What are you doing during February school vacation''

During the deep snows of February school vacation, 28 lucky Boy Scouts will be able to stay warm and cozy in the Rotary Training Center at Camp Hinds.  Pine Tree Council will be hosting Winter Camp 2017 February 19 th – 24 th.  Check-in is at noon on the 19th.

 Winter Camp is a weeklong provisional resident camp program for Scouts 13 years and older and at least First Class Rank.  Provisional means you sign-up as an individual Scout.  You don't need to come with your troop or patrol - camp provides adult leaders, patrol leaders, and merit badge counselors.  Come alone or with a buddy.

 There will be 15 merit badges offered (Animation MB, Citizenship in the Nation MB, Emergency Preparedness MB, Game Design MB, Geocaching MB, Inventing MB, Journalism MB, Law MB, Plumbing MB, Public Speaking MB, Rifle Shooting MB, Shotgun Shooting MB, Snow Sports MB [snowshoe option], Welding MB, and Wilderness Survival MB) and one training course (Me IF&W Snowmobile Safety Course). Some sessions will meet in the tech center in the new dining hall. 

 Scouts age 12 and at least First Class Rank may register after January 15th if space is still available.

 Scouts can earn merit badges, participate in outdoor winter skills, meet new friends and have fun!  Planned activities include an Orienteering & GPS patrol challenge, patrol winter Olympics, building and sleeping in qunizees (snow shelters), along with the Wal-Mart biathlon, leather belt making, dutch oven cookoff and other indoor and outdoor activities.

  Cost for Winter Camp is $330.00 per person (early bird is $300 if paid in full by January 15th.).  A $50.00 deposit holds your space.  A limited amount of campership money is available.  Enrollment is limited to the first 28 Scouts who signup. Mark your calendars for Winter Camp 2017!  What a great way to spend February school vacation!

 One parent wrote:

“Thank you very much for the outstanding Winter Camp experience this year. Our son had an all-around great time and enjoyed it very much.  We know he learned a lot this week as well and are impressed with all of the merit badge work that was completed!  He made new friends and we know all of the staff set a great example as well.  On the way home, he talked about maybe wanting to apply for the youth staff next year.

Thanks again and keep up the good work!”

Questions – contact Dean Zaharis, Winter Camp Scoutmaster, at dzaharis@gmail.com.