Summer Camps 2013
 
Troop 55 and Crew 55 will sponsor at least eight summer camp adventures in 2013.  Some scouts will also attend leadership camps.

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

Camp	Location	Dates	Program	Target Age	Cost
Philmont    Scout    Ranch	New Mexico	June 14   - Jun 27	Backpacking    trek	14+	$1,550    (est)
Buffalo Trail    Scout    Ranch	Texas, in the    Davis Mountains	June 16-22	Merit badge    camp plus    mid adventure	11+	$ 700    (est)
Buffalo River    Canoe    Trip	Arkansas, in the    northwest	June 22-30	Canoe trek	14+	$ 600    (est)
Galveston    Sea    Base	Texas	June 24-29	Sailing and   sea kayaking	13+	$ 600    (est)
Colorado    River    Canoe	Texas	July 12-15	Canoeing	12+	$ 70    (est)
National    Jamboree	West Virginia	July 12-24	Part of SHAC    contingent to    Jamboree	12+	$2,150    (est)
Florida    Sea    Base	Florida, near    Key West	July 17-24	Scuba	14+ (full)	$1,500    (est)
Blue Ridge    Scout    Reservation	Virginia, near    Roanoke	July 20-27	Merit badge    camp plus    mid adventure	11+	$1,000    (est)
Bolivia and    Patagonia	Bolivia and    Chile	July 20 to    Aug 5	Service project    plus    backpacking	13+	$2,300 to    $2,500
Glacier   National    Park	Montana	July 27 to    Aug 3	High-level    backpacking	15+	$1,500    (est)

Merit Badge Camps

June 16 - 22,  Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch in the Davis Mountains of west Texas
The base camp at BTSR is a traditional merit badge camp.  Cavalry and Cavalcade programs are also available (see below).  The camp offers an 40+ merit badges, most of which are outdoor oriented.  The camp has activities for advancement to Second and First Class.
The camp also offers mid-level adventure programs based on horsemanship (see below).
The group will travel to and from the camp via chartered bus or train.
Cost:  about$700.    Deposit:  $100.
Adult coordinator:  John Walker.
Camp website:  Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch   (BSA Buffalo Trail Council website)
To register for this camp:  Doubleknot   (T-55's online reservation system.)

July 20 - 27,  Blue Ridge Scout Reservation in the mountains of southwestern Virginia near Roanoke
Blue Ridge offers several programs.  The camp has an excellent merit badge and FCT programs targeted for younger scouts at the Powhatan site.  For older scouts, the camp offers backpacking, white sports, mountain man and other activities (see below).  The group will fly to either NC or VA and then travel to and from the camp via chartered bus.
Cost:  about $1,000.    Deposit:  $100.
Adult coordinator:  Robert Lombardi.
Camp website:  Blue Ridge   (BSA Blue Ridge Mountains Council website)
To register for this camp:  Doubleknot   (T-55's online reservation system.)

Mid-level Adventure Programs

June 16 - 22,  Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch in west Texas
In addition to the merit badge camp described above, BTSR offers Cavalry and Cavalcade programs.  The Cavalry group will learn horsemanship and ranching activities.  The Cavalcade group will do a multiday trek on horseback.
The group will travel with the merit badge group to the camp via chartered bus or train.
Cost:  about $700.    Deposit:  $100.
Age requirement:  at least 13 yrs old by time of camp.
For registration and other info, see BTSR above.

June 24-29,  Galveston Sea Base
This is a sailing camp run by the Bay Area Council in Galveston.  The group will rotate through small and medium boat sailing and sea kayaking.  No prior sailing or kayaking experience necessary.  We have reservations for two crews.  Each crew can have 4 scouts and 2 adults.  Thus, we have spots for a total of 8 scouts and 4 adults.
Cost:  about $600.    Deposit:  $100.
Age requirement:  at least 13 yrs old by June 24, 2013.
Camp website:  Galveston Sea Base  (BSA Bay Area Council website)
To register for this camp:  contact Tre Fischer, the adult coordinator for this camp.

July 12 - 16,  Colorado River Canoeing in the Texas Hill Country
This is a short, low cost canoe trip on a beautiful portion of the river northwest of Austin.  The group will travel by van and be on the water for 2-1/2 days.
Cost:  about $ 70.
Age requirement:  12+ at time of trip.
To register for this camp:  contact Karl Dahm, the adult coordinator for this trip.

July 20 - 27,  Blue Ridge Scout Reservation in southwestern Virginia
In addition to the merit badge camp described above, Blue Ridge offers water sports at the Claytor Lakes Aquatics Base, backpacking on the High Knoll Trail, and Mountain Man Camp.
The group will travel with the merit badge group to the camp.
Cost:  about $1,000.    Deposit:  $100.
Age requirement:  12.5, 13 or 14 at time of camp, depending on activities.
For registration and other info, see Blue Ridge above.

High Adventure Programs

June 14 - June 27,  Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico
Philmont is located in the mountains of northern New Mexico.  The group will fly to Albuquerque and do a rafting trip near Taos on the initial day.  After a day and night at Philmont's base camp, the group will do a 12-day backpacking trek covering at least 50 miles.  This group is limited to a single crew of up to 12 participants, including 2 or 3 adults.  This adventure is being sponsored jointly with Crew 55.
Cost:  $1,550.
Initial deposit:  $400.   Final payment:  Due by Mar 15.
Age requirement:  completed 8th grade or at least 14 yrs old by time of camp.
Adult coordinator:  James Cauble.
Camp website:  Philmont Scout Ranch   (Philmont website)
To register for this camp:  click HERE for the registration form.

June 22 - 30,  Buffalo River Canoe Trip, Jasper, Arkansas
Week long canoe trip guided by the Westark Area Council on the Buffalo National River in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas.
Cost:  $600, subject to adjustment.
Initial deposit:  $200.   Final payment:  Due by Apr 1.
Age requirement:  completed 8th grade or at least 14 yrs old by time of trip.
To register for this camp:  contact Mark Parenti or Valerie McNeel, the adult coordinators.

July 17 - 22,  Florida Sea Base
Located in the Florida Keys, this base offers a variety of water activities.  The group will have 5 or 6 days of scuba from dive boats and will sleep in a dormitory.  This group is limited to 8 participants (6 scouts and 2 adults).
Cost:  $1,500, subject to adjustment based on actual cost of airfare.
Initial deposit:  $1,000 (to purchase airfare).   Final payment:  Due by Apr 2.
Age requirement:  completed 8th grade or at least 14 yrs old by time of camp.  Participants must also be Scuba certified and have earned Scuba MB.
Camp website:  Florida Sea Base   (Sea Base website)
To register for this camp:  contact Sue Lombardi, the adult coordinator for this trip.  The group is currently full, but you can join the waiting list.

July 20 to August 5,  Bolivia and Patagonia Service Adventure
The group will fly to Bolivia and do a service project for the Amistad Mission.  The group will then fly to Chile and do a winter backpacking trek in Patagonia.  This trip is being done in conjunction with SJD's youth mission program.
Cost:  $2,300 to $2,500.
Age requirement:  13+ and Star and mature.
To register for this camp:  contact Charles Williams, the adult coordinator.

July 27 to August 3,  Backpacking in Glacier National Park
This group will do a high-level, difficult backpacking trek in Glacier National Park in Montana. Cost:  $1,500, subject to adjustment based on actual cost of airfare.
Age requirement:  completed 9th grade and previous completed trek at Philmont or similar backpacking experience.
To register for this camp:  contact either Ross Spence or Vernon Jones, the adult coordinators.

Leadership camps

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) - June 9-14 and June 17-22
Held at Camp Strake.  Two separate one-week sessions.
Contact Charles Williams, Bill Helfand or Dick Yale 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.

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

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 September and October for the following year.
• Suggestions are welcome and should be sent to Bill Helfand or Ken Alexander.

Previous summers . . .

2012
Florida Sea Base - June 10-16
El Rancho Cima, Texas - June 17 - 23
Galveston Sea Base - June 18 - 23
Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico - Jun 19 - Jul 2
Alaska whitewater trip - Jul 4 - 11
Camp Morrison and Camp Cullimore, Idaho - July 9-14
Lost Pines, Bastrop, Texas - July 10 - 16
Gorham & Pecos Wilderness, near Chimayo, New Mexico - July 21-28

2011
Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico - June 8 - 21
Blue Ridge Scout Reservation, Powhatan Camp, Virginia - Jun 26 - Jul 2
Lost Pines, Bastrop, Texas - July 10 - 16
Gorham & Pecos Wilderness, near Chimayo, New Mexico - July 23 - 30
Northern Tier Canoe Base, Atikokan, Ontario - July 23 - 31

2010
El Rancho Cima, Texas - June 20 - 26
Rio Grand River, near Big Bend, Texas - July 12 - 18
Gorham Scout Ranch, near Chimayo, New Mexico - July 18 - 24
National Jamboree, Virginia - July 23 - August 3
Camp Parsons, Washington - July 24 - August 1

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, Powhatan 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
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