: May 9 – 11
Looking for a service opportunity for your unit or family? Join members of the Goshen Scout Reservation Staff for a weekend of service to assist in camp beautification and prepare for Summer 2025! This past fall, we painted buildings rebuilt lifejacket and canoe racks, installed campsite signs, and built picnic tables (to name a few!) Learn more and join us at www.gotogoshen.org/vww
Family Camp: May 23 – 26
Join the Goshen Scout Reservation this coming Memorial Day Weekend for a fun-filled Family Camping Experience! Soar through the sky on the giant swing, cool off on beautiful Lake Merriweather, test your aim at Shooting Sports, challenge your inner artist at Handicraft, and spend time with your family and friends in the great outdoors. All are welcome, not just registered scouts. Find more information at www.gotogoshen.org/familycamp

Yours in Scouting,

Elisabeth Warren | Goshen Scout Reservation Director