Camp Barstow High Adventure Programs
Mission – To retain Boy Scouts, Explorer Scouts, and Venturing Scouts, as they become older and more distracted, by offering a series of Higher Adventure Opportunities where they develop better Outdoor Living Skills as well as Leadership Skills beyond the level of that offered at a Troop, Post, or Crew Level. This will be accomplished by the following:
* Promoting self-confidence and independence through leadership opportunities within a cooperative community of campers
and knowledgeable staff, in a given adventure program.
* Teaching skill sets experientially through hands on training as well as practical experiences and lecture based sessions
throughout the given adventure program.
* Encouraging Teamwork to solve problems within the group; with guidance to be offered, not decisions made,
by the staff member(s) accompanying the given adventure program.
* Promoting respect for the natural environment through the understanding and practicing of the Leave No Trace Principles.
* Respecting the Individual for who he is and what he has to offer during the given adventure program.
Philosophy – The basic philosophy of the High Adventure Programs offered at Camp Barstow will be to follow
the Boy Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan for the entirety of the adventure program experience.
Target Audience – Boy Scouts, Explorer Scouts, and Venturing Scouts ages 14-21 or have completed the 8th grade.
Adventure Programs Offered – The Starred Programs are currently being offered and the remainder will occur on a rotation basis to where there is never more than 4 programs running during one summer.
Island War Canoe Trek *
Sailing Adventure *
Five Rivers in 5 Days
Upper Palmetto Trail Hike
Lower Palmetto Trail Hike
Rock Climbing Adventure
Foothills Trail Hike
Congaree Swamp Adventure
Five Peaks in 5 Days
Whitewater River Adventure
High Adventure Week – This is a brand NEW program being offered this summer, and promises to be the highlight
of the Summer Camp Season.
All of the High Adventure Programs that Camp Barstow has to offer will have a base line of instruction that will occur during the adventure experience. Also, each program will have a base line skill in which they will “master” by the end of the trek, understanding that mastery of any skill takes years of experience. The Programs will focus on two main areas of learning which are Outdoor Leadership Skills and Outdoor Living Skills; a third area of learning can be incorporated into the program aspect as well. This third opportunity will only occur if it is included in the goals set forth by each individual group, which is the completion of a few select merit badges. Finally, during most of the adventure treks the opportunity to earn the 50 Miler Award will present itself, and it will be up to each individual group to decide to complete a community service project to earn the Award.
Outdoor Living Skills to be offered:
Map / Compass
How to Pack Properly
Stove Operation / Maintenance
Clothing Systems
Water Treatment
Cooking
Fire Building
Gear Selection
Route / Itinerary Planning
Leave No Trace
GPS
Tarp / Tent Set-Up / Maintenance
Leadership Skills to be offered:
Group Development
Games / Initiatives
Decision Making
IP3 Collaboration Model
Reflection
Situational Leadership
All of the various topics listed above are meant to be 30 minutes to an hour lesson on each topic, note that an entire lifetime could be spent on some, this is just to introduce each topic and cover the basics as well as clear up any confusion and answer any questions that may come up during the discussions and activities.
Possible Merit Badge Opportunities:
Nature
Fishing (for water based activities only)
Canoeing (for water based activities only)
Astronomy (only if weather cooperates)
Weather
Wilderness Survival
Orienteering
Rock Climbing
Sailing
Other (any other brought to group at Camp)
Some of the Merit Badge Opportunities only allow for partials to be earned on the adventure trek, however, every effort will be made to complete as many requirements as reasonably possible.
Participation Requirements: Each participant must meet the following requirements to be able to participate in any Camp Barstow High Adventure Experience.
Must pass Swim Check and be of Swimmer Status (for water-based adventures)
Must be 14 years or older the day your trek is scheduled to leave Camp Barstow
Be proficient in primitive camping skills
Be physically fit (Medical Form at end of packet must be completed)
Have a willingness to have a new Summer Camp Experience
Registration Information: Each trek will fill on a first come, first serve basis, and each trek is limited to 12 youth (under 18 or under 21 in the case of Venture Scouts) participants and 1 adult (21 or older) participant. There will also be 1 trained staff guide that will accompany the trek for each adventure.
To sign up for any High Adventure Trek you must pay an $85 dollar deposit, which is the first payment of the $245 trek fee, this deposit will guarantee a slot to that participant (deposits are non-refundable, but transferable). Once a trek roster is full it is full, and if a slot later becomes available on a full trek, it will be on a first come, first served basis to fill that slot. High Adventure Week will cost more than a normal trek due to the amount of traveling; therefore the fee is $260.
If you have any questions about the registration process, please contact the Council Service Center at (803) 750-9868 for more information.
Emergency Information: Providing each Trek has tons of work that is put forth in planning and logistics. We will “do our best” to make sure that everything and everyone is accounted for and has a safe trek. That being said, each trek will file a route plan with the Camp Office before departing on their trek, and will have a communication device and first aid kit to cover almost any emergency that may occur in the field.
In the event that something does occur in the field and away from Camp Barstow, the High Adventure Director will be immediately notified. The Director will then notify the Council Scout Executive, who will make any calls necessary to parents/guardians and will counsel the High Adventure Director as per the best course of action and treatment as needed.
In the event should there be a family emergency in which the parents need to contact the youth participants please call the Scout Office at (803) 750-9868, and talk with the Scout Executive. He will then contact the camp, and work out the details with the High Adventure Director of extracting the individual(s) needed from their trek.
High Adventure Gear List (The list below is a suggestion of what to bring, a shakedown will occur with each group prior to departing on the trek to make sure things that are not needed are left, securely, at camp):
Sleeping
Sleeping bag in waterproof bag
Foam sleeping pad
Tent
Packing
Internal/External Frame Backpack
Waterproof bags (2 or 3)
12-24 Zip Lock bags
Clothing
Layer A (Paddling Clothes)
Closed toe shoes
3 pairs heavy socks
3 pair inner socks (polypro)
3 changes underwear
2 hiking shorts
2 short sleeve shirts (not nylon)
1 hat or cap-flexible, with brim
Bathing suit
Layer B (Cool Day/Evening)
1 long sleeve shirt
1 long pants (NO JEANS!)
1 pair quick dry underwear
Layer C (Wet, Cold, Windy)
1 rain coat (NO PONCHOS!)
Eating
1 cup or bowl
1 spoon
3 or 4 1 quart water bottles
Personal and Miscellaneous
Small pocketknife
Flashlight (with extra batteries)
Compass
2 bandannas or handkerchiefs
Lip balm (chap stick)
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Deodorant
Mosquito spray
Small camp trowel
Tampons/sanitary napkins
Sunscreen at least 15 SPF
Sunglasses
Optional Items
Camera and film
Whistle
Watch
Fishing equipment (license required)
Note pad and pen
Camp seat
NO RADIOS, CD/MP3 PLAYERS, IPODS, VIDEO GAME DEVICES, HAMMOCKS, OR CELL PHONES.
Schedule of Events
(due to each group’s own dynamics the exact schedule of what is going to happen will vary,
however this will provide a brief insight as to what should be expected):
Sunday – Check-In, Swim Checks, Icebreakers, food selection, gear packing, route selection, and Opening Campfire.
Monday – Pack boats, Breakfast, Depart Camp Barstow, Paddle to 2 islands, 1 Outdoor Living Skills Lesson, 1 Outdoor Leadership Lesson, Various Games and Songs, Set-Up Camp, Supper, Bed.
Tuesday – Paddle/Sail to 2 islands, 2 Outdoor Living Skills Lessons, 2 Outdoor Leadership Lessons, Games and Songs.
Wednesday – Paddle/Sail to 2 islands, 2 Outdoor Living Skills Lessons, 2 Outdoor Leadership Lessons, Games and Songs.
Thursday – Paddle/Sail to 2 islands, 2 Outdoor Living Skills Lessons, 2 Outdoor Leadership Lessons, Games and Songs.
Friday – Paddle/Sail to 2 islands, 2 Outdoor Living Skills Lessons, 2 Outdoor Leadership Lessons, Games and Songs, Return to Camp Barstow, unpack / clean-up, Supper, Closing Campfire, Group Debrief / Evaluation.
Saturday – Closing Lesson, Breakfast, Group Picture, Check-Out.
This schedule will be adhered to for both the Island War Canoe and Lake Murray Sailing Adventure. Again, if the group chooses to work on a merit badge(s) it will be worked into the group’s schedule. Individual’s that are supposed to be Called-Out by the Order of the Arrow Wednesday Evening will have that opportunity wherever they are on Lake Murray at a special group specific campfire.
Again, since each group will have different goals and expectations of one another, each trek will be specifically geared towards those goals and meeting those needs. The above agenda gives an insight as to what will generally be expected, however the actual agenda will vary from group to group.
Trek Specific Information
Island War Canoe (offered each week of Summer Camp, as well as High Adventure Week)
Overview: This program was started in 2005 and has run successfully for the past 5 years. It consists of 12 to 14 individuals canoeing around Lake Murray in one of two Indian War Canoes. Upon arrival at Camp Barstow preparations begin immediately for this five day trek across the lake; it all starts with swim checks, gear packing, food selection and packing, deciding as a group which 10 islands out of 30 total to visit during the week, and finally choosing any merit badges that the group may be interested in completing while on the trek (the list of merit badges to choose from can be found on this page).
The group will then head out bright and early Monday morning from the Boat Docks at Camp Barstow to the open waters of Lake Murray; only to return Friday afternoon in time for supper. While on the trek the participants will prepare their own meals, camp in primitive settings, learn various leadership skills, hone in their outdoor living skills, and work as a team to paddle the War Canoe across the lake to each destination.
This adventure is sure to be fun filled for all participants involved and it promises to be an adventure that will not soon be forgotten!
Lake Murray Sailing Adventure (offered each week of Summer Camp, as well as High Adventure Week)
Overview: This program started in 2008 and has run successfully for the previous two summers. It consists of 6 to 8 individuals sailing around Lake Murray in a racing style Sail Boat. Upon arrival at Camp Barstow preparations begin immediately for this five day trek across the lake; it all starts with swim checks, gear packing, food selection and deciding as a group the trail to blaze across Lake Murray. Each sail boat will have an experienced US Coastguard Certified Captain to teach the Scouts and Leaders the various workings of a sail boat, and will include a night time voyage on Lake Murray.
The group will then head out for the open waters of Lake Murray bright and early Monday morning only to return to Camp Barstow late Friday afternoon. During the trek participants will cook their own meals, camp in the Sail Boat as well as on various islands, learn how to operate as a team, and learn the in’s and out’s of open water sailing. This adventure is fun for all Scouts and Leaders ages 14 and up.
The Lake Murray Sailing Adventure promises to be an experience that will not soon be forgotten by Scouts, Leaders, or the staff that accompanies this Sailing Adventure Trek.
High Adventure Week (cost = $260 per participant) NEW
Overview: The High Adventure Week Program is new to Camp Barstow this year, and has a lot to offer for one week! This fun and exciting new program will feature a 2-day Backpacking Trip through one of Central South Carolina’s National Forests, Sumter National Forest. Other activities will include COPE, SCUBA, and a Whitewater Adventure. Each group of 10 to 12 participants will have the opportunity to experience each of these adventures in the same week, which will leave you wanting more by the end!
The participants will check-in Sunday Afternoon between 1 and 3pm, and the fun gets started right away with immediate preparations for each of these different excursions away from Camp Barstow. First things to be done are a swim check (must be of swimmer status), gear packing, food selection and packing, route planning, and of course getting to know your group.
The groups will then depart bright and early Monday morning to their own experiences, only to return to Camp Barstow for those two in camp activities, SCUBA and COPE. Upon completion of the week, participants will have the opportunity to share stories with the other groups as well as group debriefs of the experience and evaluations of how they thought the week went.
High Adventure Week at Camp Barstow is one not soon to be forgotten by those who participate in it whether it is participants, leaders, or staff! And if successful, this program is the stepping stone to offering more new and exciting High Adventure Programs to Camp Barstow in the years to come! So, what are you waiting for?! Sign up today! This adventure is fun for all Scouts and Leaders ages 14 and up.
Schedule of Events:
Sunday – Check-in, Group Gatherings, Trek Preparations
Monday – COPE
Tuesday – Backpacking Expedition
Wednesday – Backpacking Expedition
Thursday – SCUBA
Friday – Whitewater Adventure
Saturday – Group Debriefs, Evaluations, Check-Out