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Frequently Asked QuestionsOckanickon Scout Reservation |
2008 Program and Leader Guide
The below list is my no means exhaustive but draws entirely from questions that have been asked.
By Appointment Merit Badges
Q: Are By Appointment badges still offered, I don't see them on the Master
Schedule?
A: By Appointment merit badges are no longer listed on the Master Schedule
as many Scouts saw them and did not know that By Appointment merit badge requirements
were to be completed before meeting with the instructor. By Appointment badges
are still offered and can be found under the individual department schedules at
ockanickon.org/guide/depts.html.
Campsites
Q: Does OSR require advance notice if a unit plans on bringing a trailer?
A: No advanced notice is required assuming the trailer is of a reasonable
size, is properly parked and has no vehicle attached to it during the week.
Check-In
Q: How long is it from arrival to swim test? When can parents leave?
A: If a unit isn’t otherwise delayed, swim tests take place within about
an hour of arrival depending on medical form rechecks. Parents may leave at
any time and must leave before 7:00 PM but are recommended to stay until med-rechecks
are finished.
Dan Beard
Q: Can we chance our DB number after submitting our roster?
A: Yes, if you change the number, please tell us at questions@ockanickon.org
to ensure we have enough staff.
Q: Do we need to indicate which Scouts on our roster are participating
in Dan Beard?
A: No, the Dan Beard area is concerned simply with having enough staff.
Once the program begins, collecting names and troop numbers is one of the first
Dan Beard activities.
Q: What happens if one of the boys enrolled in the Dan Beard program can't
swim or is not a strong enough swimmer to complete the swimming merit badge?
A: Instructional swim is offered as an alternative to Scouts not quite ready
for Swimming Merit Badge.
DROP (Delaware River Outdoor Program)
Q: How will vehicles get back from drop off point?
A: DROP drivers will not be participants in the program so once the drop-off
is complete, the drivers will return to camp.
Q: Are listed DROP costs additional or total costs of the program?
A: The prices listed for DROP are total costs. Scouts do not have to
pay both the DROP and regular camp fee.
Facilities
Q: What are the hours of the camp shower facilities?
A: Adult Male Showers-Behind Palmer Lodge: 24 hours a day (except
during cleaning)
Adult Female Showers-Behind the Health Lodge near the Rifle Trail: 24 hours
a day (except during cleaning)
Youth Showers-At the pool: 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM (except during cleaning)
Q: If a unit wishes to do a service project is there a list of available
projects?
A: There is no posted list of available projects. Units interested
in doing a service project can see the Maintenance Director or Ecology Director
to plan a camp project.
Food Services
Q: Are advanced copies of the menu available?
A: No. Due to possible changes due to causes ranging from equipment difficulties
to delivery issues the meal menus can change quickly making posted menus inaccurate.
Q: Are there alternate food options for Scouts will allergies?
A: Scouts with allergies must clearly indicate all food allergies on their
camp physical forms. If a Scout does so, our Health Staff will take
care of arranging alternate food options with the Dining Hall Staff. Once
this is arranged, it is the responsibility of the Scout to get the alternate meals
from the kitchen.
Q: One of our Scouts has a severe peanut allergy and cannot eat in the
Dining Hall, what alternative are there?
A: Scouts with severe allergies can have their meals packaged for consumption
in their campsite. Please make sure the extent of the allergy is known by
the Health Officer so this alternative can be arranged. It will be the responsibility
of your unit leadership to see that this meal is picked up from the kitchen and
brought to your Scout.
Q: One of our Scouts is a picky eater, can he bring food to be stored
in the camp refrigerators?
A: The food service refrigerators observe strict standards for storage and
usage, and an outside cooler cannot be stored there. The refrigerator in the
Health Lodge is for medications that have storage requirements and for the staff
that works there (sometimes they don't get to leave for meals.) Scouts still
wishing to bring a cooler can purchase ice at the Trading Post.
General Program
Q: When do Scouts sign up for badges?
A: Merit badge sign-ups are not required except for Horseback Riding, Photography,
and Golf. Scouts sign-up for badges by arriving on Monday to the session of
that badge they'd like to take during the week with a completed merit badge card
as well as any completed pre-requisites.
Q: How long does it take to move between program areas?
A: It takes approximately 10 minutes to go from Science to Eagle at a brisk
walk and 5 minutes from the Dining Hall to either Eagle or Science. To go
from Shooting Sports to Aquatics can take in excess of 20 minutes. Please
plan accordingly.
Q: Are merit badge cards provided or does the unit need to provide their
own?
A: Ockanickon recommends that units complete merit badge cards before arrival
so unit leaders can ensure cards are properly completed and Scout’s are attempting
appropriate badges. Should a unit need additional cards, they are available
as a free courtesy in the camp office.
Q: Can Ockanickon provide merit completion summaries to units?
A: At this time, no. As our departments become more electronically
integrated, we hope to offer this in the future.
Q: One of our Scouts has a partial from another camp, what can he do to
complete the badge at OSR?
A: If the badge is offered at OSR, the Scout should visit the department
head for the department that offers the badge to either arrange time to complete
the missing requirements or to find out when those requirements are done during
program time. Please remember that it is totally the prerogative of the department
head to accept or deny a partial and that the department is completely within their
rights to ask for a demonstration of completed skills before continuing.
Q: Do pre-requisites need to be verified by a merit badge instructor?
A: No, a Scout needs to bring proof of completion. Complete details
of this can be found here.
Handicraft
Q: Fingerprinting and Textiles are listed in multiple slots on the schedule,
what should a Scout do to complete each badge?
A: Each badge completed during a single of its respective evening session.
Each individual badge can be completed during the day in two sessions as marked
on the schedule. A Scout need only complete the evening session, or the pair
daytime sessions to complete the badge.
Master Schedule
Q: A merit badge is listed twice on the master schedule, does a Scout
have to attend both sessions to complete a merit badge?
A: A Scout chooses a single time that badge is offered and attends that session
throughout the week. Scouts must attend the same session daily unless they
consult with the instructor.
Order of the Arrow
Q: What's required for Ockanickon to do a call-out for our unit?
A: Units interested in having a call-out done at camp must contact the OA
Camp Chief to arrange a ceremony during the week of their stay or the Program Director
before the season starts. The unit must also provide a letter of permission
from their lodge permitting Ajapeu Lodge #33 to do the ceremony. Ceremonial
team members may not always be available and ceremonies are conditional on their
availability.
Rafting
Q: Has River Country rafting replaced OSR run raft trips?
A: Yes. River Country provides a vastly wider array of river options
as well as superior transportation. While the cost is higher than the "free"
previously charged, the labor and money put into maintaining rafts and vehicles
has been into original programs like DROP.
Q: When should our unit register for and raft trip and with whom?
A: As soon as you have firm numbers for a raft trip contact
Bucks County River Country.
Don't forget about the discounted rates for Ockanickon listed on the
Offsite and Extended Program page.
Registration
Q: The roster form indicates that we need proof of Troop insurance.
We have insurance through the council. Is that sufficient?
A: If your troop’s insurance is provided through the council, no proof of
insurance is required. Most councils around OSR fit into this category, if
you’re not sure, please check with your council.
Q: One of our Scouts is only staying part of the week, is there a reduced
cost for his stay?
A: No. Camper fees are not normally adjustable based on stay as it's
impossible to adjust program and food costs to reflect a one person change.
An exception is made for adults in units typically replace a leaving leader with
another leader.
Small Boat Sailing
Q: What type of boat is used?
A: 22-foot Sailcraft Sailboat.
Q: Where does Sailing take place?
A: Lake Nockamixon.
Q: What's required for evening sailing?
A: All participants must have completed a swim test and at least one member
of the group must have Small Boat Sailing or otherwise prove seacraft competence.
