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2014 Tuscarora Council Adventure Trek Guide
2014 Tuscarora Council Adventure Trek Guide
Trek Overview
The Adventure Trek program will operate from base camp, Camp Tuscarora, in Four Oaks North Carolina. The week long trek will lead participants out of camp and return by week end. Most activity will take place starting on Sunday afternoon at the Tuscarora Councils Kerr Lake property. Local partners such as the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center and Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center will host other sections of our trek. The trek will head east to the coast and will end back in base camp by Friday afternoon. Along with focusing on the traditional aims and methods of Scouting, participants will engage in various team building exercises and personal development activities throughout the week that will help them grow both as individuals and Scouters. The group as a whole will constantly be traveling, so participants are encouraged to prepare as though this were a week-long backpacking trip to increase mobility and equipment capacity with vehicles. Scouts will participate in activities that will cover requirements for many different merit badges and awards. Some of these will be awarded at the completion of the trek. Overall, the goal is to have an exciting and fun-filled week where all participants can walk away more knowledgeable, inspired, and prepared for their future.
Participant Requirements
The following are eligibility requirements for youth and adults. 1. Must be a registered Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Venture Scout, Sea Scout, or Adult Leader. 2. Participants must be fourteen (14) years old by the week attending the program. 3. All participants must pass the BSA swimmers test 4. Must have a current completed and current Medical Health Record parts A, B, & C, signed by parent or guardian and doctor. 5. Completed Activity Control Form and Waiver. 6. Completed Code of Conduct. 7. All fees submitted before attending.
Complete the registration form and submit along with any payment to the Tuscarora Council office: Tuscarora Council, Boy Scouts of America Adventure Trek PO Box 1436 Goldsboro, NC 27530 Make Checks payable to: Tuscarora Council, BSA For more information on the program or how to sign up contact Scott Hagler, Camp Director at 919-734-1714 or scott.hagler@scouting.org. See the council website for more information on the camp and directions to the Kerr Lake property at www.bsanc.org/camps.
Sunburn
Sunburn can be dangerous as well as uncomfortable and can ruin your trip. Not using sunscreen and trying to have a tan when you return is not a good idea. Use a good non-oily sunscreen (SPF 30+) to cover all areas that are easily burned. Do Not bring sun tan oil.
Smoking
The use of any tobacco product by a youth is prohibited. Adults are prohibited from smoking in any location where they can be observed by youth.
Alcohol
The use of alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances at camp is prohibited
Uniforming
As Scouts it is appropriate to travel to and from camp in field uniform. It will not be required to wear field uniform during activities on the trek after leaving base camp, but Scouts and adults should have at least one uniform to wear while traveling. Field uniform is the appropriate attire for the Friday evening closing campfire program. Trek crew members will be recognized there.
Swimsuits
All swimming attire should be modest. Board shorts will be appropriate for men, all swim suits should have liners in them. For women, bikinis are not appropriate, one-piece swimsuits and modest tankini suits are considered appropriate.
Conduct Policy
Closely related to safety, both mental and physical, is our program's code of conduct. Each participant will be required to read and sign a full value contract on expected behavior and conduct prior to leaving base camp. See the Code of Conduct in this guide. Due to the traveling aspect of this trek and the fact that we will be in open view of the general public at times, it is imperative that we are constantly ensuring our words and actions are conducive with BSA policies and we are on our best Scout-like behavior. There will be a zero-tolerance policy for breaching this contract that addresses bullying, illegal substances, foul language, and several other key areas. The staff is prepared, at any time, to remove any individual from the program that refuses to abide by this code of conduct, or insists on causing issues for the entire group. Just as no one individual should be held back for the actions of others, all participants will be held to the same level of expectations in regards to their conduct while on this trek.
Friday: The crew will break camp that morning and complete tours of the Coast Guard Station and Fort Macon. They will have one more opportunity to get back on the water before heading back to base camp. Upon arrival at Camp Tuscarora, the Trek Crew will make camp in their designated area. That afternoon they will work on Welding merit badge activities. Later they will prepare a final dinner together, fellowship with other Scouts, and participate in the closing campfire. Saturday: The trek crew break camp will participate in the final flag ceremony of the week with the rest of camp, and then check out with their Trek leader before departing.
Be Prepared
Even though we will be camping in the same areas for parts of the trek each participant should treat this as though it were a backpacking trip in regards to your pre-trek preparations. Activities can be physical and can be demanding on your body. Proper preparations such as daily walking and exercise as well as swimming activity if able can reduce the stress while on the trek. Take note of normal weather temperatures and UV rays for June and July when assembling your gear. Extreme weather conditions such as heavy rains and wind can also be a factor during the summer months in our area. There will be a variety of skills used while on the trek, many of which may have been learned at camp in previous years. Take time to review those skills and check on the new ones in the activities listed in the sections to follow. This will make for a better trek experience.
Advancement Opportunities
Merit Badges
This trek is NOT designed to be a merit badge factory. However, through the course of the week, the participants will just so happen to be completing several requirements of the Boy Scout Program through their activities. Listed below are the merit badges that coincide with the trek activities: Water Sports, Motorboating, orboating, Backpacking, Wilderness Survival, Canoeing, Kayaking, Welding, Scuba Diving If any participant comes on the trek with the specific intentions of completing any of the abovementioned merit badges, adges, they must make it known to the Trek Program Leader prior to leaving base camp AND have taken the necessary steps prior to arrival of researching all requirements beginning with "Discuss", "Describe", and "Explain". A list of completed requirements will be given to the individual and/or leader upon completion of the trek.
Awards
Along with the merit badge portion of the Boy Scout Program, participants will also be involved in activities that coincide with BSA Awards such as: BSA Scuba, BSA Snorkel, SUP Award, Boardsailing BSA Award, AirHogs Scuba Patch, Paul Bunyan Award, and Tuscarora Council Adventure Trek Patch The application for each of these awards will be available upon request at the beginning of the trek. It is the participant's cipant's responsibility to keep track of the form and ensure it is filled out as requirements are completed. A list of completed awards will be given to the participant and/or leader upon completion of the trek. Any awards earned will be presented at Closing Closi Campfire on Friday evening.
What to Bring
As stated several times thus far, participants need to be prepared to travel light while still having what is necessary for the week-long week long adventure. Listed below are items that would be considered a minimally prepared backpack: Field Uniform Hiking shoes/boots Backpack 2 Water Bottles/Nalgenes (1L) Insect repellent Sunglasses with strap Backpacking tent or hammock Sleeping pad Backpack style Matches/fire starter Towel 2 bandanas Pocket knife Rain gear Mess kit Nylon cord (rope) First-aid kit (personal) Flashlight/headlamp /headlamp Sunscreen/Sunblock - SPF30+ Tarp/Ground cloth* Pencil/Pen/Notebook Pencil/Pen/Notebook* Toothbrush/Personal toiletry items Clothing appropriate for the season/activities 2 Swimsuits Water shoes Long Pants Hat Camera* Fishing equipment* * = optional items
Please remember several things in regards to packing: Yes this is a week long, but you do not need 2 outfits per day - underwear and aquatic footwear are priorities. If you do not want it wet, find a way to secure it in a dry bag or some sort of protection - extra Zip-locks Zip never hurt. If you have other useful backpacking gear such as a small stove or bear bag, definitely bring it! If nothing else, it can always be used for educational purposes. Leave your electronic devices at home, there is plenty to enjoy without them. There Th will be no place to charge or power them while on the trek. The trek staff will keep cell phone in order to keep in contact with base camp. Firearms, fireworks, tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages are NOT allowed on the trek.
Code of Conduct
2014 Tuscarora Adventure Trek Participant Contract
Through registration with the Boy Scouts of America and participation as an active Scout/Scouter within the organization, I hereby recognize and agree to abide by the following principals as set forth by the Tuscarora Council as a participant in the 2014 Tuscarora Council Adventure Trek: I will conduct myself, in both actions and words, in a manner that will fulfill my pledge as a Scout/Scouter to the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. I understand and submit that my actions and words are at the interpretation of the Tuscarora Council staff, and that breach of this contract is declared at their discretion I understand that there is a zero tolerance policy for the possession and/or use of illegal substances and/or alcohol while I am a participant I understand that language, jokes, and conversations that are not Scout appropriate will be a violation of this contract and can ultimately result in removal from program participation. I understand that this program is a week-long BSAfunction, and I shall conduct myself in an honorable Scoutlike manner to the best of my ability at all times. I understand and agree that the Tuscarora Council staff have been trained and prepared to properly hold this program, and I will abide by any and all specific rules and regulations specifically set forth for this program. Failure to acknowledge and adhere to the above mentioned policies will be observed as an intentional breach of contract, for which any participant may be removed from the program at any time. By signing below, participants acknowledge that they have read this code of conduct and agree to abide by the expectations set by the Tuscarora Council and its staff.
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Adventure Trek Payment Schedule First $90 Deposit with registration Second $100 by March 31, 2014 Third - $100 by May 30, 2014
All fees must be paid by June 1, 2014 A late fee of $30 will be added after that date.
Make Checks Payable to: Tuscarora Council Adventure Trek PO Box 1436 Goldsboro, NC 27533-1436 27533
Total Payment $