2014 Fall Camporee

GREAT ALASKA COUNCIL

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

LEADERS GUIDE

Who: Scouts and Leaders from Eklutna, Denali, Bear Paw, & Tustumena Districts

What:Spend a weekend of fellowship and developing Scout skills (and competition, of course).

When:August 30-September 1, 2014 Saturday-Monday)

Where: Spencer Glacier. Meet at the Portage Railroad Station and ride the Alaska Railroad.

Why:Because we’re Boy Scouts!

Contact Information:

Volunteer Point of Contact: Staff AdvisorBen Fish, Eklutna District Camping ChairEd Bos, Bear Paw @scouting.org(907-952-0117)(907)444-5679

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO UNIT LEADERS

Please register with the Council Office by August 23. This camporee requires coordination with the Alaska Railroad and the Forest Service and we need to know how many people will be attending in advance.

Scouts will not board the train in Anchorage. All troops will board and depart the train at the Portage Station.

The Alaska Railroad has offered a special rate of $35. Troops are to purchase tickets directly from the Alaska Railroad; let the ticket office know that this is for the Boy Scout trip. (Normal rates for over eleven years is $70 so this is a very good deal)

Saturday, August 30, all troops must be at the Portage Station by 12:15 p.m. The train will arrive at the Portage Station at 1:15 p.m. and depart the station at 1:25 p.m. for a 20 minute ride to the Spencer Whistlestop. We will have 10 minutes to load and we must be prepared to load Scouts and gear quickly.

Monday, September 1, all troops and equipment must be at the loading station by 4:00 p.m. The train will arrive at the Spencer Whistlestop at 4:30 p.m. and depart at 4:40 p.m. for a 35 minute ride back to the Portage Station. We will have 10 minutes to load and we must be prepared to load Scouts and gear quickly.

Pack Light and pack tight. Please ensure that your Scouts are packed more for backpacking than for car camping. We need to make sure that the loading of the train proceeds quickly. There will be a ¾ mile hike from the train to the campsite.

FUEL: DO NOT BRING FUEL. Federal regulations require the fuel to travel separately. The Council will buy fuel and it will be transported separately. The cost of the fuel will be collected with the registration fee.You will have your choice of two types of fuel: the 16 ounce green propane bottles or the small gas canisters that connect to backpacking stoves. NO WHITE GAS!!! When you register for the camporee select the fuel your unit will require. If you have questions, please email Ed Bos or Ben Fish and let them know. Fuel cost is calculated upon registration and paid with your registration.

FOOD: This is bear country. Troops should be packing their food in bear canisters or in a Yeti Cooler. Air Horns and bear spray are recommended.

HUMAN WASTE: The outhouses at Spencer are not able to accommodate a large group. We will be using environmental toilets with the personal use toilet in a bag waste kits. Toilet bags will be provided and the cost included in the camporee fee. Bring toilet tissue.

WATER: Bring water purification filters/pills and 2 full canteens. There is a hand crank well with potable water a half mile from the camp. However, it may not have sufficient capacity to meet demand, expect to practice your water purification skills at some point.

Scouts will have over two days to explore the area and visit Spencer Glacier. In order to minimize conflicts with other visitors, the trail to Spencer Glacier, Lake and the Overlook will be off limits to Scouts between 2:00 and 4:30 p.m. all three days. We will have plenty of other activities to occupy the Scouts during those times

Cellular Service is unreliable.

There are few trees. There will not be any firewood. Plan to cook on stoves.

No bicycles or pets.

There will be a $20 fee per person to cover the cost of activities, patches, and toilet waste kits.

Schedule of Events

Saturday Schedule

12:15 p.m.Arrive at Potter Station

1:15 p.m.Board Train

1:45 p.m.Arrive Spencer Whistlestop and Unload.

2:00-3:30 p.m.Camp Set up and Registration

3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Free time

5:30-7:00 p.m.Dinner and Clean up

7:00-8:00 p.m.Forest Service Wildlife Talk

10:30 p.m.Taps/Lights Out

Sunday Schedule

7:00 a.m.Reveille

7:00-8:30 a.m.Breakfast & Clean up

8:30 - 9:00 a.m.Sunday Vespers

9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.Hiking to Glacier and other locations

Noon Lunch

2:00-4:15 p.m.Geocache (or compass) Competition (Bring your tools)

4:15 - 5:30 p.m.Camp Stove Chef Competition

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.Dinner and Cleanup

7:30 – 8:45 p.m.Campfire and Awards Ceremony

10:30 p.m.Taps/Lights Out

Monday Schedule

7:00Reveille

7:00 - 8:30 a.m.Breakfast & Clean up

8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Break Camp and move gear to Whistlestop.

9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Hiking to Glacier and other locations

4:00 p.m.Assemble at Whistlestop

4:30 p.m.Board Train

5:15 p.m.Arrive at Portage

Program

  1. Explore Spencer Glacier and lake.
  2. Camp Stove Chef Competition.
  3. Orienteering/Geocaching competition.
  4. Hiking Trails.
  5. Scavenger hunt.
  6. Presentations by Forest Service Personnel.
  7. Leave No Trace Awareness Training.

There are also two companies which offer a variety of activities including rafting down the Placer River, canoeing on Portage Lake, and hikes on the glacier. Troops should contact the companies directly.

Ascending Path Tours

Chugach Adventures

General Camporee Rules
  1. All Boy Scout units must have at least 2 adult leaders (SM, ASM, or other registered trained adults) present at all times during the Camporee.
  2. All troops must register/check-in at the Camporee Headquarters upon arrival. In order to register/check-in you must provide:
  • A copy of Patrol/Troop roster(s),
  • A copy of your BSA Local Tour Plan,
  • Medical forms for all Scouts.
  1. The unit leaders are responsible for the conduct of their Scouts at all times.
  2. Safety – All travel and Camporee activities are to be conducted according to Guide for Safe Scouting. Each Troop must have a suitable first aid kit in camp in a readily accessible and visible location.
  3. Campsite selection is on a first come first served basis.
  4. Garbage – Each troop must carry all unburned garbage away upon leaving the Camporee. DO NOT BURY GARBAGE OF ANY KIND.
  5. Cutting of live trees is prohibited.

Version dated 7/16/141