We will have an information meeting on Monday June 7 for parents of Scouts going to Camp Geronimo this year -- June 26 - July 3 at CCSC (that's the short form for where we meet).

This will be a chance to get your questions answered while we provide basic information.

Between now and then, here are some things to think about:

1. Health Forms.  Everyone going is required to have the BSA Medical Form Parts A, B, and C.  I have attached a form that you can start on your computer.  Part C needs to be filled out by a physician.  Note that copies of medical insurance cards are needed, and there are MUST FILL OUT parts for parents/guardians in Past A, and optional places for parent permissions (non-prescription medicines such as Tylenol) in Part B.  Note we will also need a signed AT RISK form for everyone going (attached).
2. Payment:  Cost is $400 plus extras for certain merit badges.  Some have already paid.  Camperships have been awarded.  If you are not yet paid in full, please see Bob at the June 7 meeting.  If you plan to pay all or in part with Unit Account money, please let me know.   You can also mail payment to me (Bob Hetrick) at 4934 W Tierra Buena Ln, Glendale, AZ  85306, or call me at 602-980-2031 with questions.  Note: we are not set up to take credit cards.
3. Preparation:  Check out the attached equipment checklist to know what to bring.  You will need a full BSA uniform.  If you do not have all parts you can get new things at the Mesa Scout Shop or online at Scoutstuff.org.  You can also find a lot of pre-owned uniform parts at most Valley thrift shops, especially at the Deseret Industries ones.  Also, if anyone has not been exercising much, you might think of starting.  There will be a good deal of walking at Camp Geronimo.
4. Dietary:  If anyone going has any type of dietary allergies or the like, such as nut allergies or anything specific such as vegetarianism, please let us know.  We are planning three in-camp meals before Geronimo food service stats up, and we will assume that we have a set of omnivores that can eat basically anything unless we are told otherwise.

There will probably be more.  Stay tuned.

We're looking forward to a GREAT week.

Bob Hetrick, Summer Camp Coordinator

Please join Ryan Hadden and his parents in celebrating Ryan's earning of Scouting BSA's highest rank on Friday June 18 at 6PM.  The location  will be the Congregational Church of Sun City.  The entire Troop 365 and families are invited.

I just had a question from the parent of one of our new Scouts crossing over on patch placement.  Here is an illustration that can help.  Note that the Arrow of Light patch goes centered below the left pocket.  The right pocket is a choice.  Over your time in Scouting -- as soon as at Summer Camp! -- you will get a number of patches that can go there.  When you end up with a lot more patches to show off than you uniform can hold, that's what vests are for.

Campfires can be a big part of any camping trip. In addition to knowing how to put out a fire, considering where our firewood comes from is an essential piece in having a Leave No Trace campfire. If collecting wood from the surrounding ecosystem is allowed, following the 4 D's of wood collection will help us leave minimal impact on the environment.

We have submitted our booking for 13 boys and 2 adults - so far - with room to add a few. We will be in Site 26 -- part of the way up the hill past the Dining Hall and creek crossing -- in a beautiful site close to East Webber Creek wit great shade.  We will be in the same Cohort as our Sister Troop 3365, but they will be on the other side of camp in Site 7.  It looks like Session 5 will be full or close to it, just like the previous weeks, so Camp can be cpunted on to run smoothly with the staff having weeks 1-4 under their belts.

We will leave Saturday morning, June 26, and return Saturday afternoon July 3.  We will get to camp a day before programs start and will handle our own food until Sunday evening meal.  We'll find a way to use that time very well.  We will have Scouts both in traditional merit badges and some new T365 Scouts in the Brownsea Island program..  Some programs may have additional fees, such as ammunition, craft projects,  and horse riding fees.

It's possible to pay for a big part of camp by volunteering for the Memorial Day and Flag Day (June 14) fundraisers.  The cost to you (or your family) can be a LOT less than the numbers that you see below.

Here are the two programs that our boys will be in.

Merit Badge Program - $400  Traditional Summer Camp Merit Badge opportunities to work on over 30 different merit badges.  Video:

Brownsea Island Program - $400  Ideal for Scouts new to Scouts BSA, with main focus on completing Scout Rank, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class rank requirements, as well as a good orientation to the way Scouts BSA works.  There is also an opportunity to earn the First Aid and Swimming Merit Badges. Video:

Adults - $150 for full week, $75 for half.  

If you haven't declared your interest yet we need you to both to sing up and to notify Bob Hetrick at rjhetrick@gmail.com that you will be coming, so I can register you with Council.  I will be working directly with those going on matters of payment.

Safety:  For Summer Camp 2020 Camp Geronimo operated very safely with a rigorous set of protocols to make summer camp healthy, and they got through 4 weeks of Summer Camp without a single COVID problem.  Protocols included a lot of health checks - before entering camp and every morning, breaking the camp into smaller groups called cohorts who stuck together instead of mingling with other groups, special dining hall procedures, mask wearing, social distancing, and a lot of disinfecting.  We know they will do this and more in 2021, building on proven best practices.

NOTE: Everyone will need a current BSA Medical Form -- parts A, B, and C (C i the physical) in hand when we have check in on Saturday 6/26!  Follow the "Forms" Link on the Menu to the left!

The two Crews will depart on Wednesday July 7th at 6:00 am. Please arrive early to load your gear and sign in. The Crews will arrive in Cimarron, New Mexico for dinner and camp overnight at Philmont. The hikes begin Thursday July 8th and complete on Tuesday July 20th. They will eat lunch at Philmont and then drive 10 hours home.

How can you make payments?

Venmo: @Christopher-Oless  

For more information about Philmont, visit https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/.

• Download the 2021 Itinerary Guidebook
• Download the 2021 Guidebook to Adventure
• Philmont preparation sessions on YouTube