Welcome to the 2018 “Heart of Southern Illinois” Spring Camp-o-ree. We are glad that your Troop, Patrols, and Scouts have decided to join us on what promises to be a truly unique camping and learning experience.

As with any Scout outing, the primary goal is, of course, to have fun! However, we are also here for a full weekend to accomplish a goal. The program offered by this camp-o-ree is focused entirely on the skills requirements involved in completing the Search and Rescue  Merit Badge. We strongly encourage you to take the time to review and understand each of the requirements for this merit badge before-hand. Additional documentation can be found at meritbadge.org or at your local Scout Service Center.

Program sessions throughout the day will cover navigation, basic first aid skills, knot tying, preparedness, and teamwork all in methods specific to performing search and rescue operations, as well as ways to avoid becoming a rescue victim yourself. Following the round-robin sessions, there will be a camp-wide search and rescue scenario involving all participants.

Some program sessions will involve live demonstrations from search dog teams. These animals are professionally trained and will be under the care of their handlers at all times. If you have Scouts in your unit who cannot comfortably participate around unfamiliar dogs, please contact the Program Director, Mr. Jon Reynolds.

Please encourage all participants, both youth and adult, to stay adequately hydrated and to wear appropriate footwear for the event. For those unfamiliar with Pine Ridge, the roads in camp are gravel and there are several areas of considerable incline. Be prepared to do a lot of walking! This event will happen rain-or-shine, however locations of program activities may be adjusted as weather requires.

We look forward to seeing you in camp!