Troop 263 at Hidden Valley

Preparations For A Successful Check In:

Troops are asked to make every effort to carpool, use vans or any means of transportation to consolidate the number of Vehicles your Unit brings to camp.  Parking is VERY limited and we are trying to reduce the traffic impact at camp and on the residential roads around the camps. 

Directions To Camp:

You are asked to follow this route to get to camp:

Take Route 93 North to exit 20.  At the end of exit go straight through lights onto Rout 140 east towards Belmont to Gilmanton.

You will be traveling East on Route 140.  After crossing Route 107 go 6.3 miles on Route 140 and turn left onto Crystal Lake Road.  As you turn on to this Road you will come to a fork – bear LEFT and travel 3 miles.  Turn Right onto Places Mill Road (dirt road).  Travel ½ mile and turn left into the Griswold Scout Reservation Entrance. 

Follow the internal signs for Hidden Valley.  When you come to a fork in the road bear left down the hill to the main parking area.  It’s about a mile into the parking area from the entrance. 

When should we arrive:

Troops are given scheduled times to arrive between 1:00 and 2:00 on Sunday.  Our Site is the “Magee” Camp Site and our start time is 2:00.  Please make every effort to be ready to go with the troop for tours, pictures, etc BY 2:00 – there is a lot to do when you arrive and late arrivals will delay everything the troop needs to get done. 

You are suggested to arrive about 1:40 pm on Sunday so you and your scout can carry his gear into our campsite area. 

Unloading Gear and Setting Up:

DO NOT start to set up his tent – there just isn’t time for that when you arrive.  He will have time later that evening.  Have the scout’s Day Pack ready with a flashlight, Towel, water bottle; simple snacks any meds he will need at camp and a copy of his health form (just in case the camp lost the one we sent in), cards, book to read or something to do when we are waiting, money. 

If your scouts personal gear is either too large or too heavy to carry, such as large trunks or extra large duffle bags, you may place those items behind the “Magee” camp sign over at Carter Lodge on the Left side of the Dining hall.  A Vehicle will at some time during the day deliver these items to the entrance of the campsite.  PLEASE if you are using this method of equipment delivery ALL items should have the Scouts Name, Troop 263 and MAGEE Camp Site clearly marked on every item. 

Checking in your scouts Meds:

Parents are asked to stop at the Health Lodge and check in their scout’s medications for the week – including EPI pens and Inhalers the scout will carry on his person – these will be given right back to you for your scout once they are checked in.  Remember too if you can bring an extra Epi pen and/or Inhaler to leave at the nurses office just in case your scout should loose the one he is carrying.

Our Scouts day begins at 2:00 Sharp:

The Scout should report to the Parade Field between the Trading Post and the Administration Building at 2:00 sharp.  A camp staff member who will guide us through the rest of the afternoon will be waiting for us to start the day.  There will be a lot of “hurry up and wait” happening at this time.  Your scout should have his FULL Class “A” Uniform on (Tan Shirt, Green Pants/shorts, Neckerchief) with his bathing suit worn under his pants to save time later at swim testing. 

During this time all scouts and adults staying at camp will be given a wristband to wear.  This is their ticket to the dining hall for the week.  It also indicates that they should be at camp.  Scouts and adults MUST wear them at all times.

Sunday Schedule:

2:00 pm – 5:40pm  – Unit Tours Led by Staff – we need everyone there before we can start the tour – so if you are late we will start without you.  This may mean you miss your swim testing and troop photos.

4       Parents may depart at any time from this point forward.

4       Orientation of Camp

4       Campsite Orientation and Safety

4       Swim Checks

4       Troop Pictures

4       Leaders check in with Reservation Support services to verify rosters, get wrist bands, check health forms, and settle any unpaid accounts

4       Dining Hall Orientation

5:45pm – 6:00 pm – Opening Flags (upper parade field in front of Dining Hall – Full CLASS “A” Uniforms required) Departure after opening flags for parents still in attendance at camp.

6:00 pm – 6:45 pm – Dinner at the Dining Hall

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Waterfront & Safety Demo and campfire at Main waterfront – All scouts MUST attend.

8:00 pm – 8:30 pm – All Faiths Service at lower parade field between trading post and administration building in front of pond.  Our troop always attends this.

8:30 pm – 10:00 pm – Back at the campsite to set up our tents, unpack our gear, get ready for bed and relax.

10:00 pm  – TAPS – all scouts ready for sleep and in bed (every night).

Saturday Check out:

7:00 am – 8:00 am – Continental Breakfast for all

8:00 am – 8:50 am – All scouts should have all gear packed and tents cleaned up.  Large Gear should be by the roadside ready for pick up to be delivered to Carter Lodge area.  All other gear must be carried out to Parking Lot area.

9:00 am – 9:30 am – Closing Ceremony – Parents should be at camp by this time.

10:00 am – Dismissal – Please when you take your child to go home check out your scout with the troop leaders so they won’t be looking for him at the end of the day.