Know Your Knots: To enter the Dining Hall, the following knots must be presented, one per meal, beginning Monday at lunch: Square, Two Half Hitches, Slip, Sheet Bend, Timber Hitch, Clove Hitch, Bowline, Stevedor's, Fisherman's, Lark's Head, Figure Eight, Sheepshank, and the Taut-line Hitch. Rope is worn on the belt and is provided once by the Troop at a weekly meeting before camp.
Medical Forms: BSA requires medical forms (also available on the camping page) to be filled out by all participants. These forms must be on file with Troop 526 in order for you to attend any Scouting activity. The Boy Scouts of America promotes a healthy, active lifestyle by requiring its participants to be in good physical condition, and provides more adventurous opportunities when camping which demand good fitness. The latest parts to the Annual Health and Medical Record can additionally always be found on Scouting.org/HealthandSafety.
Merit Badges and Prerequisites: Scouts may choose their merit badge classes for the week, though priority is often given to older scouts with higher rank if certain classes are full. Registration is made through the Advancement Chair in the Spring. Depending on your choice, you may have prerequisites to complete. These items must be completed prior to attending camp. The Scoutmaster will provide a slip to be signed by himself and the scout, acknowledging that the prerequisite has been completed. If applicable, the requirement may be brought to camp to show to a merit badge counselor. Please consult the downloadable information (and Merit Badge schedule inside) below for more details.
Packing: Camping at Seven Ranges takes place on cots in canvas tents on wood platforms. Everyone attending — Scouts and Scouters alike — brings one tote (foot locker) to store the week's worth of clothing and supplies. A roll-up mattress, pillow, and sleeping bag are highly encouraged, though in warmer weather campers may choose to use bed sheets instead. Every Scout is asked, if possible, to purchase the same $25 Sterilite Foot Locker for ease of packing our trailer. A complete packing checklist developed by Troop 526 is available, and you can speak with the Troop Quartermaster or other leaders for additional suggestions. You can also check out the Troop Handbook's "Appendix A" for ideas and an older packing list.
Parents: Parents are welcome to visit their son and the Troop during his stay. Some choose to spend part or the entirety of the week, and others visit for an afternoon or dinner. Families are welcome to stay from check-in through Sunday evening's campfire. Adults staying overnight are required to be registered with the Boy Scouts of America and must also have completed medical forms. Note: Parents seeking to earn the Pipestone award must spend four full days and three full nights at Seven Ranges.
Payment: Camp fees for Seven Ranges must be paid several months in advance, typically at the end of April. Costs begin at $285 for Scouts; adults pay for each meal they attend, or $115 for the week. A discount is offered to the Troop if payment is made several months ahead of time, and scouts may use funds from their Scout Account to pay for camp. (It is often possible to pay for the entirety of camp this way if a Scout fully participates in Troop 526's fundraising efforts throughout the year). If your family is not able to pay the whole cost of Summer Camp, Troop 526 can assist you with a special Campership fund to ensure every scout is able to attend. Please contact the Troop Treasurer for more information. More detailed information regarding 2014 fees may be found through the Buckeye Council.
Pipestone Wood: First through fourth-year Pipestone candidates must prepare a cubic foot of Pipestone wood. No wider than your thumb nor smaller than your pinky, each stick must also be straight, relatively free of knots and barkless. Bark can only be removed naturally (such as hand-peeling or rubbing, or soaking in water) and not by knife. Lengths must be 12" with ends broken or chopped, but not sawed. Pine is not accepted. Please tie your bundle with twine or some other natural fiber. The SPL will review each bundle at a weekly meeting before camp begins. Scouts often bring less wood than required; please be sure to measure a cubic foot and not simply the diameter of the bundle. For information on the rest of the requirements needed for the Pipestone Camp Honor, please consult the 2014 Leader's Guide.
Checking In: Troop 526 carries everyone's totes to and from the Magic Mountain campsite. Please arrive at the Scout Building on the Saturday before departure to assist the Troop Quartermaster in packing efforts. We'll depart individually on Sunday morning and meet at Seven Ranges at 1:15pm for Check-In. No one is permitted on the reservation until then.
