Trailblazer is designed especially for first-year campers.  This program is designed to help advance Scout and Tenderfoot youth to the next rank.  Updates are available daily for Scoutmasters (or Assistants) who want to closely track their boys' progress.  We strongly encourage Scoutmasters to spend a morning or afternoon in the Trailblazer area as additional instructors.  At the end of the week a list of completed requirements is given to each participant's Scoutmaster.

When a boy returns to his troop, his experience in the Trailblazer program may serve as a catalyst for increased interest in Scouting, camping, and summer camp.  Trailblazer is often seen as a jumpstart for a boy beginning the Eagle Trail.

Trailblazer provides hands-on experience with the basic Scouting skills.  Skills taught include: knots and ropework, woods tools, cooking and fire safety, first aid, map and compass work, fitness, and nature.

There will be an orientation for all scouts participating in Trailblazer on Sunday evening immediately following the waterfront orientation.  At least one adult from each troop should also attend this session.   Boys should bring their (updated) Handbooks with them so they can be placed into patrols to work towards the appropriate rank.  One counselor will work with each patrol.

During the three morning activity periods, each scout will spend two hours in Scoutcraft and one hour at the waterfront.  Boys who are ready will work on the Swimming merit badge; learners and beginners will have swimming instruction.  If a boy has already earned the Swimming merit badge, he may select another waterfront merit badge.  Please note his choice on the troop merit badge pre-registration form and also indicate that he has Swimming or an alternate Eagle-required badge. 

This year we will not be conducting the Trailblazer overnight based on feedback from Scoutmasters.  If your first year Scouts still need  Tenderfoot requirement #2 (…Sleep in a tent you have helped pitch), they should come to camp with a tent and satisfy this requirement in the Troop’s campsite.       

This year we will be offering the First Aid Merit Badge at 2:00. This may be an option for some of your first year Scouts who want to earn an extra merit badge at camp.

Day                Tenderfoot                                  Second Class

Monday
                        Welcome                                    Welcome
                        Team-Building  Games            Team-Building Games
                        Intro to program                         Intro to program
                        Oath & Law                                Other games
                        Intro to patrol method
                        Patrol name & yell

Tuesday
                        Safe hiking                                Flags
                        Knots (half hitch, tautline)        Safe hiking
                        Oath & Law                               Map symbols and skills

Wednesday
                        Totin’ Chip                                5 mile hike
                        Firem’n Chit                             Animal identification

Thursday
                        First Aid                                    Totin’ Chip
                        Hiking safety review                 Firem’n Chit
                        Flags

Friday
                        Ropes                                        Review
                        Review                                       Closing activities
                        Closing activities
 

Notes:  This schedule is tentative and will be adapted to each group’s needs.
Team-building games and activities are included each day.