The Blue Ridge Mountains Council is proud to host the 27th Cub Scout and Scouts BSA Trout-O-Ree at Camp Powhatan!

A fishing tournament and numerous activities will be held throughout the day. A hot dog lunch, a tournament patch, and a limit of five trout are included for each registered participant. Parents may sign up individually or through their Scout’s unit. We encourage Scouts and their families to join us in camping overnight on Friday, included in your fee! 

Registration and Schedule Details

Pre-registration is required due to space and supply limitations. You must register before Monday, April 15, 2024, to avoid late fees. 

Parents are encouraged to attend and participate in this event; however, remember that the Scouts come first. Adults wishing to fish must pay the fees listed above. Adults who only wish to have lunch must pre-register for $5.

While we encourage families to participate, we ask all groups attending to make arrangements for appropriate adult leadership, as required by BSA Youth Protection policy and Scouting's Barriers to Abuse. You may pair with another unit or group to meet these requirements. All Cub Scout units must have at least two BSA registered adult leaders present and supervising, and at least one of these adults must have completed BALOO and BSA Hazardous Weather training. Any Cub Scout unit adult wishing to stay overnight must be a parent or legal guardian of an attending Cub Scout or be a registered adult with the BSA. All Scouts BSA units must have at least two BSA registered adult leaders as well, with one of these adults having completed BSA Hazardous Weather training and and BSA Outdoor training. All adults staying overnight with their Scouts BSA unit must have a current Youth Protection training certification and be a registered adult with the BSA. No unregistered adults will be permitted to stay overnight with a Scouts BSA unit. Any unit/group with female youth must have at least one registered adult female leader over 21 years old. Please contact the council office for assistance as needed in meeting these requirements. 

With your fishing registration you will receive one night of camping, lunch, an exclusive patch, and eligibility to compete for prizes (youth only).

Check-in is open Friday evening until 9:00 p.m. at the shower palace or on Saturday 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the boathouse (see camp map). Please let us know in advance if you need to arrive before 5:00 p.m. on Friday night. We will host a campfire program and flag retirement ceremony for your Scouts at the waterfront firepit on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Units are encouraged to coordinate and present skits at the campfire! 

We will have a Health Officer at check-in to review BSA Health Forms and address any health concerns participants may have. Please make sure all of you participants come prepared with a BSA Health Form, parts A and B completed. Health Form in Attachments.

The Trading Post will be open throughout the event on Saturday, so stop in to buy a souvenir and a snack! 

Pre-order your Spring Trout-o-ree t-shirt today here! Pre-orders are due before April 14. Extra t-shirts will be available for purchase in the Trading Post during the event, but we cannot guarantee having your size. 

Fishing begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Lunch is at 12:00 p.m. and is last time to submit fish for prizes. Prizes for competition winners will be presented following lunch at 1:00 p.m. in the Dining Hall, unless otherwise noted. You must be present to win.

Prize Divisions: 

• Cub Scout Biggest Trout: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
• Scouts BSA Biggest Trout: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
• Overall Champion (largest catch)

Trout-O-Ree Fishing Rules

• Fishing gear and bait are NOT provided.
• Good sportsmanship is a must.
• No fishing is allowed before or after the Trout-o-Ree.
• Fishing must take place between the swinging bridge and the area above the dam.
• Baits such as Berkley Power Bait, salmon eggs, cheese, worms, etc., can only be fished on a single hook. No double hooks or treble hooks are allowed. No corn can be used as bait.
• Due to the fragile nature of trout, catch and release is not allowed. If you do not wish to keep your fish, please offer them to someone else.
• Culling of fish (keeping only the big ones) is against competition rules.
• Please do not attempt to “make a winner” by giving all your unit’s big fish to one Scout.
• Random stomach content checks could occur at weigh-in, so “rock stuffing” is not encouraged. This is both unethical and unfair to the other fishermen.
• Once you catch your five fish, you must stop fishing and take them to be weighed at the boathouse weigh station. Remember, fresh fish weigh more than stale fish, so weigh as you go.
• All catches must be reported at the weigh-in station to help maintain proper fishing habitat in the lake. 
• Fish must be cleaned only in the designated area beside the boating area. 

Overnight Camping Information

Camping is available for Friday night at camp, you will provide your own camping equipment. We have adirondack shelters available in the campsites for anyone wishing to use them! Please contact our council office to reserve your spot in an adirondack for an additional fee. 

Overnight camping is encouraged for Saturday night. Anyone wishing to camp Saturday night must complete and submit a Facility Use Form and notify the event coordinators in advance. Facility use form in Attachments.

Campmasters (volunteers who help run weekend programs) will be on-site to assist your group in selecting a campsite; however, all sites are first come, first serve.

Overnight Camping Rules

• Please encourage your Scouts to use the buddy system at all times.
• No parking in campsites and absolutely no littering is allowed.
• No alcohol or fireworks are permitted.
• Please do not construct new fire rings. Fires must be attended at all times.
• Cub Scout parents and guardians may share a tent with their family, but all other youth and adults must tent separately. Youth sharing tents must be no more than 2 years apart in age.
• Follow Leave No Trace principles in our campsites and throughout camp. 

Sample Packing List

Running water and toilet facilities will be available.

• BSA Health Forms for all participants, parts A and B completed
• 3 changes of clothing (remember, camp can be cold at night)
• Rain gear
• 2 pair of shoes and extra socks
• Tent, sleeping bag, and trail pad
• Flashlight
• Personal toiletries
• Fishing gear
• Cooking equipment and food (the event only provides lunch on Saturday)
• Consider bringing supplies to fry ‘em up!

COVID-19 Guidelines for the Reservation will be followed and strictly enforced. The camp session starts best with healthy Scouts, with good health that begins at home. 

Learn about online registration system