General Camping Trips:

If this the first time your Scout is joining a Troop 539 camping trip, this is the place you find information about what's involved, what you need to do to prepare.

Q: How does the camping trip work?

A: The easiest way to detail a Troop camping trip is to walk through the itinerary:

Friday:

5-5:15 pm - Scouts are dropped off at St. Barnabas and divide up into adult leader cars for transport to the campsite. Scouts should arrive having eaten dinner.
6:30-7 pm - Troops arrive and immediately unpack trailer and set up sleeping areas (Troop-provided tents starting with April campout).
8 pm - Troop meeting (Cracker Barrel-style, simple snacks in a circle, with a focus on conversation).
10 pm - Lights out :)

Saturday: (Approximate; may shift based on weather)

7 am - Scouts wake up and cook their own breakfast with leadership from the older Scouts.
8:30 am - Morning muster and raising of the flag
9 am - Morning activities; typically a longer activity like hiking, snowshoeing, depending on the facility and the available activities.
11:30 am - Return to campsite/lodge to make lunch, washing all dishes and cleaning meal area afterward.
1 pm - Afternoon activities usually include time for outdoor games and advancement activities, typically led by older Scouts.
5 pm - Return to campsite/lodge to make dinner, washing all dishes and cleaning meal area afterward.
7 pm - Evening activities at the campsite / lodge; may include board games or a campfire & s'mores.
10 pm - Lights out :)

Sunday:

7 am - Scouts wake up, have a simple breakfast (bagels, fruit) and pack up gear and the campsite / lodge / Troop 539 trailer.
9 am - Check out and drive back to St. Barnabas
9:30 am - Arrive back at St. Barnabas for parent pick-up

Q: What should my Scout bring on the campout?

A: A sleeping bag, floor mat/air mattress and pillow are among the most important items to pack. For lodge camping, there will be indoor heating, but it will be important to create some insulation with the floor, so a sleeping mat or air mattress is an important tool to have. Additionally, it's important to bring layers to accommodate warm / changing weather, as well as waterproof outerwear to keep out rain and moisture. You can find more detail in the 10 Essentials List, as well as the Winter Packing List.

Additionally, your Scout will need to have a completed health form on file with the adult leaders for the campout. For Campouts of less than 72 hours, only parts A & B of the health form (located in the sidebar at right) are needed. This can be filled out by a parent or guardian. For Campouts longer than 72 hours - like Many Point Scout Camp - parts A, B & C (located in the sidebar at right) are needed and this will include sections filled out by a parent or guardian, as well as the Scout's primary care provider (similar to a sports physical).

Q: Who leads the campout?

A: Campouts are all Scout-led. Scouts make decisions as a group and complete activities as a group. Specifically, the Senior Patrol Leader Scout is "in charge" and will have several dozen camping nights under their belt by this point. Each smaller patrol - subgroup within the Troop, broken out by age - will have its own patrol leader to help guide the Scouts. Adult Scout leaders are in attendance to support activities and offer feedback if needed, but it is the young men in the Troop who run the show.

Q: Does a parent need to attend?

A: No, a parent does not need to attend the campout, but are welcome to do so as long as they register as an adult leader and complete the Youth Protection Training before the camping trip. Scouts BSA has these requirements, although a parent may camp with us and simply observe (no leadership activities required). If a parent does attend, they are asked to limit interaction with their Scout so that the Troop can build its own leadership abilities.

Q: Can my Scout bring their phone?

A: Scouts are encouraged to leave all technology at home in order to get the most out of the campout, although it is not a requirement. Scouts should not have the phone out during the daytime - this includes meals, activities and down time - and Scouts who are repeatedly asked to put their phones away may risk losing it for the weekend. It is okay to use phones to and from the campsite or at night in the tent (respecting Lights Out).

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Many Point Scout Camp - July 14-20, 2024

Many Point is a Northern Star Council-operated Scout Camp just outside Ponsford, MN. Troop 539 attends one week each summer (Sunday-to-Saturday) and participates in achievement activities in the morning (e.g., merit badges like leatherwork) and team exercises in the afternoon (e.g., sailing, rock climbing, archery.)

Many Point Scout Camp is an important camping event each year for new and returning Scouts, who are able to earn as many as 4 merit badges and complete several key rank advancement activities. The sign-up process occurs at Troop meetings starting in April.
The registration cost for the week is approximately $330 (includes all meals) and typically the Scouts spend an additional $20 on activities like tye-die t-shirts. Many Point does have a trading post where souvenirs (and slushies!) can be purchased, so optional spending money is suggested. Finally, Scouts should plan to bring $10-$15 each for lunch on the way up and lunch on the way back (often at a McDonald's or Pizza Ranch).
Parents may join (in a tent), but are asked play an advisory role - specifically, answering questions when asked (not being parents)
July 14–20, 2024 are this year’s dates (camping at Quetico in the Voyageur subcamp) so it will be hot and we’ll be sharing the camp with many winged friends.

For more information, visit the Many Point website.