Okpik 2023-2024
Cold Weather Camping Training

Okpik (Ook’pick) is the Inuit name for a Snowy Owl. The Okpik course aims to provide participants with the skills and knowledge to enjoy an outdoor experience in cold weather; to help Scout units extend their outing season to all 12 months of the year; and to share their acquired knowledge and skills with their units. These skills are taught over five sessions using the patrol method.

What Okpik sessions cover: Cold Weather Clothing Systems and Sleeping Systems; Cooking, Meal Preparation and Planning; Equipment & Sleds; First Aid and Hypothermia; Travel Safety; Winter Naturalist; Winter Photography; Stoves, Fire building, Leave No Trace; Tents & Shelters. The overnight session introduces participants to a variety of winter activities and games and an opportunity to try out what they learned in a safe environment. Learning is done using the Patrol Method. Okpik also teaches you how to have fun in the cold! Think Klondike Derby for adults and senior Scouts!

Who: Okpik training is open to all levels of Scout leaders and experienced Scouting youth (Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouts) who are 13 years old by the date of the Indoor Session. Scouts BSA youth must be 1st class or above. For scouts that are 13 years old they must have Scoutmaster approval to attend.

All participants must submit a completed Annual Health & Medical form at the Indoor Session (parts A & B). In addition, all youth participants must submit a completed Activity Consent form at the Indoor Session. Participants must attend all sessions and patrol meetings to complete the course and earn the coveted Okpik cubes!

Cost: Register by November 1, 2023: $90 / November 2nd & after: $100 The fee covers registration, course materials, snacks during sessions, and a food allowance for the overnight session.

When and Where:

1. Virtual Orientation - Wednesday, December 6, 2023 (6:30pm Check in. Orentation from 7:00pm - 9:00pm)
   Location: Link for virtual meeting will be sent closer to the date in a welcome email
2. Indoor/Outdoor Classroom Session – Saturday, December 9, 2023 (8:00am Check in; Session from 9:00am– 1:00pm)
   Camp Big Timber 
   37W955 Big Timber Road
   Elgin, IL        
3. Outdoor Training Session – Saturday, January 6, 2024 (8:00am Check in; 9:00am – 1:00pm)
   Von Oven Scout Reservation
   701 S. West St. 
   Naperville, IL 60540
4. Outdoor Overnight Session – Friday-Saturday, February 9-10, 2024 (Arrival Fri 5:00pm; Departure Sat around 4:00pm)
   Camp Big Timber
   37W955 Big Timber Road
   Elgin, Illinois

Patrol Meetings:
Each patrol will have 2 meetings. Date, time, and location TBD by each patrol.