TROOP 157
YAWGOOG SUMMER CAMP
Rockville, Rhode Island
August 13-20, 2000
This provides the information that will need to
get ready for our week at Yawgoog, and is also intended to remind you that now
is the time to:
Mail your check for the $158.00 camp fee balance to Mrs. Wright (see below).
If you havent already done so, get your doctor to complete the BSA health form that was attached to the April handout. Another copy is attached to this handout in case you lost that one. The camp insists on having the completed form at the time of check-in and will not accept any other forms or doctors letters.
This year we will be staying in Camp Sandy Beach
at the George Washington campsite, which is near Yawgoog Pond just up Camp
Yawgoog Road from Metcalf Lodge dining hall.
We have been trying to talk our way back into the Netop site, but with
no luck so far. If our assigned campsite changes between now
and August you will be called with that information.
General
Information
In addition to this brief memo, I have attached
a few pages from the Yawgoog Leaders Manual to guide your preparation. This
includes descriptions of the various facilities and services (food, medical,
religious, and so forth), a list of merit badges offered, the daily schedules,
and a map. I am happy to answer any
other questions, or you can check out Yawgoogs website:
http://www.yawgoog.org
The mailing address and telephone number of the
camp is:
Yawgoog
Scout Reservation
61
Camp Yawgoog Road
Rockville,
RI 02873
Phone:
(401) 539-2311
Fax:
(401) 539-0760
It is possible to mail a letter to Scout at camp
by adding the boys name and campsite name, week and troop (George Washington
Campsite, Camp Sandy Beach, Week 8, Troop 157) above this general address. It is not possible to telephone a Scout,
except in an emergency through the main number. Also, Scouts are not permitted to use the office phone at the
camp except in an emergency. Parents
are not permitted to visit during the week, except in case of an emergency,
unless they are one of the troop leaders registered with the camp.
Yawgoogs dining facilities are fairly basic,
but they are able to handle special dietary needs (e.g., kosher) if necessary
and must know in advance about serious food allergies (e.g., nuts, dairy
products). Please call Mr. Sallay at
least two weeks before camp starts if we need to make any special arrangements.
What
to Bring
A packing list is attached, to guide your
preparation. Since it is possible to
drive a car pretty close to our site and we dont hike around once we are
there, most boys pack their gear in a large duffel bag (or small camp
trunk). Uniforms -- a Scout shirt, official
green shorts, and a troop neckerchief with slide -- are worn to supper each
day and for the parade on Sunday. While
we do not usually wear the regulation pants/shorts, the shorts will be required
for camp and can be purchased at the Scout Shop in Framingham if you do not
already own a pair. Official Scout
socks and web belt will not be required, but would look sharp if youre in the
mood. One uniform shirt, shorts and
neckerchief should suffice for the week if taken good care of.
Spending money is discretionary, but its
somewhat important since some merit badges require supplies that must be
purchased and, of course, all of the boys appreciate buying a snack once in a
while at the trading post. Most boys
bring $40 or $50 for snacks, craft supplies and sundries. Also, an 8x10 copy of the official troop
photo is available for $7.50, payable in cash at camp on Sunday evening when
you arrive.
Once again, please do not forget your medical
form!
Advancement
Most boys sign up to earn merit badges during
the morning and early-afternoon activity periods. A list of the badges offered at Yawgoog is attached. Although it is not required that the boys
work on badges during the week, and some boys dont, it is really an
outstanding opportunity to earn a lot of badges quickly and easily. Most boys earn 2 or 3 badges during the week
and it is possible to earn more. In
particular, a week at Yawgoog is a great opportunity to earn the
Environmental Science, Swimming and Lifesaving badges required for Eagle, which
are somewhat difficult to earn otherwise.
Scouts planning to work on either Swimming or
Lifesaving must bring a long sleeved button-down shirt and a pair of
long pants that are not sweat pants (i.e., must have a button/snap at the waist
and a zipper fly) for use in the water survival requirements.
A few of the badges offered at Yawgoog have
pre-requisites that must be completed at home, with a note attesting to their
completion (signed by the Scoutmaster, Mr. Lee) brought to the counsellor at
Yawgoog. Merit badges in this category
include Nature (requirement #5), Fish & Wildlife (requirement #5), Geology
(requirement #2), Reptile and Amphibian Study (requirement #8) and Camping
(requirements #7c&d, #8 and #9).
Note that the 7 days and nights spent at Yawgoog count toward the 20
days and nights of camping in requirement #9.
Adult
Coverage
We as a troop must provide our own two-deep
adult leadership during the entire week in order to attend Yawgoog and we still
need several adults to help cover the week.
Please call Mr. Sallay as soon as possible if you can help. There is no charge for adult leaders. The most likely need will be the middle of
the week, a period of time that is actually quite relaxing and a lot of
fun. We must get the entire week
covered in order to attend. This is
very important.
Driving
Instructions
Take Route 128 South to I-95 South. Follow I-95 through Providence to Exit 3B,
Rhode Island Route 138 West. This point is about 65 miles from Weston, almost
at the Connecticut border. Follow Route
138 through the first traffic light. At
the second light (blinking yellow) take a right to continue on Route 138. Follow Route 138 until you see the sign for
Yawgoog on your left, at Camp Yawgoog Road.
It is approximately 4 miles from Exit 3B to this left turn off of Route
138. Follow this narrow road about a
half mile to the Yawgoog gate. Just before
the large camp gate, take a right turn to continue on Camp Yawgoog Road. Follow this dirt road about a half mile,
past the archery and rifle ranges on your right and a large parking lot on your
left. At the Metcalf Lodge (the Sandy
Beach dining hall) continue going straight (east) and follow it about a quarter
mile to the George Washington site, which will be on your left, just before
Anthony Road. You might find the
attached map of Yawgoog helpful as you try to find our site. It will take you about 1 hour, 45 minutes to
get to Yawgoog from Weston.
Drop-off
and Pick-up
Plan to arrive shortly after 5:30 PM on Sunday,
August 13. Earlier arrivals will not be
allowed into the camp. There is no
evening meal served at camp on Sunday, so you should plan to bring a picnic
supper or stop to eat on the way. There
are few fast food restaurants (e.g., McDonalds) just as you get off I-95 at
Route 138.
On Sunday, August 20, there is a Chicken
Barbecue for all family members from 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM near the parade
grounds, just inside the main Yawgoog gate.
It is convenient, fun and inexpensive.
You will need to sign up for this barbecue by mailing the attached form
and payment to Yawgoog a few weeks before camp. (The Scouts will eat separately with the troop.) After you are finished eating, find a seat
at the edge of the parade ground, near the flagpole. You might want to bring a blanket to sit on. The Dress Parade starts at 12:30 and after
an hour or so of parading, formation, etc. the boys go back to the campsite,
where the family members go to meet them.
There we will have our own Court of Honor, where the boys receive the
merit badges and other awards they have earned during the week. After that we pack up and check out, at
about 2:30 or so.
Please
call Mr. Sallay at 235-7089 if you have any questions.
Send
a check for your remaining camp fee payable to Boy Scout Troop 157 to Mrs.
Wright at 15 Linden Circle, Weston, MA 02493 by June 30. Assuming that you sent in the $40.00 deposit
in March, you should now send in a check for $158.00. Of course, if you forgot about the deposit please send a check
for the entire $198.00 fee.
And
dont forget to schedule your physical exam if you have not had one since last
August.
TROOP 157
YAWGOOG SUMMER CAMP
Suggested Packing List
Clothing
and Bedding
Scout shirt
Scout shorts
Neckerchief and slide
Comfortable hiking shoes or boots
Sneakers
Extra shorts
One pair of long pants
Long pants (not sweat pants) and
long-sleeved
button-down
shirt
for Swimming MB
Generous supply of T-shirts
Wool sweater or Polar Fleece
Changes of underwear and socks
Handkerchiefs
Pajamas or other clothing to sleep in
Swim trunks
Rain jacket AND rain pants (NO ponchos)
Summer sleeping bag, or a
set
of sheets and blankets)
Pillow and pillow case
Mosquito net for bunk
4 dowel rods or sticks (~4 x 3/4)
to
hold up mosquito net
Other
Musts
Spending money ($40-50)
Flashlight and extra batteries
Notebook or pad of paper
2-3 pens
Merit badge pamphlets
3-4 wire coat hangers
Nylon rope/line (~50)
Small amount of duct tape (~10-25)
Small amount of twine (~10-25)
Map of Yawgoog (copy attached)
Compass
Pocket knife
Water bottle
Personal first aid kit
Personal prescription medicines
Whistle
Wrist watch
HEALTH
FORM, signed by
both parent and doctor
Toilet
Articles
Tooth brush and paste
Two bath towels
Wash cloth
Comb, mirror
Soap in a container
Shampoo
Optional
Items
BSA requirements book
Small knapsack or day pack
Camera and film
Envelopes and stamps
Repair kit (sewing items, tape, etc.)
A few trash bags, zip-lock bags
Fishing tackle
Snack food (cookies, candy)
Deck of cards
Sunglasses
Chapstick
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Add
Your Own Items Here
DO
NOT BRING
Radio, CD or tape player
Computer games
Skateboards or bikes
Fireworks
Sheath knife
Anything else that detracts from the
Scouting
experience....