This summer we will be reviving our annual troop week at Yawgoog, the summer camp we had attended every year for a long time, up until 1995. In that year, most of our summer-camping scouts attended the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and it has taken us a few years to resume the Yawgoog tradition. Here are some important details:

The Yawgoog Experience - The Yawgoog Scout Reservation is one of the oldest, largest and finest Boy Scout camps in the northeast and compares very favorably with the best private summer camps. It is located on the border of Rhode Island and Connecticut near I-95, about a 1 hour and 15 minute drive from Weston. As you can see on the attached map, it comprises about 1800 acres (about 1/6 the size of Weston) and completely surrounds a large, beautiful lake. The boys sleep on bunk beds in large, open wall tents pitched on wooden platforms, each of which accommodates 4-6 boys. Meals are served in a large dining hall. Although the boys take turns during the week serving as waiter for the troop, they do not have to do their own cooking or most of the other daily chores associated with weekend camping trips. The boys get cleaned up and wear their uniform shirts at dinner, but otherwise are mostly free to wear what they want during the day. Most boys bring a duffel bag or small trunk rather than a backpack, but relatively little gear is necessary beyond clothing, rain gear, a flashlight and a sleeping bag or bedroll.

Facilities - Yawgoog has an incredible wealth of outdoor-oriented facilities. On the lake, boys are offered swimming, canoeing, sailing, rowing and fishing. On land, Yawgoog has a ropes course, mountain biking, rifle range, shotgun range, archery range, nature center, crafts center, and a "trading post" offering a wide variety of snack foods and Boy Scout paraphernalia. There are also some large open fields where boys sometimes organize pick-up games of baseball, touch football, etc. Most of the hanging-out and goofing around happens within the troop's campsite before and after meals, and during the evening. There is a big picnic and dress parade on Sunday.

Merit Badges - 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 don't, it is really an outstanding opportunity to earn a lot of badges quickly and easily. Most boys earn 2 or 3 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.

Cost - The basic fee for the week is $180.00. In addition, most boys bring with them $40 or $50 for snacks, craft supplies and sundries. An 8 x 10 copy of the official troop photo is available for $5.00, payable at camp. A non-refundable deposit of $25.00 is due now and the balance of $155.00 will be due in early-July from those planning to attend.

Health Form - A completed Boy Scout health form (Acrobat file) signed by Scout, parent, and doctor within the year prior to attending is required on the first day of camp. The Boy Scouts insist on having their own form completely filled out prior to check-in and will not accept substitutes, even from the adult leaders. A copy of this two-sided form is attached so that you may schedule a physical exam and begin jousting with your family doctor over this form.

Please call Mr. Sallay at 235-7089 to let him know whether or not you plan to attend Yawgoog this summer, or if you have any questions. A few adult leader slots may be available for part or all of the week; please ask. Then send a $25.00 deposit check payable to "Boy Scout Troop 157" to Mrs. Wright at 15 Linden Circle, Weston, MA 02193 by April 10. And don't forget to schedule your physical exam if you have not had one since last August.