The Owasippe Scout Reservation is the oldest Boy Scout campground in the United States, started in 1911 and currently sits on ~4,800 acres adjacent to the Manistee National Forest.  The Owasippe Scout Reservation is located at 9900 Russell Road, Twin Lake, MI 49457, roughly a 3.5 hour drive from Chicago.  More information about Owasippe is here.

Troop 1 will be attending summer camp during Session III, July 10 - 16, 2016 at Camp Blackhawk, situated at the shore of Big Blue Lake. Blackhawk features lake front swimming and a dining hall. Pictures of the camp and the Owasippe Camp Leaders Guide 2016 is available here. Camp tradition is that when "Camp Blackhawk" is spoken, the boys respond "Go."

By this time, boys should be registered, paid, submitted their T-shirt size and completed their BSA medical forms.  If not, please get this completed as soon as possible.  The 2016 BSA medical forms are available here.

Our troop will depart at the Home Depot on North Avenue at 7 a.m. on July 10th.  We expect to return ~12 p.m. on July 16th.

Scouts will be sleeping on cots, on top of floor boards, within a classic canvas tent.  Below is the recommended packing list.

• You need to get a plastic tub that is 2' to 2'6" high. All of the Scouts gear will be stored here. It seals up nice every night. You can get one of these at Target. It needs to hold your Scout's equipment for the week.
   
• Mosquito netting. The mosquitos are huge and in abundance. Your Scout needs to protect himself at night. The tents are made from canvas and do not keep mosquitos out.
   
• Non-aerosol mosquito repellent and sunscreen. 
   
• Full Scout uniform of at least the official Boy Scout shirt. It is ideal if your Scout has shorts and socks but they are not required. Khaki or olive shorts are a good substitute for BSA Scout shorts. Please do not pack neckerchiefs or slides. They will just be lost in the woods. We will be required to all dress in the official uniform for dinner and to take a Troop picture.
   
• Rain jacket or poncho. It may rain and you do not want your Scout to get soaking wet
   
• All Scouts should get a Troop 1 T-shirt. Your Scout should bring enough clothes for a week. It is better to bring more clothes rather than less. Please include:
  • Underwear
  • T-shirts
  • Shorts
  • Socks
  • Sweatshirt (It can get cold)
  • Sweatpants
  • Bathing suit (all Scouts will take a swimming test)
  • Swimming towel to double as bath towel
    • Pro Tip - Place change of clothes for each day (shorts, shirt, socks, underwear) in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag.  Label each bag with a day (Monday, Tuesday, ...). Your Scout can then select a bag each day and the chances are improved that all clothing articles will be changed.  An added benefit is the clean and dirty clothes can be separated. Be sure to remove the air from the bag before sealing to save space.
    • Pro Tip - It is recommended that you spray your Scout's outer clothes (socks, shorts, shirt) with Sawyer Permethrin (available at REI, Scout store and similar places). This insect-killing repellent for your clothing is effective against ticks, chiggers, mites and mosquitoes for up to 6 weeks.
• Light backpack that the Scouts can use to carry notepads, pencils and other items around camp.
   
• Sleeping bag and pillow. (A sleeping pad is a matter of preference though Scouts will be off the ground on a cot).
   
• Showering kits of soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth, etc. 
   
• Boy Scout Handbook. There will be a ton of opportunities for advancement. Some of the boys will leave camp with a Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star or Life rank. Scouts trying to advance to Star or Life should bring pictures or copies of their blue cards (Do not bring the actual blue cards). We plan on doing Scoutmaster Conferences and Boards of Review so that the boys can advance and receive their awards in September. New Scouts, please try to do the push-up, sit-up, pull-up, 1/4 mile run, long jump requirement for Tenderfoot in the Handbook at least once before coming if possible.
   
• Pencil and notepad
   
• Flashlight with extra batteries (test the flashlight before bringing it).
   
• Cell phones are OK for calling home but there are limited opportunities to recharge them.Please do not have the boys bring IPads or electronic games. Cell phone coverage is also limited.
   
• Your Scout should bring enough money to go to the Trading Post and perhaps buy an Owasippe T-shirt. That means between $20 to $40. All of the boys will have some amount of money. The Troop covers most incidentals but trips to the Trading Post for a slurpee are a ritual of summer camp. Please contact me if you have concerns.
   
• Pocket knife. We will do safety training for all new Scouts.
• Water bottle
• Hat
• Mess kit for eating a meal at the campsite