Camp Freeland Leslie

About Patrol Method Camping:

Pre-Camp Preparation

Most pre-camp preparation is organization work. Before leaving for camp, your troop should be organized into patrols, with a Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) overseeing all patrols. Each patrol should consist of six to eight boys and be led by a Patrol Leader (PL). To ensure success, it is generally best to establish these groupings early in the year so that the scouts can participate in several outings together before coming to camp. Another important element of preparation for camp is training. Time spent earlier in the year sharpening cooking and camping skills during troop outings - especially for new scouts - will pay huge dividends when summer camp rolls around. We strongly recommend using the patrol method on every campout in order to strengthen youth leadership skills and prepare for summer camp. A duty roster for you patrol should be made for the entire week before you arrive to CFL. This will help your patrol better prepare for your busy schedules while at camp. Duty Roster sheets are available from the camp office after you arrive.

Youth Leadership

The staff will be looking to the youth leaders of the troop to know what they want. Please encourage a strong youth-led system, as the patrol method was designed. The Senior Patrol Leader should organize and lead the troop both before and during camp. The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader helps the SPL carry out his duties and often takes charge of other tasks that are delegated to him. One of the most important functions of the SPL at camp is to attend SPL meetings, where he represents his troop and is responsible for communicating important information to them when he returns. He needs to have a good idea of what activities and programs his troop wants to participate in so that he can represent them effectively. Active attendance and participation in these meetings will help better prepare not only the SPL but his entire troop for the week’s ongoing activities. Each Patrol Leader should lead his patrol operations, assigning tasks to the members of his patrol fairly to see that everyone contributes. A Duty Roster, or rotation of assigned tasks throughout the week, can be a big help with this.

Adult Leadership

By the time your troop arrives at camp, most of your adult leaders' duties have been completed. From registration to training to transportation, leaders make it possible for the boys to come to camp. Once at camp, adults are responsible for the health and safety of the scouts, and for counseling the troop's youth leadership. Adults should also assist with troop discipline when required. Aside from these duties, adults are encouraged to take advantage of the many program opportunities available to them, and to follow Baden-Powell's motto: "Train them, trust them, and let them lead." After a year of preparation, it is time for the troop's youth leaders to show their stuff! Some of the adult activities include a wide array of adult trainings and also adult COPE. Adult COPE is a great program, held in the afternoon that will benefit adult leaders in a unique learning environment.

Small Units (12 scouts or fewer)

No formula works for everyone, and the ideas that work for larger troops don't always apply to smaller ones. Stick with what works best for you. If you have ten scouts, for example, you may elect to have the SPL and ASPL serve as a Patrol Leader and assistant at camp, rather than separating them from the rest of the troop. Or, with a dozen scouts you may choose to have two patrols and no SPL, with Patrol Leaders sharing the SPL duties. Discuss your situation with your commissioner or other camp leaders, and we will do everything we can to adapt to your needs.

Merit Badges at CFL

CFL has eight different program areas that are operated by an enthusiastic and highly qualified staff. Two of these program areas, C.O.P.E. and High Adventure, are designed for older Scouts and personal development. The other six are geared towards essential Scouting skills and merit badges. In the Program Areas section of this website, you will find a description of each area and any information Scouts will need to know in order to participate in the programs that each area runs. Please refer to the specific area for a list of merit badges offered and any prerequisites or additional gear that may be required.

Each program area offers a variety of unique programs. A program area may offer overnights, breakfast or lunch programs, and programs during the evening. For the most up to date information on special programs being offered you can check our web site or refer to the daily schedule you will receive upon arrival to camp. Before you go any further, here are a few notes on merit badges. Scouts can complete any requirements for the merit badges we offer before arrival to camp. Any requirements a Scout does before camp should be done with a merit badge counselor. This means that a Scout wishing to do a merit badge at camp that has prerequisites should follow the same procedure as if he were doing a merit badge at home. He should first get permission from his Scoutmaster to do the merit badge and acquire a signed blue card. The Scout must then find a merit badge counselor locally and work on the prerequisites. The Scoutmaster should have access to a troop or local listing of merit badge instructors. A Scout must have any requirements he does prior to camp signed off on a blue card. The Scout must then bring that blue card to camp if he wishes to complete that merit badge by the end of camp. If a scout does not provide a signed off blue card citing his prerequisites he will not be able to complete the merit badge.

Our counselors will not make a Scout redo a requirement or complete a different option of a requirement. However, Scouts will be encouraged to participate in the merit badge classes even if they have completed the requirements being covered. If a Scout has started a merit badge with another counselor all that is needed to show the Scouts accomplishments is a properly filled out blue card with the previous merit badge counselors signature by the requirements that the Scout has completed. The Scouts must have this blue card at camp in order to continue building off his previous work.

The merit badge program at camp is an intrigue part of the camp program. However, merit badges are not the entire program offered at camp. A Scout is encouraged to take 3 to 5 merit badge at camp. This allows time for a Scouts participation in other programs.  Scouts who finish some of the requirements of a merit badge but not all of them will be given a “partial”. A Scout can take this partial and complete the remaining requirements with a merit badge counselor at home. Being prepared before camp and completing prerequisites with a merit badge counselor from home will minimize the number of partials a Scout takes home.

Some merit badges offered at camp have requirements that are either difficult or impossible to do at camp. This guide tells you what merit badges have prerequisites. Please come to camp prepared. In some cases a Scout may not be able to take a merit badge if he has not completed the prerequisites.

Merit Badge Schedule

We run a 5 session per day merit badge program. Each session is 50 minutes long and there are 10 minutes between each session to allow time for a Scout to get to his next activity. Please look at the schedule closely. It is designed to allow a Scout as much versatility as possible. Most merit badges are 50 minute classes and meet four times throughout the week. However, some merit badges meet only twice a week or even just once. Other merit badges are two sessions long and/or require out of class work.

• Merit Badge Schedule - 2010 Merit Badge Schedule Grid for CFL

This is a program designed to help Scouts achieve the rank of First Class. Its goal is to familiarize boys with the basic skills that every Scout should know.  The program is intended to be a time for Scouts to learn skills like: first aid, knots and lashings, orienteering, and fire building. Once a Scout has learned the skills he must demonstrate his ability to perform and apply the skills.

This is a program designed to help Scouts achieve the rank of First Class. Its goal is to familiarize boys with the basic skills that every Scout should know. The program is intended to be a time for Scouts to learn skills like: first aid, knots and lashings, orienteering, and fire building. Once a Scout has learned the skills he must demonstrate his ability to perform and apply the skills.

The staff of First Class Trail does not sign off requirements in a Scout’s handbook. Each Scout will have a progress report sheet that keeps track of what times he showed up and what requirements he worked on. This sheet will then be given to the Scoutmaster at the end of the week, or the Scoutmaster can check with the counselor daily to see a Scouts progress and review material with the Scout in the campsite. CFL encourages that the leaders of the troop take the time to review the skills that a Scouts has learned, and make sure that he can demonstrate them and fully know their usefulness before the Scout gets the requirement signed off. This ensures the best quality of teaching that a Scout can get. CFL further encourages adult leaders to attend and participate in the First Class Trail program. While it is the responsibility of the staff to teach the class, skilled extra helpers are always welcome.

The First Class Trail program operates out of the Eagles Nest area. It runs in the morning during all three sessions and during some evenings. Every time slot covers different requirements, so please make sure the Scouts look at the schedule carefully. The 2010 First Class Trail program reflects the Boy Scout   Handbook 12th edition requirements. The 2010 First Class Trail program schedule is as follows.

Monday

Tuesday

Thursday

Friday

Scouts can work on other Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class requirements not offered in the first Class Trail program during other camp programs. If a Scout would like to work on other rank requirements not offered in the First Class Trail program he just has to talk to the staff running the program.

Scouts can come and go to which ever requirements they need. They do not have to come to every session every day, unless they want to. This program is open for scouts to walk in freely whenever a requirement that they need is being offered. Just make sure the staff record that a Scout was there and what requirements he worked on so that his progress can be tracked.

First Class Trail Scouts should come prepared! If the requirement they are wishing to work on deals with knots, they should bring a section of rope to tie knots with. If the requirement requires getting into the lake a Scout should have a bathing suit and towel. The program will supply things like compasses, stoves and first aid equipment but a Scout is always prepared and it helps when Scouts bring their own equipment to practice and learn on.

CFL offers many opportunities for a troop to build teamwork between its patrols. Here are just a few examples that your troop can prepare themselves for. Please check this website as your week at camp draws closer for the most up to date troop programs that we will be offering.

Troop Competitions

Troop Tournaments: New for 2010! Troops will now be able to sign up and participate in troop tournaments against other troops in camp. Tournaments will be scheduled by camp staff and the troop that wins will have a chance to play a staff team for the select tournament championship. Tournaments to be offered are volleyball, water polo, human foosball, and pioneering competition.

Campsite Gateway: Any troop can enter this competition. Each campsite gateway will be judged by 5:00 pm Wednesday evening. If a troop would like to enter this competition the SPL must register at any of the SPL meetings prior to the judging. The judges will be looking for creativity, ingenuity and proper lashings and knots. The winning troop of this competition will receive a free pizza party on Friday night after the campfire. Anything may be used in the creation of a gateway, and bringing supplies up to camp for the sole use in the gateway is encouraged. Only one gateway per campsite will be allowed to enter this competition. If more than one troop is sharing a campsite, cooperation between them to make one gateway is encouraged.

Troop Inspection: This competition challenges a troop’s ability to keep a clean, organized, and efficient camp. If a troop is interested in competing, the SPL must register the troop no later than the Monday SPL meeting. The competition runs four days, Tuesday through Friday. During that time the CFL Staff Inspection Team will drop by unannounced once a day each day. Points will be awarded to the troops that meet the standards of the inspection team. On Friday the points earned throughout the week will be tallied together. The winner will be announced at the closing campfire. Here is the list of a few things that the inspection team will be judging on.
• Tents and dining tarps properly pitched with all the proper knots and ropes.
• Cooking area clean and organized, including patrol box.
• All fires properly attended or extinguished.
• Blue supply tent clean and organized.
• Outhouse clean and stocked.

Troop Overnights

Tree Top Overnight: Spend a night in the trees. Your troop can enjoy a quiet evening and night on the shore of Lake Emrick. This overnight is unstaffed, meaning that adults are required to participate to follow youth protection guidelines. The overnight is designed to be used as an opportunity for a troop to use the facility and plan their own program. Depending on the troop’s desires, a cracker-barrel the night of the overnight or a breakfast the morning after can be supplied. This overnight is offered on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. If a troop is interested the SPL can sign up for any of these night at the SPL meetings. Spots will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.

Other Troop Opportunities

Troop Service Project: Give back to the camp. Use the skills of your troop and perform a service project at camp. Come up with your own project and approve it by our ranger or do a needed service project that is on our list. Giving back to other troops that come up to camp is the best way to keep the spirit of Scouting alive.

If you have a special program or idea of a troop activity let us know. We are more than happy to help you develop a program for your own troop.

Our mission as a summer camp is to provide the best and most effective patrol method program with as much fun as possible. Here are just a few examples of the programs we offer to enhance the patrols of your troop.

Patrol Overnights

Survival Night: See if your patrol has what it takes to survive alone in the backcountry of camp. As a patrol you will be allowed to bring three items that you have chosen from personal or troop gear. Then your patrol will pick, from a supply tent, 5 more items to take with you on your trek. You will be given rations to cook breakfast in the morning. A staffer to help and guide the patrol as an advisor, not to do things for them, will accompany the patrol. “Leave No Trace” will be practiced. This overnight is offered on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. If a Patrol is interested the patrol leader must sign up at the camp wide PLC meeting on Sunday.

Patrol Competitions

Camp gadget: a patrol must work together to build a creative and useful camp gadget. It must be something that the patrol uses in their campsite during the week. If a patrol would like to enter this competition and be judged the patrol leader must register for it at the camp wide PLC meeting on Sunday.

Patrol Spirit: A patrol must present their flag and yell to the New Frontiers staff on Monday evening. The patrol will be judged on creativity and ENTHUSIASM!

Patrol Area Activities

From 4:00 pm to 4:30 patrols can take part in a variety of area activities designed to have fun and prepare patrols to work as a team for the Friday Night Event. For a patrol to take part in these activities the patrol leader must sign up for them at the camp wide PLC meeting on Sunday. Please watch this website for a list of activities that will be offered.

The Golden Grommet Patrol

Be one of the elite: The Golden Grommet is the highest award that a patrol can earn at Camp Freeland Leslie. A patrol must prove that they can work together and accomplish goals as a team. Any patrol that earns this rank will earn a hanging golden grommet that can be worn on the pocket of the uniform. The grommet represents team work. A single grommet holding a single stake in the ground will never keep a tent in place, much less make it useful. However, when all the grommets of a tent are being properly used there is nothing that can dislodge a tent. Much like the tent, a patrol can do anything only when all its members are working together and doing their part. If your patrol is interested in the Golden Grommet the patrol leader must register for it at the camp wide PLC meeting on Sunday.

2010 marks the 100th anniversary of scouting in the United States of America. Scouting has been on a journey over the last 100 years and we invite you along to learn and celebrate its path to where it is today! To commemorate this historic event CFL will offer many activities and special programs to help celebrate the 100th anniversary.  Listed below are just a few of the programs and special events that will be offered to Scouts and leaders in honor of the 100th anniversary.

The CFL 100 Campaign:

Troops and patrols with have the opportunity to select and participate in, up to, 100 activities that will benefit their patrol, troop, CFL and/or surrounding camp community. Service projects are the main focus of the program. All Participants will be recognized at the closing campfire and will also receive a special CFL 100 Campaign Patch. Please read through the program description below for more information!

• CFL PROGRAM OVERVIEW
• CFL PROJECT LIST

Tree Planting through the Arbor Day Foundation:

Troops, Packs, Patrols, Dens, Scouts, and Families are encouraged to take part in a once in a lifetime opportunity. With every $20 donation, a 3-4 foot tall tree will be purchased for Camp Freeland Leslie. For each tree purchased another tree will be planted in the Boy Scouts of America Centennial forest. The Centennial Forest will aid in re-planting the Flathead National Forest in Montana after recent fires. It is the hope of the program to plant trees that will be a part of CFL for the next 100 years.
Please read through the program description below for more information!

• CFL TREE PLANTING PROGRAM - OVERVIEW
• CFL TREE PLANTING REGISTRATION FORM

Geocaching “Get In the Game!”:

Put simply, it's a high-tech treasure hunt. Players use coordinates given to them and seek out hidden containers, called "caches" or "geocaches,” using GPS navigation devices. Each container has a prize inside of it. It's fun, challenging, and interesting for individuals and patrols. A course has been created at CFL and will be available to all scouts and adult leaders wishing to participate!

Discontinued Merit Badges:

Over the years, scouting has discontinued many merit badges that did not fit the program or needs of its scouts anymore. As of right now it looks as if we will be able to offer two of the four special discontinued merit badges that National is releasing for this year. Any of the discontinued merit badges will count as an elective towards Scouts trail to eagle. Unfortunately the official requirements have yet to be released and we are waiting until then to publish what and when we will be offering in regards to discontinued merit badges. A more current list of badges will be available on the here as more information is released by national.

A Year of Celebration, A Century of Making a Difference:

One of the core programs of the national 100th anniversary celebration, this program looks to involve every scout, adult leader, and scouting alum in celebrating the 100th anniversary of scouting. It will help to engage individuals in fun activities and reward them for their contributions to Scouting. While CFL cannot offer the opportunity to complete each requirement, it will offer as many camp related requirements to scouts and leaders. Please check back to this webpage as this program is solidified for use at CFL.

The 100th Anniversary of Scouting

2010 marks the 100th anniversary of scouting in the United States of America. Scouting has been on a journey over the last 100 years and we invite you along to learn and celebrate its path to where it is today! To commemorate this historic event CFL will offer many     activities and special programs to help celebrate the 100th anniversary. Listed below are just a few of the programs and special events that will be offered to scouts and leaders in honor of the 100th anniversary.

Geocaching “Get In the Game!”: Put simply, it's a high-tech treasure hunt. Players use coordinates given to them and seek out hidden containers, called "caches" or "geocaches,” using GPS navigation devices. Each container has a prize inside of it. It's fun, challenging, and interesting for individuals and patrols.

Discontinued Merit Badges: Over the years, Scouting has discontinued many merit badges that did not fit the program or needs of its scouts anymore. Some of these badges include Signaling, Stalking, Electricity, Marksmanship, and Seamanship. CFL will offer several discontinued merit badges as special programs throughout the summer.

A Year of Celebration, A Century of Making a Difference: One of the core programs of the national 100th anniversary celebration, this program looks to involve every scout, adult leader, and scouting alum in celebrating the 100th anniversary of scouting. It will help to engage individuals in fun activities and reward them for their contributions to scouting. While CFL cannot offer the opportunity to complete each requirement, it will offer as many camp related requirements to scouts and leaders.

The CFL 100 Campaign: Troops and patrols with have the opportunity to select and participate in, up to, 100 activities that
will benefit their patrol, troop, CFL and/or surrounding camp community. Service projects and patrol/troop activities will be the
main focus of the program. Participants will be recognized at the closing campfire.

CFL Challenge

On Wednesday morning troops will assemble at flags. After the flag ceremony patrols will compete in the CFL Challenge. This is a series of events that will take place in the different program areas around camp. Each event will be scored and the event will end with a camp wide meal behind the staff kitchen. The winning patrol will be announced and prizes will be allocated. The prizes allocated are directly related to the Friday Night Event. Patrols will want to work hard on Wednesday so that they earn the necessary supplies for the Friday Night Event.

Chapel

Wednesday evening at 7:15 troops will assemble at flags for our weekly chapel service. After flags, everyone will be led to our camp chapel. Directly after chapel the Order of the Arrow callout ceremony will begin. The chapel may be used during the week by troops wanting to do their own service or by Scouts for personal refection. Please remember to be courteous to other they may be using it at the same time.

Friday Night Event

At 2:00pm Friday afternoon, the final camp wide event will begin.Senior Patrol Leaders and Patrol Leaders will be briefed throughout the week on what everyone will have to know to participate in this event.
Patrols will work together to accomplish a series of challenges and tasks to complete the event. Other than that, not much more information can be given. It’s a surprise! The event will include a pig roast for dinner and will go until about 8:00pm Friday night, closing with an extravagant campfire.
The Friday Night pig roast dinner will begin with camp wide flags at 5:45pm. Visitors wanting to join us for the Friday night festivities should plan to arrive at camp by 5:30pm. All visitors must check in at the main office.

Adult Trainings

One of our goals at CFL is to help adult leaders get the essential training that is required to run a beneficial Scouting program. Here is a list of some of the trainings we offer at camp.

• Safe Swim Defense
• Safety Afloat
• Cub Scout Leader Position Specific Training (During Webelos Resident Sessions)
  
• Scoutmaster and ASM Specific Training
  
• Archery Range Officer
• Climb On Safely
• Youth Protection
• Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills
• NRA Certification Class

Please Note - Because we wish to offer the highest quality trainings within council, certain trainings may have no flexibility, due to the availability of council trainers, and may only be available on one select day. Please reference this website, as camp nears, to access an up to date schedule of training events at CFL.

SM/ASM Specific Leader Training and Outdoor Leader Skills are NOW on the Online MB Registration running on this website. Your Adults may sign up in advance to attend these courses or may register when they arrive at Camp!

Attention Golfers!

Camp Freeland Leslie Open – CFL is offering adults (leaders and parents) the opportunity to play a round of golf while at camp this summer. Adult Golf is scheduled for every Tuesday morning at Thal Acres Golf Course just a few miles from CFL.

This is your opportunity to get away for a few hours and play a relaxing yet challenging round of golf while your Scouts are busy working on Merit Badges and their other activities.

Who: All adult leaders and parents
What: 18 holes w/cart
When: Directly following the morning leaders meeting, approximately 9:45 am
Where: Thal Acres Golf Course (Par 69, Rating 66.5, Slope 114)
Equipment: Please bring your own clubs and shoes. Rentals are available for $12.00. Proper golf attire is required

Provisional Scoutmaster Program

Be Scoutmaster for Scouts that want to have the summer camp experience but do not have a troop coming up to camp. There are two ways to be a provisional Scoutmaster. First you can open your campsite and troop to a Scout or two. Add them to a patrol in your troop and make them feel like they are part of your troop. The leaders of the troop will take on the parental guardianship of the Scouts. The responsibility is the same as if the provisional Scouts were members of your troop. The second way to be a Provisional Scoutmaster is to volunteer for a whole week of summer camp for a troop made up of provisional Scouts.  If you are interested in either of these opportunities please contact the camp director or program director.

Other Adult Opportunities

Camp is always looking for people with special skills. If you would like to volunteer some time using your trade or hobby skills please let us know. Our camp ranger has a list of projects and is always willing to use people whose professions are related to the work that need to be done at camp.

Adult patrols are always welcomed to participate in camp wide events. Patrols in your troop love seeing their leaders do the things they are doing, especially when the leaders are struggling too. If any adult patrols would like to participate they can sign up at the leaders meeting on Sunday.

We are always looking for adults to assist with large merit badge classes. If you would like to help teach or just assist one of our merit badge counselors please fill out the Adult Volunteer Interest form which can be located in the Forms & Fliers Section of this site.

The order of the Arrow is the national camping honor society of the Boy Scouts of America. Lowaneu Allanque will have a representative at camp to coordinate the Order of the Arrow program at camp. We hope to see many Arrowmen participating in the Lodge activities at camp. The following is the weekly program schedule for the Order of the Arrow at camp.

Any ordeal members looking to seal their membership in the lodge can do so on Tuesday by going through their brotherhood. You must be a current dues paid member of Lowaneu Allanque to do your brotherhood. You may pay the 2009 dues at camp or go to the lodge website www.lowaneuallanque.org and print off the 2009 membership renewal form and mail it in along with a check. All members interested must meet at the nature center at 12:15. There is a fee of $15 for doing your brotherhood. This fee covers the cost of the brotherhood sash.

On Wednesday evening the Order of the Arrow will do its call out ceremony for its new candidates. The ceremony will take place after the chapel service with an approximate starting time of 8:00. If you are looking to come up to camp on Wednesday to do your ordeal you should plan on arriving by 6:00 pm. Please call ahead to make sure your visit is properly arranged. When you arrive check in at the office. Dinner Wednesday night will not be provided so please eat a hearty meal on your way to camp.

Scouts doing their ordeal at camp should be prepared to make up merit badge work. A Scout should talk to their merit badge counselor on Monday so they can set up a time to make up the work that the Scout will miss on Thursday. If a Scout does not know that he is being called out then it is the responsibility of the Scoutmaster to talk with the merit badge counselors. In some cases doing your ordeal at camp may result in a Scout receiving a partial on a merit badge. It will take some extra work and planning on the side of the Scout in order to complete their ordeal and all their merit badges. Be prepared and plan ahead.

The cost for doing your ordeal at camp is $55.00. This includes one ordeal sash, the Order of the Arrow handbook, your $20 2010 lodge dues, and a lodge pocket patch to be worn on your uniform. This fee also includes a free brotherhood ceremony if you do your brotherhood conversion within one year from the time you do your ordeal.

There will also be a $5.00 on site registration fee. Please register for your ordeal before you arrive at camp so that the best experience can be arranged. The ordeal ceremony will take place Thursday night. Participants and all lodge members should meet at the top of heart attack hill, by the campsite Saratoga at 9:15pm. This is a private ceremony to order of the arrow members only. The ceremony will be done by 10:00pm. For those that came up on Wednesday just to do your ordeal, you are more than welcome to spend the night at camp. Make sure to let us know when you call ahead. The lodge cracker barrel will be at 10:00pm Thursday night at the nature center. All new members who went through their ordeal and current lodge members are welcomed.

Order of the Arrow Camping Award

This award can be earned by any troop which camps at summer camp. There are two requirements.

1. Your troop must attend a week long summer camp.
2. 60% of a troop’s registered youth members must attend summer camp.

If your troop meets these requirements it can earn the Order of the Arrow Camping Award. While at camp ask the Order of the Arrow camp coordinator or the program director about this award.

For more information about our Order of the Arrow Lodge #41 Lowaneu Allanque, please visit our OA Website by clicking on the photo below.