The Overland Trails Council Back to Basics Spring Camporee is a celebration to a return to in-person Scouting after a long year apart. It will recapture the fun of the early days of Scouting with events and competitions that feature historic activities and gear.

• What: Overland Trails Council Back to Basics Spring Camporee
• Who: All Scouts BSA troops
• When: April 23-25,2021
• Where: Nebraska National Forest, Halsey NE
• Why: Overland Trails Council has planned a Spring Camporee designed to create a more meaningful Scouting experience for your Scouts. This year we present Back to Basics, a celebration of a return to in person scouting after a long year. In keeping with the idea of re-capturing the fun of the early days of scouting, events and competitions will feature historic activities and resources. Accordingly, there are some things at this Camporee that will be different from what you might usually expect. We want your youth to have a good time and enjoy the fellowship of other Scouts in the spirit of friendship and goodwill. Adults are encouraged to help with judging events and assisting with other Camporee activities. COVID-19 has necessitated some changes in the Camporee format. All participants should practice handwashing, wear a mask, and practice social distancing. All units should plan campsites that are supplied and set up to facilitate sanitation and social distancing to meet COVID guidelines. Be sure to complete all required forms so that registration, check-in, and checkout go smoothly. Because of the uncertainness of attendance right now, patches for the Camporee will be distributed after the event. Thank you for your participation and your efforts to make our program exceptional.
• How: Troops must sign up together as a unit

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
(Subject to Change)

FRIDAY
5:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. Check-in
5:30 p.m.- 7:45 p.m. Camp Set up
7:45 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Senior Patrol Leader/Scoutmaster meeting
8:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. Camp wide Cracker Barrel
10:30 pm Lights out! Scouts must be in tents going to sleep. QUIET TIME.

SATURDAY
7:00 a.m.- 8:40 a.m. Wake Up, Breakfast and morning responsibilities
8:45 a.m. Flags and Opening Ceremony
9:00 – 10:00 Wilderness Survival
      Service Project with trail lunch provided by the scouts (Cooking Requirement)
12:00 p.m. Lunch- Trail lunch eaten out in the field for older scouts working on service project. Others make lunch at camp.
1:00 p.m. Service project for younger scouts
     There will be some free time with opportunities for fishing, hiking, exploring having a great time and constructing survival shelters.
4:00-5:00 PM – Sustainability information
5:00 p.m. Evening Meal Preparations
7:00 p.m. Campfire
     Troops can earn extra points for Campfire skits and/or songs. Skits must be Scout appropriate.
10:30 pm Lights out! Scouts must be in tents going to sleep. QUIET TIME.

SUNDAY
7:00 a.m.-8:45 a.m. Wake Up, Breakfast and morning responsibilities
9:00 a.m. Scouts Own Service
     (Scouts Own Service will be led by Troop Chaplain Aid or SPL if a Chaplain Aid is unavailable).
Closing and Awards Ceremony
10:00 a.m. After clean up, the camp and skills areas should show no evidence of the Camporee except for footprints. Cooperation in this regard is expected of all participants. All campsites will be inspected before checkout.

EVENTS:
Low Impact Camping- All Camporee participants must follow the Principals of Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics.

Camp meals- Breakfasts and the evening meals will be prepared at the Troop campsites. Saturday lunch must be a trail lunch to be eaten away from the campsites. Troops are to pack a trail lunch to eat during lunch break. Please pack and drink water throughout the event times. Be careful of dehydration.

When using cooking stoves all Stove Safety Rules must be followed. Fires must be in rings or grills. NO GROUND FIRES WILL BE ALLOWED AT CAMPOREE!

Campsites will be judged using the campsite inspection sheet included in this packet. As a Troop, Scouts should decide the best way to set up their camp in the area they have been assigned, keeping the judging criteria in mind. Camp gadgets- rope lashed, Scout made camp items (tool rack, wash stand etc.) are expected. Refer to the Scout Handbook, Field Book and Pioneering Merit Badge Pamphlet for examples. Camp gadgets are to be made at camp, not pre-constructed. Judging can take place any part of the day; therefore, it is imperative our Scouts keep their campsite clean and well organized. First and second place will be awarded.

CAMPSITE INSPECTION

Objective: To set up a model campsite.
Procedure: As a Troop/Patrol, decide the best way to set up your camp in the area you have been assigned. Take into consideration all the things the completed campsite will be judged on.
Rules: No Scouts will be allowed in the campsite during judging. Any adults in camp at the time of the inspection are asked not to interact with the judges.
Judging Criteria: Scoring
Possible Points

Campsite:

1. Tents arranged to best advantage/socially distanced as space best allows 5
2. Tents correctly assembled 10
3. Tents securely staked, ground cloths placed properly 5
4. Troop identification prominently displayed 5
5. Grounds clean, free of all debris and hazards 10
6. Well defined camp perimeter 5
7. Ground cover undisturbed (may remove sticks and pine cones, but do not rake) 5
8. Camp gadget 10

Kitchen Area:

1. Mess gear properly washed & stored 10
2. Visible provisions made for trash disposal/recycling 5
3. Menu posted 2
4. Duty roster posted 3
5. Fire rings meet event and BSA guidelines 10
6. Stoves safe per BSA guidelines 10
7. Hand washing facilities provided per COVID 5
8. First aid kit in sight and readily available 5
9. Hand sanitizer visible and readily available 5

Financial Assistance

We don’t want any youth to miss out on an event due to inability to pay. We have financial assitance available to help offset the cost of this event. You must fill out an application PRIOR to registering for the event. The name in the application must match the participant name in the registration.

Click here to apply for financial assistance