Program Opportunities

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C.O.P.E .
C.O.P.E. stands for Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience. COPE consists of a series of obstacles and challenges designed to foster problem solving skills and group interaction. Seven key goals are developed:
LEADERSHIP

SELF ESTEEM

TEAMWORK

PROBLEM SOLVING

TRUST

COMMUNICATION

DECISION MAKING

Plus! FUN!

 
These goals are accomplished through obstacles and challenges to force the group to work together, communicate with each other, and trust the group decision as they attempt a solution to the obstacle. The COPE program generally consists of Initiative Games, Low Course, High Course, and Rappelling.

Going Through COPE

The C.O.P.E. Program is for scouts age 13 and older. The program is available to Scout Units, Explorer Posts, Venture Crews and other groups wishing to participate. All participants must have a medical form. Required clothing includes long pants, and soft-soled shoes. Project COPE provides every participant the opportunity for success as an individual and member of their group.

Initiative Games

The first part of the program is Initiative Games. Participants and Instructors do some stretching and exercising, and then some initiative games. Generally initiative games are group problem solving activities. Generally these activities are used to get everyone acquainted with each other, establish communication teamwork skills, and creative thinking. Many of these do not require spotting, but help prepare the group to spot each other in later activities. Willow in the wind, also sometimes known as the Trust Circle is used to gain trust in other group members and get more acquainted with spotting.

Spotting is integral to the program. Because many of the obstacles are elevated group members work together to spot each other to prevent falls and injury.

Low Course

The Low Course obstacles promote teamwork and problem solving. For each obstacle, the instructor will provide a scenario and some general instructions. Participants work together to complete the obstacle.

Some of the obstacles used on the low course are The Wild Woozie, Swinging Log, Spider Web, Trust Fall, and many others.

 

Climbing

Climb on Safely Climb On Safely is the Boy Scouts of America's recommended procedure for conducting BSA climbing/rappelling activities at a natural site or a specifically designed facility such as a climbing wall or tower.

Gardner Dam offers two exciting programs that challenge the older scouts and excite the younger boys.

Mountain Bikes

All trips will be lead by an experienced staff member and will vary in length from one to two hours. An overnight, 32 mile trek will be offered every Thursday, returning to camp by 3:00 P.M. Friday.

Whitewater canoeing and kayaking on the Wolf River continues to be a very popular program often filling up fast. Get your request in early to get signed up.

Merit Badge Program

Gardner Dam offers a long list of merit badges designed for the outdoors. By sending in the merit badges that each Scout desires to take, our Program Director will put together an individual boy schedule and a master schedule for the Scoutmaster. Take a look at the merit badge requirements.

Eagle Challenge

A program designed to meet the needs of first and second year campers.

Gardner Dam Basic Schedules

Daily Schedule - Monday-Friday

Morning

6:30 A.M.

Commissary Opens

7:45 A.M.

Morning Color Ceremony and Roll Call (in campsite)

8:00 A. M.

Breakfast

9:00-12:30 P.M.

Instruction Period

10:00 A.M.

Scoutmaster Meeting to plan tube trips & tests

Afternoon

12:30 P.M.

Troops assemble at campsite

12:45 P.M.

Lunch

2:00-5:00 P.M.

Camp Adventure Period (CAP)

5:00 P.M.

Troops assemble at campsites

6:00 P.M.

Supper

7:00-8:30 P.M.

Evening Activity Periods

8:45 P.M.

Call to Quarters, Roll Call, Devotions

10:00 P.M.

TAPS; Lights Out, All Quiet

Activity Periods are opportunities for Troop and Patrol planned activities as well as camp sponsored events.

 

Basic Sunday Schedule

1:30-5:00 P.M.

Check-In (Medical recheck and swimming test)

5:45 P.M.

Retreat Ceremony (all Scouts and leaders in uniform)

6:00 P.M.

Supper

6:45 P.M.

Camp Leaders Meeting - Camp Tours

7:30 P.M.

Complete merit badge sign up

8:30 P.M.

Campfire & O.A. Call-out Ceremony

9:45 P.M.

Call to quarters

10:00 P.M.

TAPS, Lights Out, All Quiet

Basic Saturday Schedule

6:30 A.M.

Reveille - Everyone Up

7:45 A.M.

Breakfast

8:00 A.M.

Morning Colors and Camp Awards (in campsite)

Wednesday and Thursday Evening Order of the Arrow Schedules (Times may vary slightly.)

Wednesday

9:00 P.M

Pre-Ordeal Ceremony

Thursday

5:20 P.M

Ordeal Ceremony

9:00 P.M

Brotherhood Ceremony

9:40 P.M

New member orientation/Cracker Barrel

Evening Program

The evening activity periods are from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., and this is a good time for informal troop activities and sports programs. You may wish to challenge another troop to a ball game. The Trading Post is open for snacks. Three areas of camp are open for individual participation: boating, archery, and rifle. Most evenings have a camp program scheduled, but Monday and Thursday are your unit's nights to do something special.

Scheduled Evening Events from 7:00 - 8:30

Monday - Whitewater M.B. gate practice

Tuesday - Vespers (a nondenominational midweek inspirational service with readings which lasts 20 minutes) Friendship campfires to follow

Wednesday - Camp wide games

Friday, 3:45 - Water carnival

Monday and Thursday, 7:00 - Troops may sign up for programs (such as troop shoots, swims, boating trips, hikes, etc.) with the Program Director

Scheduled Late Evening Events

This activity period is from 8:30 to Call to Quarters at 9:45. It is the time for campfires, night games, mystery hikes, and special camp wide activities. The camp staff provides a program on the following evenings: (These activities are not mandatory, on a not-to-interfere basis with troops conducting their own programs.)

Sunday - Opening Campfire with songs, stories, staff skits and O.A. call out ceremony

Tuesday - Friendship Campfires - Troops have an opportunity to conduct their own campfire and invite another troop or two.

Thursday - Troop Night, plan your own activity or take advantage of open program areas

O.A. Ordeal & Brotherhood ceremonies

Friday - Closing Campfire

Call to Quarters

Roll Calls must be taken prior to each meal and at Call to Quarters. This is a safety measure and should be done carefully, four times each day.

Scheduling

By sending in the merit badges that each Scout desires to take, our Director of Programming will put together an individual boy schedule and a master schedule for you. It is not practical to complete, in advance, a full program of the general troop's week in camp. Start your program planning by making a list of all the things your troop would like to do in camp. Use the Advancement Objective sheet, Things to Do list and Advancement Requirements as working guides and include other fun types of activities.

ADVANCEMENT IN CAMP

Preliminary Planning

Preliminary planning of each Scout's camp advancement objective is necessary if he is to make the most of his camp experience. Special emphasis should be given to the rank advancement of Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class Scouts. Understanding the needs of these Scouts, Gardner Dam Scout Camp has created the Eagle Challenge Area.

Merit Badge Program

Scouts will have a better chance of completing certain merit badges faster if they review the requirements and finish most written work before arriving in camp. With some advanced planning, certain badges can be earned in considerably less time than if all the requirements were done in camp, thus giving Scouts more free time. If a Scout has not completed all the merit badge requirements by the end of the week, he will be given a certificate showing, what he has accomplished, which he can use with his counselor back home.

Many Scouts will attempt to qualify for more merit badges than they have sufficient time to work on. This results in canceled appointments and disappointments. Unit leaders may be helpful in counseling Scouts prior to arrival in camp to determine the number of merit badges each Scout should work on.

Scouts should be encouraged to bring merit badge pamphlets to camp for the badges they plan to take. A supply of most pamphlets will be available for sale at the Trading Post.

The camp will continue to provide an assortment of basic materials which will enable Scouts to complete the handicraft badges. Some Scouts may wish to complete more advanced projects as keepsakes or gifts for family. Kits which contain more advanced materials will be available for each handicraft merit badge. Leaders may wish to inform parents of this prior to camp since it will be important for them to know that these kits are optional.

Merit Badge Scheduling

The following is a list of which merit badges are offered. This should make preregistration for merit badges easier. The schedule of merit badge offerings allows Scouts of all levels to earn what they need.

It would be rare if a scout does not get what he requests because of the "Flex" scheduling offered at Gardner Dam. Each week the Program Director rewrites the schedule to meet the needs of scouts. Every effort will be made to accommodate all requests. Caution scouts not to take too many merit badges so as to leave some time for tubing and biking. Scouts should request 3 merit badges along with 1 alternate choice.

 

Daily Schedule
Download the Daily Schedule and "CAP"
 
Gardner Dam Scout Camp Daily Schedule and "CAP"
Time
Monday through Friday A.M.
9:00-10:00
Merit Badges
10:00-11:00
Merit Badges
11:00-12:30
Merit Badges
12:30-2:00
Lunch Break
Time
Monday through Friday P.M.

.
"CAP" Camp Adventure Periods
2:00-3:30

Wolf River Tube Trip

Swimming

Snorkeling

Rifle Shooting

Canoeing

Pioneering

Shotgun Shooting

Rowing

Conservation Projects

Climbing

Mt. Biking

Eagle Challenge

Bouldering

Hiking

Cooking Demos

Archery

Fishing

Rafting

C.O.P.E.

Kayaking

Crafts

3:30-5:00

Rifle Shooting

Swimming

Snorkeling

Shotgun Shooting

Canoeing

Pioneering

Climbing

Rowing

Conservation Projects

Bouldering

Mt. Biking

Eagle Challenge

Archery

Hiking

Cooking Demos

C.O.P.E.

Fishing

Rafting

Kayaking

Crafts

.

Notes

Each Scout should select three merit badges along with one alternate choice. An adult leader is

responsible for sending these requests to camp two weeks in advance of arrival.

Whitewater meets all AM or all PM. Please indicate AM or PM

Lifesaving, Canoeing and Climbing meet during one and one half hour slots in the morning.

Merit Badges Offered Download Merit Badges offered with prerequisites.

Merit Badge

Prerequisites (by number from requirement book) and (Notes)
Level (1st, 2nd, or 3rd year camper)

Archery

$3.00 - $5.00
3

Art

4, $3.00 - $5.00
2

Astronomy

6
2

Backpacking

10, 11a
2

Basketry

$6.00 -$10.00 for basket kit
1

Bird Study

5, 6, 7, 8b, 8c
3

Camping

4b,9a,9b,9c See more in requirement book
2

Canoeing

2 and be a swimmer
3

Climbing

2 CPR Note
3

Cooking

5, 6, 7 ***NEW***
2

Emergency Prep

1, 2c, 6c, 7, 8c First Aid MB required to enroll in MB
3

Environmental Science

.
3

First Aid

1, Bring first aid kit from home
2

Fish and Wildlife Management

5a, 5b , 5c, 5d, 6c, 7d, 8
2

Fishing

7 with note stating fish were caught
1

Forestry

1, 5
2

Geology

2, 6, 8, 12
2

Hiking

5, 6, 7
3

Indian Lore

$5.00-$8.00 for projects
1

Leatherwork

$5.00-10.00 for materials
1

Lifesaving

lb, 13, 14b long sleeve shirt, long pants
3

Mammal Study

.
1

Nature

.4
2

Orienteering

8, 9, bring compass
2

Pioneering

2a
2

Reptile and Amphibian Study

8
2

Rifle Shooting.

$3.00 - $5.00
3

Rowing

2 and be a swimmer
2

Shotgun

$20 - $30
3

Soil and Water Conservation

2d, 3c, 5a, 6d, 7a, 7d, 7e
2

Space Exploration

($10-15 for materials)
1

Swimming

2, 3 and long sleeve shirt and long pants
1

Weather

8 and home projects
2

Whitewater

Gates test at camp. (May be assigned to am or pm class)

KayakBSA earned at camp (Very difficult MB for small scouts.)
3

Wilderness Survival.

5 (Assemble kit at home.) Overnighter
2

Wood Carving

$5.00 - $8.00 for materials

2

PLEASE NOTE:

All aquatic merit badges now require CPR. CPR training is not offered at summer camp. The CPR requirement must be completed at home. In addition BSA Lifeguard requires community CPR or its equivalent.

 

Merit Badge Application

Aquatics

Swimming Classification Tests

All Scouts and leaders will be classified according to swimming ability at the lake during the Sunday check-in. Following the test each camper will receive a specially marked buddy tag as follows:

Non-swimmer (white)

No test necessary.

Beginners (red-white)

The Scout or leader enters the water by jumping in, feet first. He then swims 25 yards in one direction, stops, turns and swims 25 yards back to the starting point. This is a total of 50 yards in water over the swimmer's head.

Swimmer (red-white-blue)

100 yards as follows: swim 75 yards in strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: side, breast, trudgeon or crawl; swim 25 yards on back, preferably with a restful stroke; rest by floating, or if not buoyant, with just enough motion to stay afloat.

Buddy System

The Buddy System is used at all times and there are no exceptions to this rule. Leaders are asked to be sure each Scout understands the operation of the Buddy System.

Swimming Instruction

Swimming instruction is offered during the instructional swim period, at 9, 10, and 11:00 a.m. each day: Swimming Merit Badge is also offered at these times.

- Non-swimmer instruction is for boys and leaders who cannot swim, or who can swim a short distance, but not over 50 yards. The object of the instruction is to teach campers swimming fundamentals.

- Beginner instruction is for boys and leaders who can swim 50 yards, but not 100 yards or those who failed the swimmer test because of lack of proper form or ability to do one of the required strokes.

Mile Swim

Mile swim is offered at camp. Preliminaries start on Monday afternoon.

B.S.A Lifeguard

B.S.A. Lifeguard is for Scouts who have already passed the Merit Badges in Swimming, Lifesaving and Rowing. The requirements are found in the Lifesaving Merit Badge pamphlet. The qualification is given on request. Please check with the Aquatics Director for more information.

B.S.A. Lifeguard Application

Canoeing Merit Badge

This is limited to Scouts who are classed as Swimmer.

Rowing Merit Badge

Scouts with beginner swimming ability may start this merit badge but must be swimmer qualified by week's end.

 

Mountain Bike Hikes

Mountain bike hikes are available to all Scouts. Scouts may bike on several miles of exciting bike trails in camp. Mountain bike hikes are offered Monday through Friday. Times are posted at camp. Arrangements can be made with the Program Director at the Scoutmaster meetings each morning at 10:00 A.M.

 A complete fleet of Trek front suspension mountain bikes ranging in sizes from 13-21 (small youth to adults) is available.

Wolf River Tubing

Whitewater tube trips are offered Tuesday through Thursday at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m., and Friday at 1:00 p.m. Monday from 1:30 to 4:30 is now reserved for passing body surfing and tube proficiency tests. All participants desiring to go on the whitewater section of the river must pass these two tests. A float trip on a tube will be offered on the upper portion of the river, and a participant only needs to have passed the swimmer test.

Tubing Procedures

Two tube trips are offered at Gardner Dam Camp. A float trip from "Herb's Landing" to Upper Bridge is a very basic, float only trip, no whitewater. A second whitewater trip will be offered from the Upper Bridge to County M. This trip includes some class I and small class 2 rapids.

Tubing will be run by the Aquatics Department and supervised by the Aquatics Director and Director of Programming. The following steps will ensure a safe and enjoyable tube trip.

Each participant must be a "swimmer," dressed in long pants, long sleeve shirt, shoes (tennis shoes work extremely well-no aqua socks are allowed) that will stay on in rapid water, PFD, and a helmet.

Each participant will pass a hand paddling proficiency test in a tube. The test will consist of putting the paddler in the water on a tube at the inlet just above the Upper Bridge. A kayak will be stationed at the end point to ensure a safe takeout. The staff member in the kayak will determine if the tuber is qualified to take the tube trip. At least two adult leaders will be assisting the staff member.

A body surfing test will also be conducted during the same time frame. The test will consist of a swimmer walking out into the middle of the river under the Upper Bridge and floating on his back unit he or she reaches the large eddy to the river right. At that time the swimmer must demonstrate strong swimming ability to the eddy to qualify for a tube run.

Qualified tubers will have their swimming buddy tags marked with a special mark to identify competency level.

Gardner Dam Whitewater Merit Badge Program

Prerequisites:

  1. Canoeing Merit Badge
  2. Sunday evening Skills Test
  3. BSA swimmer

    Many Scouts have earned Canoeing Merit Badge, however, they do not have canoeing skills. This presents a real danger in a whitewater course to the participant, and it causes excessive damage to equipment.

    Along with the prerequisite of canoeing merit badge, each participant must, on Sunday evening at camp, demonstrate and perform canoe maneuvering through the use of proper strokes. For safety reasons, individuals who cannot demonstrate such skills shall not be allowed to participate in the program.

    Scout leaders are responsible for transporting their participating individuals to the various whitewater sites during the week.

    NOTE: All participants must pass the B.S.A.. Swimmers Test

    Options available

    Whitewater 1 (OC2) Beginning Tandem Canoeing

    Whitewater I fulfills the requirements for Whitewater Merit Badge. River reading and basic current fundamentals are introduced. Skills such as eddy-turns, peel-outs, and ferries are introduced and developed. Rescue techniques are gone over in great detail.

    Whitewater 1 (Kl) Beginning Kayaking

Whitewater 1 fulfills the requirements of Whitewater Merit Badge. River reading and basic current fundamentals are introduced. Skills such as eddy-turns, peel-outs, and ferries are introduced and developed. Rescue techniques are gone over in great detail.

Ecology-Conservation

Located in the new "Petters Place" near the lower bridge, the Ecology Conservation area offers a variety of merit badges.

 

 
 
 
 
 

Rifle and Shotgun Range

Safety is stressed at all times on the range. Training and firing will be under the supervision of a B.S.A. nationally certified adult Range Officer.

No personal firearms or archery equipment may be brought to camp for safety and security reasons. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

Ammunition is sold at a nominal charge.

Archery Range

The Archery range offers: Archery Merit Badge using the field round and Scout field round. The range is open afternoons for troop shoots, merit badge work and open shooting Monday and Thursday evening.

Eagle Challenge - A Program Designed to Meet the Needs of the First and Second Year Camper

 

The program starts on Monday morning (9:00 a.m.) To participate in this program, your Scouts need only bring their official Boy Scout Handbook, pocket knife, compass, and a personal first aid kit. The schedule allows Scouts to pick and choose the skills they need for advancement. To help your Scouts prepare, it is highly recommended the troops complete a list of the Scouts needing instruction in each of the basic skills listed in the schedule. If the need arises, some sessions may be scheduled for more than one time or a session may be split. Each Scoutmaster will receive a report as to what each scout has completed. This report consists of a checklist of activities that the Scout worked on related to the Tenderfoot through First Class requirements. The Scoutmaster is responsible for signing off all advancement requirements. The program will be headed up by the Eagle Challenge Director, and will be conducted each morning and afternoon in the Eagle Challenge area.

Rank Requirements Revised January 1, 2005, by the National Office, Boy Scouts of America.

 

Download an Eagle Challenge Schedule

Download an Eagle Challenge Schedule grid

 
Campcraft
 

The Campcraft area offers art, leather working, basketry, and wood carving merit badges. The area is covered and lighted to allow evening activities and in most any weather. Other skills and activities have been added for all ages of scouts and leaders.

 

Contact the Camping Dept.

 
 Four New High Adventure Programs for 2008
 
 
 
"Wolf River Adventures"

These four treks replace the old "Excursions" program at Gardner Dam Scout Camp, and the "Bear Paw Adventure" program at Bear Paw Scout Camp.

Door County Adventures (Minimum age 14 years) - This exciting high adventure trek utilizes Door County, our very own "Cape Cod of the Midwest". After some training and a practice run on a lake near Gardner Dam, your crew will be transported to Jax Camp, a Bay-Lakes Council property near Sturgeon Bay, where you will base camp for a week of sea kayaking on the waters of Green Bay, as well as bike touring on the trails and byways of Door County. You'll also get some free time to play tourist!

Voyageur Canoe Adventures (Minimum age 14 years) - The canoe routes that you will paddle are the very same ones used by Native American Indians, French-Canadian Voyageurs, trappers and hunters in the old Northwest territories. You and your crew will pick your route for your adventure. Typical trips are to the Flambeau, Manitowish, Nicolet or Peshtigo rivers. As an example, if you choose the Flambeau, this trek will take you to the beautiful and wild Flambeau River in north central Wisconsin. Rated one of the best paddling rivers in the Midwest, the Flambeau offers flat water, as well as some challenging Class I and Class II rapids and terrific scenery, as you paddle and camp in the Flambeau River State Forest.

Whitewater Adventures (Minimum age 14 years) - You can't ask for any better whitewater kayaking opportunities than what we have right here in northeast Wisconsin. This high adventure trek will put you in river kayaks on the Wolf, Peshtigo and Red Rivers… just to name a few. Your crew will base camp at Gardner Dam and hit a different river each day with challenges for all abilities. When you're not on the water, participants will get a taste of COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience), climbing, rappelling and mountain biking.

Northwoods Adventures (Minimum age 13 years) - This fantastic high adventure program has something for everyone. Utilizing opportunities at both Bear Paw and Gardner Dam Scout Camps, participants will have the opportunity to participate in COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience), rock climbing & rappelling, black powder rifle, lake kayaking, sailing, snorkeling and an overnight bike trek. You will camp two nights on Explorer Point at Bear Paw Scout Camp, before biking toward Gardner Dam for an overnight stop at Boulder Lake.

 
How to Sign-up
Please email Kathy Collins or call (1-800-372-6887) at the Bay-Lakes Council Center for Scouting to sign up.
 
Adult Leader Award
Adult leaders will have the opportunity to earn the coveted "Adult Leader Award" by participating in a variety of activities. Some of which include, Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, Climb on Safely, drinking multiple cups of coffee, and a variety of other fun challenges all designed to promote scouting and a fun week at camp. Be sure to see the camp commissioners early in the week.

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