Woodruff Scout Camp Overview

Located in the north Georgia Mountains, Woodruff ’s natural environment gives you unlimited opportunities for adventure. From blasting through white water to the ability to earn your choice of over 60 different Merit Badges, Woodruff is one of the premier BSA camps across the nation.

Morning at Woodruff is spent knocking out Merit Badge requirements at the waterfront, nature/STEM center, field sports, handicraft or shooting sports ranges. In the afternoon, Scouts have the opportunity to take on adventure challenges like climbing & rappelling, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, mountain boarding, Ga-Ga ball, interpretive programs, and a variety of aquatic activities. Campfires, movie nights, Vespers, and spoof badge sessions fill the twilight hours before taps closes out another great day of camp.

Woodruff has a renowned Mountaineer first-year-camper program means that every Scouts BSA will have the time of their life no matter their experience level.

Dates, Departures and Returns

• June 4 – 10, 2023: We are participating in Week 1 of Summer Camp this year, per normal tradition.
• Departure on June 4: We will gather at Haygood UMC parking lot at 10:00am and leave promptly at 10:30am. It is about a 2 hr drive to camp. Camp check-in begins at 12:45pm. It always is kind of a zoo at check-in, so we want to be amongst the first to arrive, if possible
• Return on June 10: We will plan to be completely packed and out of camp by 9:00am which should have us back to Haygood UMC parking lot by 11:00am.
• Separate arrivals and/or early departures: We encourage all scouts to attend all of the camp week to get the very best experience and to ensure they have adequate time to complete their activities. However, we understand that schedules may require that a Scout come separately and/or depart early. Please coordinate directly with the Camp Coordinator, Emily Fink.

Who can attend?

• All Scouts, AOLs/Webelos II, & those intending to join Troop 455 or another troop. Youth must be registered with BSA.
• Older Scouts may apply to be counselors as well. Many of our older Scouts participate as Counselors at Bert Adams.

Registration

• Registration for camp is done as a Unit/Troop. Because of the high-demand for camp, we have to reserve our camp slots one year in advance.
• Scout and adult slots for camp are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis and are secured by notifying the Camp Coordinator and paying $100 deposit through Scoutbook PayPal account.
• Program registration opens in mid-April and will be coordinated at the Unit level. Please reference Program section below.

Camp Costs & Payment

• 2023 Camp Costs: Total Fee = $480. $380 Camp Fee + $100 Troop Fee (Transportation, Adult Fees, Extra food, Camp Gear)
• Additional Fees: Some activities and courses have minimal additional fees, usually $10-50. If your Scout participates in one of these activities, we will add the charge to their PayPal account.
• Scout Cash: We recommend that Scouts bring an extra $75 to use at the Camp Trading Post. Items to purchase include — coursework supplies, camp apparel, memorabilia, drinks and snacks.
• Camperships (Scout scholarships) are available for financial and gear assistance. Please contact Committee Chair Chad Polk: to find out more.
• Payments: Payments are made thru PayPal within a Scout’s Scoutbook “Profile” under “Payments.” Any questions should be directed to Tom Heene, our Troop Treasurer.

Coordination and Leadership

• Pre-Camp: Our troop camp coordinator, Emily Fink, manages registration, communication and preparation, medical forms, other paperwork, class assignments, tenting and transportation.
• On-Site Adult Leadership: Scoutmaster Brady Lum and Committee Chair Chad Polk will be on-site adult leaders, responsible for registration and activity changes, ensuring a safe and fun experience for all Scouts, and coordinating troop-specific activities. Brady will be joining at from Sun-Wed and Chad will be joining Wed-Sat. They will be joined by four (4) additional adult chaperones who will also be splitting the week — Johnathan Lyons, Lance Holiday, Chris Antle, and David Mallett.
• On-Site Scout Leadership: Our Troop will elect a Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) specifically for the duration of camp. The SPL is a critical position who serves as the primary communicator with our Scouts and coordinator between Camp and our Troop throughout camp.

Activities, Merit Badges, and Programs

• Program Guide: This is very comprehensive document that is worth a read for all Scouts, Parents, and Adult Leads.
• Merit Badges & Schedule: This is an opportunity for Scouts to select from a list of over 60 different merit badges. Please note that some badges are more difficult than others and may require pre/post course work. Reviewing, and ideally completing, the 2023 WSC MB prerequisites before camp will help ensure that each Scout can “complete” the badge and not have to return home with “partially completed” badges.
• Mountaineer Program: The Mountaineer Program is ideal for new Scouts or Scouts who have not already had a good deal of camping experience. This program is a great way for your new Scouts to get that advancement jump-start they need on the Trail to Eagle. Many requirements from Scout through First Class are earned while participating in this program.
• Whitewater Treks: Scouts camp fee includes one offsite activity (either horsemanship merit badge, horse trail ride, a whitewater river trip, or the whitewater merit badge). Scouts have the option of choosing the day/activity that fits with their schedule. This is completely optional and not required. Please communicate to our camp coordinator, Emily Fink, if you are interested in participating in one of these activities. These are individual activities, not Troop activities.
• Older Scout Programs: These older scout programs are for the Scout with a few years of camp under their belt who is looking for a little more out of Camp. Woodruff offers four separate older scout programs appealing to a variety of interests — Laurel Mountain (MB Earned: Woodworking), Laurel Mountain (MB Earned: Metalworking), and Woodruff News Team (MB earned: Photography, Moviemaking, Graphic Arts, and Journalism). There is even a Pathfinder program which gives older scouts a sampling of many advanced activities (climbing, mountain biking, hiking, whitewater rafting, shooting sports, etc).
• Daily Camp Schedule: This is a good reference for how each day at camp will unfold.

Packing List – Scouts

• Scouts BSA Class A uniform – including shirt, shorts, belt, socks, and t-shirts
• Activity uniform – Scouts BSA shorts and your favorite Scouts BSA t-shirts. Bring Troop 455 shirts!
• Waterbottle
• Extra clothing – socks, underwear, closed-toed shoes, etc.
• Jacket or sweater
• Raingear
• Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, pillow, other bedding — Scouts will be sleeping in Adventure-style tents outfitted with cots
• Swim suit
• Soap, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, towels (bring extra!), and other personal items
• Sunblock and insect repellant
• Scouts BSA Handbook, Merit Badge Books (as needed), pens, pencils, and notebooks
• Camera, compass, flashlight, and other camping items
• Day pack or small tote bag
• Money for crafts, snacks, at the Trading Post (about $70 is the average amount)
• Personal footlocker or Troop/Crew lockbox to secure valuables (optional)

Required Forms

• Forms marked with an asterisk (*) should be completed or reviewed per participant, all others may be completed at the unit level.
• Medical forms*: BSA Medical Forms A & B completed & signed by parent & Scout yearly. BSA Medical Form C must be completed & signed by physician yearly. If these were done in the last year, they may still be valid. You can check your Profile in Scoutbook and/or contact the Scoutmaster. These must be completed in advance of camp! Remember that a current Medical Insurance Card with ID number and contact info must be included as part of the application.
• Pre-Camp Health Questionnaire: The on-site unit leader, Brady Lum, will ask each Scout health questions at Haygood before heading to camp. He will be required to submit this health questionnaire and attest to the health of all participants.
• Early Release Form*: This form must be completed if a Scout is being picked up early from camp and submitted to Camp Coordinator.
• Prescription Medicine*: This form should be completed for any Scout bringing prescription medications which need to be administered at camp. The on-site unit leader will ensure that proper dosages are administered per schedule.
• Vehicle Registration: Each vehicle at camp will require a permit to be displayed under the windshield. Drivers should complete this in advance if possible and leave in their vehicle.
• Whitewater Waiver*: Anyone participating in one of the optional whitewater adventures in the afternoon must complete a release waiver.