Offsite and Extended Activities

Ockanickon Scout Reservation
2008 Program and Leader Guide

Offsite and Extended Activities Basics

Offsite and Extended Activities go above and beyond normal camp program.  By working with other organizations, we can offer greater breadth of program not normally part of the summer camp experience all within the time you stay at Ockanickon.  These program opportunities may require equipment Ockanickon doesn’t have or expertise not normally part of our staff that are brought by outside staff.  All Offsite and Extended Activities maintain the program standards of Ockanickon and meet all BSA requirements for safety so you can confidently recommend Offsite and Extended Activities to your Scouts looking for unique experiences from their summer camp visit.

Many Offsite and Extended Activities are not new, while some are.  Please take the time to look for activities you think your Scouts will find worthwhile.

Scheduling and Participating in Offsite and Extended Activities

Offsite and Extended Activities do not fit into the regular program schedule the same way merit badges do.  Each activity is on a separate schedule that is listed individually with each activity.

Since these activities may overlap a number of other activities it is the responsibility of you and your Scouts to plan your activities conscientiously.  A key component to Character Building as an Aim of Scouting is decision-making.  If a Scout would like to participate in an activity that runs at the same time as another scheduled activity it is the responsibility of the Scout to both inform missed activity Instructor of their pending absence and to determine a time to receive missed instruction if possible.

Make-ups are not possible in all cases.  Some activities are exceedingly difficult to re-run such as experiments or guest speakers, so while Ockanickon staff will make reasonable efforts to allow for make-ups, it is the discretion of the Instructor to determine whether make-ups will be allowed and when.  Prior planning greatly reduces the possibility that one of your Scouts pursues two unrepeatable activities at the same time as does discussion with Instructors when two activities collide.

Overview of Activities

Click on any of the above activities to get more details about these special programs.

DROP (Delaware River Outdoor Program)

DROP is an advanced canoeing and outdoor skills program designed for experienced Scouts and Scouters.  DROP takes place on the Delaware River where participants will enjoy nearly a week of special program no available elsewhere including Leave No Trace camping, 54 miles of river canoeing and treks involving some of the Mid-Atlantic's richest natural and cultural sites.

Spots are still available for the 2008 DROP Program.

Time:  Sunday Evening to Thursday Afternoon
Cost per Scout:  Please see DROP registration form.
Transportation:  As provided by your unit, the camp will also need assistance in moving gear and canoes.
Participation Limit: Up to 20 each week unless special arrangements are made
Additional Information:  Participants must be physically and socially able to spend extended periods on the open water.  Few facilities will be available and Scouts must have a strong background in canoeing and swimming (we recommend having completed both Swimming and Canoeing merit badges.)
This program is open to Scouts and Scouters attending and participating with their units as well as provisional campers.
Detailed Program Information:  More information about DROP is available in a Printable Brochure and HTML Format Brochure.
Before You Come to Camp:  Each participant must complete a DROP registration form and we recommend brushing up on basic canoeing skills.

Golf

Now your Scouts can fulfill their dreams of getting Golf Merit Badge while camping at Ockanickon.  Fairways Golf Course in Warrington, PA serves host to Ockanickon’s Golf Program.  Scouts have the opportunity to get a sometimes hard to get merit badge in the span of a single afternoon.  This outing included basic instruction and a round of golf at Fairways and is available to youth as the merit badge program or to adults as a half-day excursion.

Time:  Tuesday 12:00 PM - 7:30 PM (approximate) Scouts must arrive at Fairways at 12:45PM.  If participation exceeds 20 Scouts, some participants will be shifted to Thursday.
Cost per Scout:  $45.00 (estimated, exact price pending), this includes greens fees, club rental, and lesson.  Participants must register by Monday Lunch.  If adults wish to play and provide their own equipment, please see http://www.fairwaysgolfclub.com for rates and fees.
Transportation:  As provided by your unit, carpooling may be available but is not guaranteed.
Participation Limit: The Tuesday session can support at most 20 Scouts.  Should there be more, a Thursday session will open to take the overflow.  If a unit specifically wants to do the Thursday session, please speak with the Program Director to make this arrangement.
Additional Information:  Get information about the greens and facilities at http://www.fairwaysgolfclub.com.
Before You Come to Camp:  Each participant must have clean golf attire to play.  This includes khaki shorts or pants, sneakers, and a polo shirt or better.  This is a spikeless golf facility, if you wish to bring your own shoes, remove the spikes or wear sneakers.  Also bring a wide-brimmed hat or visor, a water bottle, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is once again an activity option for your Scouts and provides an opportunity to get Horsemanship merit badge.  This sometimes demanding activity introduces Scouts to the world of equestrian activities few average youth get to experience.  Our partner, Rainbow Ridge Farm Equestrian Center, has tailored a program specifically for Scouts that meet the requirements of both the BSA and Horsemanship merit badge.

Time: MWF 2:00PM - 4:00PM (we recommend Scouts leave after B Lunch at 1:30 PM and not take a 4:00 PM activity)
Cost per Scout:  $55.00
Transportation:  As provided by your unit, carpooling may be available but is not guaranteed
Participation Limits: The participation limit is now 12.  Many leaders mentioned that this program was tough to plan for because of the lottery system and registration has been modified to the following:  The first 8 slots in a given week will be available through registration.  Registration can be done either by phone or email, only the camp coordinator can place reservations and reservations placed will result in a unit being financially responsible for that slot.  The remaining four slots and any further open slots will be determined normally through the lottery system.  Both reserved and lotteried Scouts must have transportation and Ockanickon strongly encourages car-pooling. Adults may participate if youth from their unit are registered or if there are open slots after the lottery.
Additional Information:  Get information about the facilities and horses at http://www.rainbowridgefarmequestriancenter.com/
Before You Come to Camp:   Bring long paints, sun glasses and a shoe with a small heel like a boot.  All participants must also complete a permission slip and release.

Unit Rafting and Tubing

Ockanickon has offered rafting and tubing in the past, but now Ockanickon has worked with Bucks County River Country to provide a superior open water experience on the Delaware River.  New opportunities include canoeing and kayaking as well as transportation provided by a premier outfitter.  Ockanickon has worked to get the best price possible for Scout units and we believe we’ve succeeded.  Ockanickon receives no income from Bucks County River Country.

Please download specifics of Scout unit pricing here

Time: Weekday trips beginning between 8:30 AM and 2:00 PM
Cost per Scout: +$12 depending on equipment choices
Transportation: As provided by your unit or for an additional cost by Bucks County River Country
Participation Limits: None, as determined by each unit.
Additional Information: Please contact Bucks County River Country with specific questions or visit BCRC on the web at: http://www.rivercountry.net.  Pricing for BCRC’s full range of river outing options is available at http://www.rivercountry.net/prices.html
Before You Come to Camp:  Each Scout participating in a BCRC must bring a signed copy of BCRC’s Release of Liability Form.

Onsite Underwater Program

Discover Scuba

Discover Scuba is a wonderful introduction to diving available to even the non-swimmer.  This program assembled by the Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) and instructed by O’Donnel Diving is open to all Scouts and adults and has been enjoyed even by Scouts who don’t normally enjoy the water.  When you take the air with you, it’s a lot harder to drown.
Time:  Tuesday from 7:15 to 8:30 or Thursday from 7:15 to 8:30
Cost per Scout:  $6 for each Scout or adult
Transportation:  Held at the Pool
Participation Limit: None.
Additional Information:  Participant does not need to pass a BSA swim test but must complete the Bubblemaker's Questionairre. This form must be signed by a parent or guardian so it is strongly recommend this is completed by anyone interested in participating.
Before You Come to Camp:  All participants must have a proper swim suit.  We also encourage, but do not require, Scouts to participate with a buddy.

Scuba BSA

Scuba BSA is a great underwater experience for Scouts looking for an expanded experience compared to Discover Scuba.  Scuba BSA offers significantly more time under water, at greater depth and with more expansive instruction into the fundamentals of Scuba diving.  This program constructed by National with assistance from PADI is also run by O’Donnel Diving and as always in organized and presented with competent and charismatic dive instruction.

Time:  offered Tuesday, Thursday or Friday, from 6:00 PM until finished.
Cost per Scout:  $40, covering all equipment and instruction
Transportation:  Held at the Pool
Additional Information:  Participants must pass BSA swim test. Download the entire Scuba BSA packet here.
Before You Come to Camp:  All participants must complete a brief medical questionnaire.  Download this questionnaire here.  Scuba BSA only requires completion of the 1st page.  If a potential participant is experiencing sinus problems during his stay at camp, he may have difficulty participating in this activity due to pressure changes.

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Ockanickon Scout Reservation Program and Leader Guide

Bucks County Council, Boy Scouts of America

Looking for a specific topic?  Try the Program and Leader Guide Index or the FAQs.  Direct questions about fees and registration to registration@ockanickon.org and program, facilities and all other questions to questions@ockanickon.org.