Introduction David Comstock Memorial: Weekend On Ropes Leader s Guide The David Comstock Memorial: Weekend On Ropes (WOR) is an excellent opportunity to expose your scouts to the fun and adventure of climbing activities in the Westark Area Council. The event was started by David Comstock who worked to provide council level climbing program in the Westark Area Council outside of summer camp. The event is located at Camp Orr where there are numerous climbing and rappel sites available. Program Overview WOR provides scouts and adult leaders with the opportunity to climb and rappel at a variety of sites located on the Camp Orr property under the guidance and supervision of trained climbing instructors. While sites change year to year as we look to add variety to the program, some of the sites that may be open include: Ranger s Bluffs - a 40 rappel located behind the Ranger s house, Pancake Party - a beginners rappel located behind the dining hall, The Crack - a challenging climb up a crack in the bluff located behind the dining hall, and Gar Hole - the 230 rappel located across the river. The 35 climbing tower is open every year and is a required rappel/climb for first time participants to give them confidence and instruction in climbing and rappelling technique. WOR provides the helmets, harnesses, ropes, and hardware required for units to participate in all program areas. The units are responsible for the following items during WOR: Camping Equipment Water Bottles Leather Gloves - These will receive a lot of abuse and should be made of thick and quality leather Food Scouts participate in the program as a unit and decide which sites they would like to experience. Some sites are advanced and require that participants have a certain level of rappelling experience in order to ensure their safety. They will be able to fulfill any experience requirements at WOR. Signing-up
Sign your unit up for WOR either by registering through www.westarkbsa.org or by filling out the attached registration form and mailing it along with your registration fees to the Westark Area Council Office at: 1401 Old Greenwood Rd. Ft. Smith, AR 72901 Check-in Documents and Procedures Check-in will be set up in the Hogan OA Lodge located across the road from the dining hall. When checking-in, unit leaders must provide an Annual BSA Health and Medical Record and Parental Consent Form for all youth participants. At check in, unit leaders will receive the unit s campsite location, participant t-shirts, information regarding site locations, and confirmation of start times. Your unit may bring unit climbing gear (e.g. helmets and harnesses). These must be presented to staff for initial inspection during the check-in procedures. Please note: Climbing staff have the authority to not allow any piece of gear for use at WOR at any time. Ex: A harness is approved during it s initial inspection at check-in but an instructor running a site the next day feels that there is a problem with the harness, has the authority to require use of a different harness for the remainder of WOR. Don t have unit climbing gear? No problem! WOR has an inventory of all the helmets, harnesses, and hardware required to participate and will have them available at each program site. Program Outline Friday 6pm: Arrival Please make sure you bring copies of the BSA Annual Health and Medical Form for every participant including adult leaders and the Parental Consent form for all youth participants. Saturday 8am: Opening flag and program information in front of dining hall 9:30am: Program Areas Open 12pm: Lunch - Program Areas will remain open. Sack lunches participants can eat at or in route to program areas are encouraged. 3pm: Program Area Line Cut Off Starts - areas with wait times of 2 hours 4:30: Program Areas Begin to shut down after running end of line
5pm: All Program Areas Close Sunday 8am: Select Program Areas Open 10am: Program Area Line Cut Off Starts - areas with wait times of 1.5 hours 11am: Program areas begin to shut down after running end of line 11:30am: All program areas closed 12pm: Check-out Participant Gear List Camping Gear Non-baggy clothing Rain Gear Light Jacket or Wind Breaker Leather Gloves Water Bottle Day Pack Personal First Aid Kit Flash light Glo Sticks (for Night Rappels at the Tower)
David Comstock Memorial: Weekend On Ropes October 11-13, 2013 Camp Orr By 08/15/2013: $30.00 After 08/15/2013: $35.00 Experience the beauty of Camp Orr while hanging from a rope! Rappelling and Climbing opportunities ranging from beginner to extreme! Build your confidence on the 30ft climbing tower and challenge yourself with Gar Holes 230ft rappel or The Crack s lay back climb! Visit www.westarkbsa.org or contact Pettus Kincannon at pettus.kincannon@gmail.com for more information! Please return this form and registration fee too: David Comstock Memorial: Weekend on Ropes Westark Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1401 Old Greenwood Road Fort Smith, AR 72901 Unit # Unit Leader: Address: City: State: ZIP: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Email: # of Participants: Total Registration Fees: 1-6801-936-20
Participant Name T-shirt Size Youth or (Youth & Adult) Adult Ex: Jonny Tenderfoot Medium Youth Attach Extra Sheets As Needed