Mercer Area District 2017 Fall Camporee Information Packet Whitewater Rafting Plus October 6 to 8 Whitewater Challengers (WWC) 288 Stagecoach Rd Weatherly, PA Notes: Only those who have passed the First Class swimming requirements and/or the Boy Scout camp Swimmer status can participate in the rafting. This is a dam release weekend and the rafting should be especially good. The rapids are Class II and III. Waiver forms are required for everyone. Those forms for youth under 18 years old must be signed by a parent. Waiver form attached. Directions: From Route 80, Exit 273 in PA Travel west on Route 940 for 1/2 mile. Turn left onto Lehigh Gorge Drive. Go 4.8 miles and turn right onto Buck Mountain Road. Go 1 mile to first intersection. Turn right again onto North Stagecoach Road. Go 300 yards to the entrance on the right. It is about a two hour drive from Mercer County. Check-in: Scout units (Troops/Crews) arrive between 3:00 PM and 9 PM on Friday. Each unit will check in at the Scout table that is set up adjacent to the parking lot. The unit will be assigned a camping location based on the size of the unit as of September 29. Only the designated Scouter/leader and Senior Patrol Leader can check in the unit. Please have a roster of those attending with their areas of participation ready for check-in. Any unit not able to be at WWC by 9 PM should send in a roster ahead of time. Campsite: Units will be camping in sites at WWC that have a table and fire ring. Each unit must identify their campsite with a Troop banner, sign or gateway. Propane and liquid fuel stoves are allowed. Hot showers and rest rooms are available in the office area. Quiet hours (11 PM to 7 AM) are strictly enforced. ATV s, firearms, firecrackers, and rowdy or excessively noisy behavior are prohibited. No pets allowed. Cutting of trees is not permitted while camping in the Poconos. All camp fires must be in the fire ring provided at each camp site. Water: Potable water is available near the parking area. Plan to bring water jugs.
Meals: Meal preparation is the responsibility of the units. Prepared meals. Meals can be ordered in advance from the Whitewater Challengers website. Breakfast is $6.95 if pre-ordered; $7.95 on site. Lunch is $6.95 if pre-ordered, $7.95 on site. Dinner is $11.95 if pre-ordered, $13.50 on site. Please take care of ordering and paying for meals individually or by unit. Snack Bar. There is a snack area with breakfast and lunch food. Sample prices during our August visit, include: breakfast sandwich, $4.77; French toast sticks, $2.65; hot dog, $2.12; burgers, $6.89; chicken sandwich, $6.89. Dutch Oven Cook-off: Each Troop or Patrol may participate in the Dutch Oven Cook-off. Patrols/Troops may use any dessert recipe they wish, but it must be prepared and cooked in camp in a Dutch oven. One portion of the dessert/meal must be brought to the headquarters for judging on Saturday at 5 pm. Each entry must be marked with your Troop number and patrol name. The Dutch oven dessert will be judged based on taste, appearance and presentation. Participants may not be present during the judging. Campfire: Each troop or patrol should prepare a skit or song suitable for presentation at the campfire. Honor troop and Cook-off honors will be announced. Check-Out: Troops check out by 10:00 am on Sunday. All campsites will be inspected prior to check out. Each Troop must send a representative to the Scout table when they are ready for inspection. Once inspected, units will be checked out and given their patches. There is no closing ceremony on Sunday morning. Costs: The fee for rafting and camping is $64 per person. For adults who are not rafting, the price is $15. Fees are due by September 27 and sent to WCC BSA, at Washington Crossing Council, One Scout Way, Doylestown, PA 18901. Rosters: Send your final rosters that includes name, age (or A for adult over 21), rafting or not, and so on. See attached file. Refund Policy: Sorry, no refunds after Monday, September 26, 2017 Note: This is a public campground and open to the general public. Therefore, the Buddy System MUST be enforced at all times. Flush toilets and showers are located opposite the office and store. Please remember that you are Boy Scouts and keep these areas clean. Rafting: Updated information will be available at check-in. All rafters should report with their bagged lunch to the office area by 9 am on Saturday. There the rafters will be briefed by the Whitewater Challengers staff. Sets of rafters will be put on the water at the half-hour intervals assigned by WWC. Organize your group into paddling teams of 6 or 7 per raft. The time on the water will be five to seven hours depending on conditions. Equipment suggestions for rafters: Old sneakers (flip flops, loose-fitting sandals, crocs, and bare feet are not permitted) Bathing suit or shorts Change of clothes and shoes Eyeglass straps Suntan lotion and a cap or visor in summer Driver s license (if renting wet suits or waterproof paddling gear 1 license per 6 suits) Cash for souvenirs or wet suit rentals Light windbreaker (no hood) in mildly cold or rainy weather
Wet Suits: WWC has advised us not to have anyone sign up for wet suits until the day of the rafting because of the variables of air and water temperature. Total wet suits full suit, including booties, are $20. Lesser suits are available for $12. Other Activities: WWC offers kayaking and trail biking. Please take care of activities other than rafting by unit pre-trip with the WWC office. Be sure to tell them that you are camping with our Mercer Area District Camporee and that you want the rates for Boy Scout units.for rafting only, the $2 insurance fee is included in the Boy Scout rate; we were told that is not true for other activities. We were told that the 6% tax noted on the web site is not applicable for Boy Scout groups. Trail Biking. The WWC fee on the web site includes the bike, helmet, and water, as well as the shuttle to the Lehigh Gorge Trail. You can choose a 9 mile, 13.5 mile, or 22.5 mile trail ride. You can rent bikes or bring your own. Meet at The Adventure Center at Whitewater Challengers, and the WWC shuttle service will transport you and your bike to and from the trail. 9 Mile Trail Ride. Meet at the Adventure Center at Whitewater Challengers at 9am or 12pm. Bike from White Haven to Rockport, PA. Pick up times at Rockport are 11:30am and 2:30pm respectively. 13.5 Mile Trail Ride. Meet at the Adventure Center at Whitewater Challengers at 10:30am. Bike from Rockport to Glen Onoko (near Jim Thorpe, PA). Pick up time at Glen Onoko is 3pm. 22.5 Mile Trail Ride. Meet at the Adventure Center at Whitewater Challengers at 9am. Bike from White Haven to Glen Onoko (near Jim Thorpe, PA). Pick up time at Glen Onoko is 3pm. Other Activities at WWC: Sand volleyball & basketball courts Recreation field Waivers: A signed waiver form is required for each rafter. See attached form. Note that a parent signature is required for anyone under 18 years old. Copies of the waiver forms are available at, and can be completed at the Rafting Center the morning of your trip. However, you ll want to print, photocopy and complete in advance a form for any minor for whom no parent or legal guardian will be present to co-sign where indicated. WWC has provided below some information that might be helpful in addressing questions that may arise in relation to the waiver form. If there are other questions, please feel free to call WWC; they re always happy to help. Questions and Answers about Waivers Q: Must a parent or legal guardian co-sign for each minor (under 18) child? A: Yes. Q: How dangerous is whitewater rafting?
A: Whitewater rapids are defined from Class I (very mild) to Class VI (extremely difficult). We expect Class II and III rapids for this trip. The rafting is professionally guided, and following the rules and instructions offered by WWC contribute to greater success in managing the risks associated with river rafting. Clearly there are risks associated with all active outdoor sports, including rafting. A recent national study of customary (indoor and outdoor) activities, completed by the Business Research Division of the University of Colorado, found that statistically, commercially guided whitewater rafting is 70 times safer than automobile travel. Q: How long has Whitewater Challengers offered these activities and what has been their safety record? A: Whitewater Challengers first introduced whitewater rafting trips on the Lehigh River in 1975, and has provided guided tour services continuously for more than four decades, serving more than 1.6 million guests on more than 16 million miles of guided trips on whitewater rivers in Pennsylvania and New York, compiling a safety record that is the envy of the industry. Whitewater Challengers meets or exceeds the rigorous safety and training requirements established by state regulations for commercial rafting trips. Q: What kinds of injuries are most often associated with rafting trips? A: Bumps and bruises are the most common injury, and these can usually be avoided by adhering to the safety instructions offered prior to your trip. Most important among these instructions are: 1. Remain seated, with both legs inside the raft, even in calm sections of the river. 2. Do not dive into the river, either from the raft, or from shore. 3. If you must splash, use your hands; never the paddle. These and other easy-to-follow guidelines can help enhance the safety and enjoyment of your trip. Q: What other safety measure are taken on and off the river? A: Raft trips are accompanied by qualified, professional guides who are trained in First Aid and river safety techniques. Instruction and supervision are provided before and during your trip. First aid supplies and safety equipment accompany every trip. Last words: Souvenir Photos are available for purchase. It may get cool at night... wool hat, sweater, socks, gloves might be welcome. Remember... A Scout is... non-approved Scouting activities are not allowed. Questions to JHNester@aol.com or 609 933-8273 For updated information, check mad-bsa.org
2017 PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE (AN OFFICIAL SCHEDULE WILL BE ISSUED AT CHECK IN) FRIDAY, October 8th 3:00 10:00 PM Registration & Camp Set up 10:00 PM Leader s Meeting (SM & SPL) at Scout Table adjacent to the parking area 11:00 PM Taps Quiet in camp SATURDAY, October 9th 7:00 AM Reveille & Breakfast 8:30 AM Flag Ceremony and Announcements 9:00 AM Rafting trips will be assigned a time to leave. Those who are rafting should take a paper bag lunch. 5:30 PM Dutch Oven Submissions due 5:30 PM-7:00 PM Dinner 7:30 PM All Faith Service (There is a Roman Catholic Church in Weatherly, but I could not find service times.) 8:00 PM Campfire (Bring Camp Chairs) 11:00 PM Taps Quiet in Camp SUNDAY, October 10th 7:00 AM Reveille & Breakfast 8:00 9:00 AM Break Camp & Prepare for checkout 8:30 10:00 AM Site Inspection, Check Out and patch distribution