Campwide Programs
Knight Training, 4:30-6 p.m., Flag Poles - All sessions
Move from station to station as you prepare to earn the right to be a Knight in King Arthur’s court. Those that complete this tournament will be Knighted by King Arthur.
Quest for Excaliber, 7:45-9 p.m., Flag Poles - All session except 3 Day Webelos
Locate the legendary Excaliber. Excaliber has been destroyed! Pieces have been hidden all over Independence Kingdom. Search for pieces with the clues provided – Knight Training cannot be complete without the Sword.
Star Gazing, 9:30-10:30 p.m., King Arthur’s Castle (Fort) - All Sessions
Weather permitting, join us for a look at the night sky and learn about stars, galaxies and the Milky Way – earn the Astronomers Belt Loop.
Closing Campfire, 7:45-8:30 p.m., Council Circle - All sessions
After dinner join us in a joyous celebration at the closing campfire. Participate and watch the staff perform in this great event.
Flag Ceremonies
Each day at camp, we will have a flag raising ceremony at 7:45 a.m. All campers will attend this ceremony with the rest of the members of their Unit. We also have a flag lowering ceremony each day at 6:15 p.m. for the entire camp. Everyone should wear as complete of a Scout uniform as possible for flag lowering and the evening meal.
- Packs that want to sign up to help with a flag ceremony should do so in the Program Hall. Staff will be available to help with training. With 16 flags including the 13 colonies there is plenty of opportunity!
Honor Necklaces
On the first day in camp, each Scout and adult will make their own Honor Necklace. The rounder, beads and claws will take on special meaning. In addition, returning Scouts may transfer their beads and claws from previous years.
Leader Meetings
In order to share important information and answer leader questions, we will be having a unit leaders’ meeting each day (except check-out day) in camp. We will meet at 7:15 p.m. in the Program Hall to review the day and discuss tomorrow’s activities.
Boy Scout Camp Hike
Second year Webelos may hike to one of the Boy Scout Camps. You may select either Freedom or Liberty, not both. You will be provided with a lunch at the Boy Scout camp. The hike will take all morning and part of the afternoon, you must forfeit a few other scheduled
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Aquatic Adventure
The Aquatic Adventure Area is designed to test a Scout’s “Endurance and Courage” as they focus on activities surrounding Lake Courage and in Independence Cove. Please note that most activities require taking the National BSA swimming ability test. This test will classify you at a particular swimming ability level. Certain activities in this area require specific swimming ability levels.
Cub Scout Activities
- Huck Finn Raft: Paddle our 20-person plus raft around the lake just like Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer did.
Cub Scout and Webelos Activities
- Swimming: Learn some new water games, or try to enhance your skills to increase your ability level
- Row Boating: Use one of our camp row boats to paddle around Lake Courage
- Fishing Piers: Try to catch the big one from the shores of Independence Cove, or from one of our four fishing piers. There is a camp competition for the largest fish caught throughout the week
Basic Rules
- All waterfront activities will take place in authorized areas under the direct supervision of the Aquatics staff. Anyone violating this rule will be dismissed from camp immediately
- The use of all watercraft is restricted to when staff has opened the beach and proper supervision is present
- If the waterfront is closed, no one is to walk on the beach or go through the perimeter.
- The Buddy System will be used at all times
Fishing Guidelines and Policies
- No live bait, except worms
- Fishing is not permitted in or near any swimming or boating areas. Lines should not
be cast toward the swimming area ropes, or flotation device
Fishing is not permitted from canoes, funoes or swimming and boating docks - No casting from piers - only drop line fishing
- The trading post sells bait and fishing supplies
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Ecology Adventure
The Ecology Adventure Area is designed to test a Scout’s “Knowledge and Honor” as they participate in adventures in the outdoors.
Cub Scout Activities
- Bouldering: Practice the art of Bouldering on our bouldering wall before you test your skills on our bouldering course.
Cub Scout and Webelos Activities
- Nature: Introduce yourself to the natural world of Camp Independence on our exciting nature hike and in our outdoor laboratory
- Mini Golf: Practice your putting on our mini golf course (free time activity)
- Check out our collection of animals and reptiles in our very own zoo
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Outback Adventure
The Outback Adventure Area is designed to test a Scout’s “Survival and Energy” as they participate to learn the basics of camping in the outdoors and survival. The Scouts will also have their energy and enthusiasm tested as they take the physical challenges of the Outback.
Cub Scout and Webelos Activities
- Sports: Time is scheduled to enjoy a variety of athletic sports such as soccer, basketball, volleyball and softball
- Frisbee Golf: Test your coordination and accuracy as you enjoy a friendly game of Frisbee golf on our very own course (free time activity)
- Sponge War: join us at Fort Washington for a wet and wild adventure testing your agility, and reflexes in an all out wet and wild sponge war!
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Frontier Adventure
The Frontier Adventure Area is designed to test a Scout’s “Skill and Marksmanship” as they are introduced to range activities including safety, accuracy and positioning.
Cub Scout Activities
- Rock Throwing: The ONLY place you can put your rock throwing skills to the test
Cub Scout and Webelos Activities
- BB Gun: Hit the bull’s eye on the paper target while learning proper safety and operation
- Archery: Learn how to safely use archery equipment and shoot at stationary targets.
- BB Sports Beltloop: Test their marksmanship skills and learn safe shooting while completing requirements to earn the BB Sports Beltloop
Area Rules
- You must ask permission to enter all ranges and trails
- A red flag means that someone is present and ready to let you enter. No red flag means that a staff member has not arrived, or is not ready.
- Wait for the red flag to be raised before asking permission to enter
- Do not cross deadlines located around camp. These are indicated by bright-colored surveyors tape tied to twine
- The Rock Throwing Range is the ONLY location in camp where rocks can be thrown
- Do not bring any of your own equipment to camp. You will not be permitted to use it
- Always wear eye protection
- Keep equipment aimed down range at all times
- No running
- No candy
- Be respectful
- Do not dry fire
- No shooting of animals
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Advancement Opportunities
During each camp session, there will be opportunities for advancement. Scouts can choose from a variety of advancements below. Staff members will lead Scouts in learning with a twist of fun.
Advancement Signup
Signup for advancement online or during check-in at camp. Selections are to be made no later than the leaders’ meeting immediately following your first dinner at camp to allow staff time to prepare materials.
Offered in Program Areas
All Ranks
- Archery Belt Loop – An introduction to Archery. Learn about shooting and safety.
- Astronomy Belt Loop – Explore the world of stars and planets. Learn about telescopes and what can be seen with them.
- BB Shooting Belt Loop – An introduction to safety rules and how to shoot.
- Swimming Belt Loop – Learn about swimming safely and using the buddy system. Play a water game with other Scouts.
- Wildlife Conservation Belt Loop - Natural resources, food chains and endangered species. Make a plaster cast of an animal track too.
Offered During Advancement Time - every day
All Ranks
- Fishing Belt Loop – Learn to bait a hook, give fishing a try and regulations and safety.
- Geology Belt Loop & Pin - Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Rocks you say? What are they and how are they made? Make a pet rock too.
- Map and Compass Belt Loop & Pin – All the ins and outs of finding your way with a map and compass. Learn about reading a map and what the signs mean. Learn how to make your own compass from a magnet and pin.
- Soccer Belt Loop – All the skills and rules and time to play a game too.
- Volleyball Belt Loop – All the skills and rules and time to play a game too.
- Tennis Belt Loop – All the skills and rules and time to play a game too.
- Ultimate Frisbee Belt Loop – All the skills and rules and time to play a game too.
Scouts may not be able to complete all the requirements at camp. A report of what each Scout completes will be available upon checkout.
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