The staff at Winnebago Scout Reservation is family.  There are many parent and Scout family members on staff.  You will find the Winnebago staff hardworking, dedicated, experienced and ready to have you join their family.  The staff excels at the Winnebago Program and is a great positive experience to your Winnebago experience.  At the conclusion of the week will be the closing campfire and the re-enactment of the Legend of Winnebago.

    Scouters consider the Winnebago merit badge program to be challenging and fair.  There are no give-a-ways, scouts earn their badges.

    In the words of the longest running BSA Aquatics Director in the Universe, Winnebago's own Rich Mager.... your experience at Winnebago Scout Reservation will be "TREMENDOUS!".

Winnebago Scout Reservation Program Schedule

E-Z Checkin

          How would you like to make Sunday check-in more efficient?  Less time waiting at the Health Lodge for the Health Officer to check medical forms?  More time to settle into your campsite?  If this sounds good to you, then please come to Camp Office at 7:30 P.M. the Tuesday prior to your week in camp or to the Health Lodge on June 22nd between 9:00 Am and 4:00 PM to hand in paperwork, ask questions, enjoy snacks and get a taste of the fun that your Scouts will enjoy during their week at camp.  This meeting will allow the Staff to be more prepared to meet the specific needs of your Troop, starting the moment you arrive at camp.

 

  You will be fast tracked when you check-in on Sunday if you take advantage of E-Z Check-In!!

 

          Here is what you will need at E-Z Check-In:

1. Summer Camp Troop Roster of all Scouts and Adults staying in camp (membership ID #'s for all campers).

2. Any camp fees for additional Scouts/Adults/Parents

3. Money for Troop Pictures ($8.00 per photo)

4. All fields completed on the Class 3 Medical forms for all Scouts and Leaders

5. Medication Record/Physician Information forms for all Scouts and Leaders if applicable

6. Photo Release forms for all Scouts and Leaders

              Please park in the Parking Lot and proceed to the Camp Office.  You will be greeted by a Staff member and taken to the Dining Hall for snacks and to exchange some very useful information regarding camp.  Don’t forget your paperwork!!

 

Before Camp:

• Get all of your Scouts excited about Winnebago Scout Camp! Winnebago Scout Camp promotional materials can be requested by clicking here.  Our promo team can come out and rally your Scouts for camp: Promotional Request

• Attend the Winnebago Scout Camp Leaders meeting.  Time and location to be determined.  You will be contacted with this information.  This Leaders meeting will provide you with vital pre-camp information and changes at camp.

• Review the Winnebago Leaders Guide and Patriots' Path Summer Camps Leaders Guide. 

• Make sure all proper paperwork is signed by parents.  Medical Forms MUST be completely filled out.  Scouts and Leaders (under 40) medical forms are good for 36 months.  Adult Leaders (over 40+) medical forms are good for 12 months.  Medical Forms can be found under Camp Resources.

• Tell your Scouts and Parents what campsite your Troop is signed up for.

• Have a pre-camp "Shake Down" meeting to make sure each Scout brings the proper clothes and equipment.

• Have any questions?  Feel free to contact us! Click here to contact us.

During Camp:

• On arrival to camp, Troops check-in at the Parking Lot (Staff will be in the Parking Lot to greet your Troop) at their scheduled time (see schedule below).  Scouts coming to camp as individuals (Camp Troop, AdVenture Camp, Trail to Eagle) also check-in at the Parking Lot.  Please arrive in uniform, with swimsuits underneath. 

   

  Leaders should have the unit’s paperwork ready, including Troop roster for camp, any payments for additional Scouts and/or adults, and medical records (complete with parent and doctor’s signatures) to submit upon check-in.  Staff will be in the Parking Lot to greet your Troop.  You will have a Site Guide assigned to ease your Troop through the check-in process.  Medical records will be turned over to the Health Officer, along with any required medications, at check-in.  This shortens the wait time at the Health Lodge.

         

   

   

            We regret that we cannot make arrangements to accept any Troop or individual prior to the opening time (12:30 P.M.) on Sunday.  NO EXCEPTIONS!

                                    -  Sunday Check In Times -

 

        Arrival Time                                      Sites

       12:30 P.M.                                          Algonquin, Cayuga, Commanche

       1:00 P.M.                                            Chippewa, Delaware, Shawnee

       1:30 P.M.                                            Cherokee, Leni Lenape, Onondaga, Waccabuc

       2:00 P.M.                                            Camp Troop, Trail to Eagle, AdVenture Camp

 

          Check-in times are necessary to accommodate the increasing number of units and Scouts attending camp.  The staff must have time to prepare for you and your Troop.

 

      The first “in camp” meal is Sunday dinner.

After Camp:

        - Breakfast will be served in the Dining Hall.  Area Directors will remain in the Dining Hall until               9:30 A.M. for any questions regarding merit badges.

 

        - Complete the site inspection with your Site Guide.

 

        - Check out at the Camp Office.  Be sure to submit evaluation forms and pick up any Troop                  photos, merit badge cards, messages, etc., from your site mailbox in the Camp Office.

 

        - Pick up your Troop’s medical forms and any medications from the Health Lodge.  Be              sure to return the appropriate forms to any boys who will be returning to camp for another  week this summer.

        - Medications not picked up will be destroyed as we cannot legally keep these.

        - Double check Unit Advancement records BEFORE you leave camp.

 

Campsites

       You are in bear country, so please no food in campsites.

        Campsite map

Things to bring

        Recommended Troop/Patrol Equipment can be found here.

        Recommended Personal Equipment can be found here.

Troop Leadership

    According to the BSA policy, during the week you must have at least a 21 year old and an assistant who is at least 18 years old.  If there is difficulties locating leaders to staff your troop, please contact the Camping Services Department prior to camp.

Medical Forms/Rosters/Medical Rechecks

    Upon arrival to camp, please check in with the Camp Office.  Please hand in your Troop Roster and Medical Forms.  Medical Rechecks will be scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

Wristbands

          All Scouts, leaders and guests must wear camp wristbands at all times.  One is provided to each person upon check-in.  Each additional wristband will cost $.50.

Visitors

          A week of camp goes by very quickly due to the myriad of projects and activities with which a boy gets involved.  For this reason, the boy has little time for much else.  Certainly, parents and friends are interested in what he is doing, and he is encouraged to send postcards and letters telling of his experiences.  Winnebago Scout Reservation does not offer a specific Visitors Night.  Your Scout is in program from 9 to 12, 2 to 5, and 7 to 9 – a very busy and rewarding experience.  Check with the Camp Director for Troop/Parent visitation procedures. 

Note that all visitors must follow signs and check in at the Camp Office and receive wristbands. All visitors must wear wristbands at all times. All visitors must pay at Camp Office for any meals they will be sharing with their Scout.  ($5.00 for breakfast, $6.00 for lunch, and $7.00 for dinner). Use meal receipt for presentation to Steward at Dining Hall.

Telephone Service

          There are no public telephones within the camp.  Leaders may bring their cell phones for use if the need arises.  If a telephone call must be placed and you do not have a cell phone, speak with the Camp Director about using the office telephone.  Scouts should not be using any telephone without a leader present.

 

Scoutmasters Lounge

          The new Scoutmaster's Lounge is located in the rear of the Camp Office. We ask your cooperation in using this facility. Please help us keep it clean and neat. The following will be available: Coffee, Tea, Snacks, Phone Jacks for Internet access and electric outlets for charging your electronic equipment.

 

Meals

          Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is served at the Dining Hall.  Each table will have an assigned Scout Waiter to setup each meal and cleanup each meal.       

 

Parking/Automobile Use in Camp

          No personal vehicles will be permitted inside the front gate.  All vehicles are to be parked in the designated parking area.  No Scout or Leader is permitted to ride in the back of a pickup truck or hang off a trailer.

 

Phone Calls

    In case of emergency, the camp phone number is: 973-983-9075.  A messenger will be sent to your campsite. 

 

Homesickness

    Everyone gets homesick at camp!  We bet you will miss your bed!  Scouts at Winnebago may get homesick.  Keeping the Scout active and busy will prevent it.   There has only been a few extreme cases where the Scout was not ready for a week away from home and needed to go home.  Here is a guide to help you build a Scouts character:  Helping with homesickness

Health Lodge

    The Health Lodge is staffed with an on duty Health Officer and a fully stocked examination room.  Arrangements have been made with nearby Medical facilities and Rockaway Rescue Squad for more serious cases.  All prescribed medicine must be stored at the Health Lodge.  

Mail

                    Scout Name and Troop Number

                    Winnebago Scout Reservation

                    102 Timberbrook Road

                    Rockaway, New Jersey  07866

 

Inside the Camp Office there is a mailbox for each campsite.  Scouts and leaders who receive mail will have the items placed in their respective mailboxes when it arrives.  Please check your mailbox daily for mail and/or messages. 

Trading Post

    The Camp Store offers Winnebago Scout Reservation Camp shirts, souvenirs, snacks/candy, post cards, stamps and basic camping gear.  Please make sure your Scouts eat food/drink items at the trading post.  An outgoing mail box can also be found at the Trading Post. Merit Badge pamphlets (Limited Quantity) and other Scout literature is also available. The hours of operation will be posted.

Weather

    The weather at Winnebago Scout Reservation can range to clear and sunny in the 90s to clear and cool at night with lows sometimes in the 60s.

Current Winnebago Scout Reservation Fees and Dates

        Winnebago Summer Camp Boy Scout Fees

        Winnebago Summer Camp Dates

Leaders Guide

    For additional information please refer to the Winnebago Scout Reservation Camp Leaders Guide.  Prior to arriving to camp, please review the Leaders Guide. This guide can be found on the Resources page.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

Camp Pictures

          A great souvenir of a fabulous fun week in camp is a Troop photograph.  There will be a professional photographer in camp after dinner on Monday to take a picture of your Troop.  The cost is $8.00 per photograph – in cash.  Please bring any Troop flags or other Troop items you wish to be in your photograph to dinner with you on Monday evening.

Merit Badges

          In order to have a successful experience in the merit badge program, Scouts must begin their preparations at home, continue at camp on Monday, and stick with it.  Some merit badges can be completed during the camp period.  Others have requirements for observations, tests, or record keeping over a prolonged period.  In these cases, Scouts should complete all prerequisites before coming to camp, bringing certification of completion from their counselor (or Scoutmaster in the case of the Camping merit badge).  To help Scouts in earning merit badges, we offer the following suggestions that you may wish to include in your camp planning, perhaps enabling a larger number of merit badge completions.

          Do not over-schedule.  We set no limit on the number of badges a boy can attempt, but sometimes their desires are bigger than their time limit or abilities allow.  Experience tells us that for the first year camper, no more than two merit badges should be encouraged.  For the older, more experienced camper, a normal maximum of three to four merit badges per week is recommended.  Scouts are in camp for many things other than merit badges, and they should not miss out on other opportunities strictly to work on merit badges.  Please do not allow your Scouts to plan for failure.  Advise them when they make their selections and encourage them to stick to the guidelines provided above.

          Scheduling conflicts should not discourage a Scout from taking a merit badge.  All times are flexible, and most conflicts can be worked out with a counselor.  If a Scout comes to camp prepared to pass the merit badge, he may ask a counselor for a review without waiting until the end of the week.  This year’s Merit Badge Scheduling Program will cause fewer scheduling conflicts because instruction sessions are listed as scheduled.  Your Scout should be able to plan his day based on classes offered.  Note that certain merit badges will impose a limit to the number of Scouts per session.

          Each Scout should thoroughly review the requirements of his planned merit badges and prepare himself before leaving for camp by reading the merit badge book(s) for the badge(s) being attempted.  Unfortunately, we cannot instruct those areas listed as prerequisites during merit badge instruction periods.  Please be sure that items marked as prerequisites are completed prior to your Scout’s arrival at camp.  Scouts will be able to earn partial merit badges if they arrive without prerequisite work.  This “partial” is good until the Scout’s 18^th birthday.

          Each Scout should have a merit badge application form (blue card) for each merit badge being attempted.  Please see that all the required information has been provided – legibly – in ink - and make sure that it has been signed by the Scoutmaster on the front section only so that it will be ready to present to the merit badge counselor at camp.  Please bring sufficient blue cards for your Scouts.  Extras will be available for purchase in the Trading Post.  Camp has only a small number on hand and we will be unable to provide them for you.

          Remember that several merit badges have requirements that must be completed before attending camp.  Evidence must be provided that these requirements have been met.  On these and all requirements where work was completed prior to the Scout arriving in camp, a note from the Scoutmaster is not always sufficient evidence.  When a requirement states “make, demonstrate, show, do, etc.” then that is what is necessary.  Photographs of the completed project(s), charts, reports, etc., would be helpful.  If there are any questions about a merit badge’s requirements, call the Florham Park Service Center or camp.

          Remember to check the current requirements for all merit badges your Scouts will be working on in camp.  Many of the optional requirements cannot be completed in camp.

THERE WILL BE A LIMITED QUANTITY OF MERIT BADGE PAMPHLETS IN THE TRADING POST. BE SURE TO BRING ALL MERIT BADGE PAMPHLETS NEEDED WITH YOU TO CAMP.

Camp Troop at Winnebago:

      Can't go to camp with your troop?  Want to spend more than one week at camp?  Check out our Camp Troop.

 

Boy Scout Day Camp: 
    Not quite ready for overnight camp?  Want to see what camp is like?  Looking to get a taste of the Boy Scout program?  Check out our Boy Scout DAY camp program.

AdVenture Week:

   Want  to experience a week of AdVenture? Check this out. Winnebago AdVenture Camp

COUNCIL REFUND POLICY:

 In all programs offered by the Patriots’ Path Council, BSA, a great deal of planning and purchasing takes place well in advance.  These plans include, but are not limited to, staff, food, program materials, patches and awards, rental and purchase of equipment, and in some cases, items of clothing such as T-shirts that are given as part of a program fee.

 When an individual or group makes a reservation for an activity or program, these items are included in ordering of materials and staffing for that event.

 Refunds: Individuals or groups that cancel a program reservation 30 days prior to the date of the event will receive a refund of fees paid, less a 15% administrative charge.  No refunds will be made after the 30 day cancellation deadline, unless there is a medical or other emergency.

 ALL CANCELLATIONS MUST BE MADE IN WRITING AND SENT TO THE PATRIOTS’ PATH COUNCIL, 222 Columbia Turnpike, Florham Park, NJ  07932.