How to prepare and go
- 1Plan and book — pick the camp at annual planning; register the troop.
- 2Submit health forms — the Annual Health and Medical Record with the required physical.
- 3Sign up for merit badges and the first-year program for new scouts.
- 4Pack for a week — clothing, rain gear, essentials, swim gear.
- 5Take the swim test on arrival and follow camp aquatics rules.
- 6Live the week — classes, activities, patrol life, campfires — and advance.
Why it matters
- The biggest advancement and adventure opportunity of the scout year.
- Earning merit badges (including Eagle-required) with expert instruction — new scouts often work a First-Class-skills program.
- A full week of the patrol method and troop bonding.
Notes & safety
- Aquatics safety is paramount. Swimming and boating run under Safe Swim Defense / Safety Afloat, with a swim classification test and lifeguards — never swim outside those rules.
- Health form and medications — the Annual Health and Medical Record is required; medications are handled per camp policy by the health officer.
- Trained staff and accreditation — accredited camps provide trained staff and safe program areas; follow camp rules and the buddy system.
- Heat, sun, and hydration — a week outdoors means real sun and heat exposure; hydrate and use sun protection.
Going deeper
- The week scouts remember. Merit badges, the lake, the campfire, a week with the patrol — often the year's high point.
- New-scout fast track. Many camps run a first-year program that pushes new scouts toward First Class.
- Swim test on day one. Everyone takes the swim classification test at camp before hitting the water.
Official source
Scouts BSA — Scouting America →The aquatics and packing points are verified via their own pages. Accreditation, health-form parts, and first-year-program details are standard — confirm against current council/BSA camp materials. No medications or dosages appear here.