Other Program Opportunities

Program Features for Youth

New Scout Hike: Friday morning, the Netami Clan will conduct a 5 mile hike.  Scouts should bring a small backpack and water bottle.  Scouts who are not involved in Netami Program may talk to the Netami Clan Scoutmaster about joining the hike.  Leaders will be asked to assist with the hike.

The Patrol Method: Our program has been developed to promote the use of the patrol method while in camp. We will be using this method in the New Scout Program, Patrol Competitions, Patrol Cooking and all Patrol Meetings.

Additional Cook-out Days: Troops are required to cookout three meals during their stay at Seven Mountains.  If troops or patrols are interested in cooking out more then these three meals, arrangements must be made in advance with the Camp Director and the Dining Hall Staff.

All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) will be cooked on Wednesday. Please bring the appropriate equipment and/or seasonings as desired. Each Unit will be provided enough of each of the following for each registered Scout and leader:

Wednesday Breakfast: Bacon, eggs, toast, assorted cereal, milk, orange juice
Wednesday Lunch: Hot dogs, chicken noodle soup, oranges or other fruit, milk
Wednesday Dinner: Ground beef, potatoes, onions, carrots, bread, milk
*This menu is subject to change based on concerns for severe food allergies from week to week.

Patrol Leaders’ Council in Camp: Troops are encouraged to conduct a Patrol Leaders’ Council Meeting(s) in camp. Staff assistance, guidance, and suggestions in Patrol Leaders’ Council Meetings can be arranged through the Program Commissioner.  The Seven Mountains Camp experience should be used to strengthen your troop’s overall program. This is required for the Honor Patrol Award.

Camp-wide Event (by SPL Council): Camp-wide events are created, planned, and executed by the SPL council.  The events must be held to certain time constraints due to troop/patrol sponsored campfires, overnighter trips, and merit badge activities.  SPLs should survey their units prior to coming to camp about programs in which they would be interested.  In previous summers we have had flag football tournaments, fishing tournaments, volleyball tournaments, and scavenger hunts just to name a few activities.

Senior Patrol Leader’s Council:  At Seven Mountains Scout Camp there is a Senior Patrol Leader’s Council, which meets to plan camp activities like campfires and camp-wide events.  The council decides if any changes are needed in the camp program to fit the various needs of the troops that week.  They may also share ideas on troop programs and operations.  All Senior Patrol Leaders are strongly encouraged to participate in this council, which is chaired by the Program Director or Program Commissioner. This is required for Honor Troop Award.

Twilight Program Events:  Although a list of prospective activities is not yet completed, some examples we are looking at are; evening swim in the pool, volleyball competition, softball competition, open merit badge time, open shooting sports and adult training. These times will run from 7pm to 9pm Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Chapel Service:  A Scout is Reverent. One of the unique features of our camp is its beautiful chapel. A vespers service is conducted each Monday night at 7:00pm, in the chapel area below the breast of the dam. Units and individuals are encouraged to attend this service and should feel free to use this area throughout your stay at Seven Mountains Scout Camp.

During Monday’s Chapel Service a collection will be taken for the World Friendship Fund. The World Friendship Fund gives the youth members of the Boy Scouts of America an opportunity to help fellow Scouts who are in need of their support. When Scouts and units participate, they become a part of a worldwide Good Turn. They develop an awareness of and a concern for Scouting needs of others. World brotherhood through Scouting is realized when Scouts care and share.

Aquacade: A tradition at camp. Patrols will form to compete in strength, agility, and quickness. You can check with the Program Director for more information upon arrival at camp.

Hikes: Every patrol is encouraged to take a hike and/or an overnighter during the week.  Your campsite is only a base of operations.  Many excellent trails exist in and near camp, along with other seldom used areas of the camp.  You are invited to use these areas, leaving them in prime condition upon departure.  You must file with the Program Commissioner your plans for a hike and/or overnighter so that your meals can be planned.  Food and available camp equipment can be provided, if needed.  Plans should include camp equipment needed, food needed, and a detailed list of the number going, names of the Scouts and leaders going, route estimation, expected departure time, and anticipated time of return.  For more information on trails in and around the camp, consult the Program Commissioner. 

Outpost Camping: Outpost campsites are another program feature, which can be used by patrols and troops.  Information concerning these outpost sites is readily available.  Reservations through the Program Commissioner are required since space is limited.  When planning your outpost experience, Tuesday or Thursday night should probably be considered first.  Leadership is the responsibility of the patrols and troops involved.

Flag Ceremonies: Camp wide flag raisings and retreats are held daily at 7:50am and 5:50 pm. Unit flag ceremonies are encouraged in the campsites prior to the camp-wide activities.  All units are strongly encouraged to be at the Dining Hall promptly and in proper uniform for the flag ceremonies each morning and evening. Units do not have to be at the retreat on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning flag ceremony. There will be no formal retreat and flag ceremony at those times. However, honors are to be rendered by anyone in the area at the time the flag is lowered.  Units may sign up to serve as honor guards for any of the colors ceremonies held Monday thru Friday. Please see the Program Director for scheduling and instructions.

Campfires: Two camp-wide campfires are held during Boy Scout camp. The Staff “Welcoming Campfire” is scheduled for Sunday night. Parents are invited for the Friday night “Visitors Campfire” and the Order of the Arrow “Call Out” ceremony. Units proceed single file to the campfire circle when released by the Program Commissioner. Units are encouraged to hold their own campfires in their sites any night of the week.

Wednesday evening staff members will join campers in their campsites for an evening campfire.

Program Features for Unit Leaders

Scoutmaster Meeting: Sunday evening a brief meeting will be held at the Camp Office after dinner. Scoutmasters and Unit Leaders are urged to attend this informal gathering. This is an opportunity for the camp leaders to discuss any last minute concerns and to meet the area directors who will answer any questions you may have.

Safe Swim Defense: After dinner Monday evening, the Aquatics staff (with some help from other staff members) will treat the camp to a skit that will serve as an introduction to the Boy Scout Safe Swim Defense. All eight points of the program will be explained.  Immediately following the skit, interested unit leaders are asked to remain for a 15-20 minute Safety Afloat discussion and certification.

Scoutmaster Shoot: If you are an early riser and need something to get you going in the morning, then this is for you. The day and time will be announced by the Shooting Sports Director at camp.

Scoutmaster Cook Off: This is a competition between all unit leaders. We want to see how creative you can be with main dishes. All ingredients will be supplied by the person doing the cooking.  We will be judging dishes cooked in Dutch ovens. Scoutmasters are asked to bring their dishes to the Dining Hall at 7:00pm on Wednesday Night.  Judging will be based upon originality, presentation, and overall taste.  After the judges have sampled each of the dishes, Scoutmasters are invited to try each other’s dish and stay to enjoy an evening of fellowship in the Dining Hall.

Scoutmaster/Staff Softball Game: Thursday during Siesta will be the annual softball game between the unit leaders and staff members. Equipment and extra players will be available to the unit leaders if needed.

Unit Leader Meetings: Daily, there will be a leaders meeting directly following breakfast.  At least one leader from every unit is asked to attend an informal meeting with the Program Director, Program Commissioner, and Camp Commissioners. This is where leaders get to share their views on the camp program. This meeting will take place at the Camp Office.

Unit Leader Training: There will be unit leader training offered each week of Boy Scout Resident Camp.  Please sign-up prior to attending camp.  To sign-up contact the Council Service Center.  We will accept walk-ins but we ask for as much advanced notification as possible so that we can make sure we have an adequate amount of materials.