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Summer Camps 2010

Troop 55 and Crew 55 are sponsoring for four summer camps in 2010.  In addition, a large group of our scouts will be attending the U.S. National Scout Jamboree.  Some scouts will also attend leadership camps.

The four camps sponsored by Troop 55 and Crew 55 are as follows (details below):

Camp Location Dates Program Target
Age		 Cost
El Rancho
   Cima		 Texas, near
   Wimberly		 June 20-26 Merit badge
   camp		 11+ $ 400
Boquillas
   Canyon		 Texas, Rio
   Grande River		 July 12-18 Canoe trip 12+ $ 375
Camp
   Gorham
(Camp Frank
   Rand)		 New Mexico,
   near Chimayo		 July 18-24 Merit badge,
   camp
Entry-level
   backpacking
Advanced
   backpacking		 11 - 13
 
12 - 14
 
13 - 17
 		 $1,100
 
$1,100
 
$1,100
 
Camp
  Sheppard		 Washington,
   near Seattle
   & Mt. Rainier		 July 24
  - Aug 1		 Entry-level
mountaineering
Climb
   Mt. Rainier		 13-15
 
16+ 
 		 $1,000
   est
$1,000
   est

Merit Badge Camps

June 20 - 26,  El Rancho Cima in the Texas Hill Country near Wimberly
This is a traditional merit badge camp on the banks of the Blanco River.  The camp offers an excellent selection of aquatic, nature, craft, and shooting merit badges.  The camp also offers activities for advancement to Second and First Class.
The group will travel to and from the camp via chartered bus.
Cost:  $400.    Deposit:  $100.
Adult coordinator:  Greg Hasley.
Camp website:  El Rancho Cima   (BSA Sam Houston Area Council website)
To register for this camp:  signmeup.com/67634 online reservation system.

July 17 - 24,  Camp Gorham in New Mexico (previously named Camp Frank Rand)
This camp is located in north central New Mexico, north of Santa Fe and near Chimayo.
As one of three programs at this camp (see below for others), the younger scouts can stay in the base camp and take traditional merit badge classes.
Transportation options are still being reviewed, but the group will probably fly to Albuquerque and then take a bus to the camp.
Cost:  about $1,100.00.    Deposit:  $100.00
Adult coordinator:  Charles Williams.
Camp website:  Camp Gorham   (BSA Great Southwest Council website)
To register for this camp:  signmeup.com/67634 online reservation system.

High Adventure Programs

Jul 12 - 18,  Boquillas Canyon Canoe Trip
Located within Big Bend National Park, Boquillas Canyon is about 20 miles long and is the easternmost of the 3 main narrow sections along the Rio Grande.  The group will travel by car to the Big Bend area, and then do a multi-day canoe trip down the Rio Grande through this scenic canyon.
Cost:  about $375.    Deposit:  $100.00
Adult coordinator:  Janice Walden.
Camp website:  Boquillas Canyon   (National Park Service website)
To register for this camp:  signmeup.com/67634 online reservation system.

July 17 - 24,  Camp Gorham in New Mexico (previously named Camp Frank Rand)
This camp is located in north central New Mexico, north of Santa Fe and near Chimayo.
The camp is in the Sangre de Christo Mountains which offers beautiful views along the hiking trails.  In addition to the merit badge program offered to those scouts who stay in the base camp area (see above), two backpacking programs are planned.
     The walk-about program provides a good introduction to backpacking.  After the initial day of instructions, the walk-about group will spend four days on a moderate backpacking trek near the scout camp.  The walk-about trek is targeted for scouts who are 12-14 years old and who have limited prior backpacking experience.
     For older scouts, an advanced backpacking trek is planned.  This trek is for scouts 13 and up who have some prior backpacking experience.  This backpacking trek will be in the nearby mountains of the Pecos Wilderness Area and will likely cover 20-30 miles during the 5 days on the trail.
     Before returning to Houston, the group will probably do a whitewater rafting trip.  Transportation options are still being reviewed, but the group will probably fly to Albuquerque and then take a bus to the camp.
Cost:  about $1,100.00.    Deposit:  $100.00
Adult coordinator:  Charles Williams.
Camp website:  Camp Gorham   (BSA Great Southwest Council website)
To register for this camp:  signmeup.com/67634 online reservation system.

July 24 - Aug 1,  Camp Sheppard and Mt. Rainier
This camp is located south of Seattle, Washington, and on the north slope of Mt. Rainier.  Two programs are planned.
     The Tri-Trek Program is targeted for scouts 13-15 years old.  The scouts stay in cabins at the camp, and they go out each day for a different activity.  The choice of activities will be decided later by the participants, but the activities will likely include introductory mountaineering on Mt. Rainier's glaciers, mountain biking, and rock climbing.
Additional information is located on the Crew 55 website at this link:  Tri-Trek Program.
     The older scouts plan to climb Mt. Rainier which is 14,410 ft.  This trek is restricted to scouts who are at least 16 years old, and the trek will involve four nights of camping on snow or glaciers.  The group will learn advanced mountaineering skills such as ice climbing, ice repelling, use of ice axe for self-rescue, and roped climbing.
Additional information is located on the Crew 55 website at this link:  Mt. Rainier Climb.
     Both group will travel together to the Seattle airport and then bus to the camp.  At the end of the week, both groups will be together for two days of sightseeing and activities in Seattle.
Cost:  about $1,000.00.    Deposit:  $400.00
Adult coordinators:  Ross Spence and James Cauble.
To register for this camp:  please download and complete the registration form at this link: Registration Form.  This camp is not part of Troop 55's online registration system.

Leadership camps

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) - June 6-11 and June 14-19
Held at Camp Strake.  Two separate one-week sessions.
Contact Charles Williams, Zig Werlla, Dick Yale or James Cauble for more information.
For registration form, click here.

National Advance Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) - June and July
Conducted at Philmont Scout Ranch.  Six separate one-week sessions.
This advanced leadership course includes a short backpacking trek.
Open to scouts who have completed the NYLT course.
Contact Charles Williams for more information.
Click here for NAYLE info.

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Summer Camp Inspiration
Go to the Media Room to view photos and video of past Summer campouts - media room >

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General policy for summer camps in future years:
• Troop 55 usually arranges three levels of camps in June, and three levels of camps in July/August. The three levels are:
(a) merit badge camp (open to all scouts),
(b) mid-level adventure camp (targeted to scouts who are 12-14), and
(c) high adventure camp (usually restricted to scouts who are 14 & over), which may be arranged jointly with Crew 55.
• The camps are usually selected in October and November for the following year.
• Suggestions are welcome and should be sent to Ken Alexander.

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Previous summers . . .

2009
Buffalo Trail in West Texas - June 15 - 21
Norwegian  trek & National Jamboree - June 27 - July 12
Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico - June 30 - Jul 13
Blue Ridge Scout Reservation, Powhaton Camp, Virginia - July 4 - 11
Big Bend Canoe Trip, Texas - July 13 - 19
Montana High Adventure Base (MOHAB) - July 16 - 23

2008
Sailing High Adventure, Galveston to Freeport - June 6 - 9
"Hut Hiking" trek in the Swiss Alps - June 14 - 27
El Rancho Cima, Texas - June 15 - 21, 2008
Philmont Backpacking Treks - June 27 - July 10
Camp Alexander, Lake George, Colorado - July 6 - 12
Montana High Adventure Base - July 26 - August 2

2007
Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico- June 10 - 23
Camp Morrison and Camp Cullimore, Idaho - June 16-23  view photos
Hale Scout Reservation, Oklahoma - July 1 - 7
Salmon River High Adventure Base, Idaho - July 15 - 23

2006
Chimayo Scout Reservation, New Mexico - June 10 - 17
Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch, Texas - June 18 - 24
Camp Loll, Wyoming - June 30 - July 8
Alaska advanced backpacking trek - June 30 - July 12 (Pictures) (Video)
Colorado advanced backpacking & mountain climbing trek - July 15-29
Montana backpacking trek - July 28 to August 6
Ecuador, South America - July 7 - 22
Grand Teton advanced backpacking trek, Wyoming - August 4 - 12

2005
Chimayo Scout Reservation, New Mexico - June 11-18
El Rancho Cima, Texas - June 19-25
Nantahala Outdoor Center, North Carolina - June 26 - July 2
Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico - June 28 - July 11 (one crew)
Camp Parsons, Seattle, Washington - July 3-11
Montana High Adventure Trip, Montana - July 8-17
Ecuador, South America - July 16-31
National Jamboree, Virginia - July 22 - Aug 3 (19 scouts attended)
Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico - July 22 - Aug 4 (three crews)

2004
Worth Scout Ranch, Texas - June 13-19
Brazos River Canoe Trip, Texas - June 13-19
Double H Ranch, New Mexico - June 22-30
Camps Morrison & Cullimore, Idaho - July 11-17
Salmon River High Adventure Base, Idaho - July 11-20
Ecuador, South America - July 17 - Aug 1
Matagamon High Adventure Base, Maine - Aug 2-11

2003
El Rancho Cima, Texas - June 22-28
Packard High Adventure Base, Colorado - July 13-19
Nantahala Outdoor Center, North Carolina - July 21-27
Blue Ridge Scout Reservation , Virginia - July 27-August 2

2002
Chimayo Scout Reservation, New Mexico - June 23-30
Yoho Valley in British Columbia, Canada - July 5-11
Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico - July 13-25 and July 29-Aug 12
Yellowstone & Camp Loll, Wyoming - August 2-10
Teton Crest Trail, Wyoming - August 2-8 (near Yellowstone)

2001
Nantahala Outdoor Center, North Carolina - June 2-6 (kayaking)
Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico - June 13-25 (two crews)
El Rancho Cima, Texas - June 24-30
Texas Sea Base, Texas - July 8-14
El Rancho Cima, Texas - July 8-14 (2nd session)
Chimayo Scout Reservation, New Mexico - July 8-15
BSA National Jamboree, Virginia - July 20-Aug 1
Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico - July 21-Aug 2 (three crews)
Matagamon Canoe Base, Maine - July 25-Aug 5