Key Dates

• February

  • Registration opens

  • Scouts have time during a Tuesday meeting to review Merit Badge classes with friends

• March 11 - Parent info night at 7:45 p.m.

• April 1 - Deadlines for Summer Camp registration, Merit Badge selection, and payment.

• May 6 - All Medical Forms due (A/B1/B2/C) and insurance Card 

• May 13 - Summer Camp Parent Meeting @ 7:45 p.m. in the Youth Hall (not Scout Hall). Come to hear more about helping your Scout prepare for Summer Camp, ask questions, etc. 

• June 3 - For adults attending summer camp, training must be completed.

• June 14: (Sat, 3:30-5:30 pm) - Mandatory check-in for all scouts and adults attending summer camp. Bring medications, get your schedule and a t-shirt, drop off cookies, etc. For those with an epi-pen or inhaler, bring the backpack you will carry all week so the pocket where these emergency meds are kept can be tagged. Parents, also bring cookies (see details below). 

• June 15-21 - Summer Camp

  • For Departure on June 15

    • Bring money for lunch on the drive to Woodruff

    • Scouts should NOT wear their new summer camp t-shirt when we depart. All Scouts should dress in Class A uniform. The new summer camp t-shirt will be worn on a specific day, decided by the SPL. 

    • For those who still need to take the swim test, have your swimsuit/towel accessible.

ABOUT Merit Badges AND ACTIVITIES AT WOODRUFF

• • There are over 70 merit badges offered that all Scouts can choose.

  • Included in the camp fee, each Scout can select a whitewater or horseback riding activity. 

  • There are various options for Scouts to choose from . . . as a Scout looks at the options further below, consider if the Scout is a . . . 

    • First-year Scouts (those crossing over in Spring 2025) . . . . There is a program to select for them

    • Traditional Scouts (Second year and older) should select individual Merit Badges

    • Older Scouts who have completed needed Merit Badges can challenge themselves with other activities or adventures! 

  • Below is the daily schedule. To summarize, Merit Badges are offered in the morning, afternoon and evening. The First Year program (Mountaineer) and the older Scout option occur in the mornings.  In addition, Scouts will be able to choose one included activity (e.g. whitewater rafting, horseback riding) for one afternoon.

A Note About River Rafting

Scouts have the option to mark interest in river rafting. Woodruff offers two options: The Nantahala is appropriate for all ages and the Ocoee is more advanced and appropriate for traditional/older Scouts. However, please note that availability of the Ocoee is very limited and our Troop was unable to register Scouts for this last year due to prioritizing registration of Scouts' preferences in merit badges. We will do our best to honor requests for both rivers, but may have to instead register all rafters for the Nantahala if the Ocoee is unavailable.

If you sign up for the Ocoee and do not wish to attend the Nantahala (which is still a lot of fun!), please put that note in the comments section at the bottom of the form. Doing so would open that afternoon to free time for other activities at camp. Please also note that the day of the week you select for either river trip is a preference. The Troop will attend the river trip(s) as a group based on the day most preferred by Scouts and availability of the camp. Thank you for understanding this will need to be a flexible process driven by availability once Woodruff registration opens to our Troop.

Merit badges and activities

The below section outlines details and advice for selecting Merit Badges and Activities. Read through and click on the "Select Merit Badges, Activities, Program Here" button at the end of this section to make choices. 

Older Scout Programs

Older Scouts who have completed needed Merit Badges can challenge themselves with other activities or adventures! When choosing this option, each morning (all 4 periods) are scheduled for the Older Scout program.  Options include 

• 1. • the Woodruff News Team

     • Laurel Mountain

     • Woodruff Inventors

     • Woodruff Pathfinder

     • Woodruff CIT

Older Scouts in this program will have afternoons free for other activities. Click on the above link to the "Woodruff Participants Guide" to learn more about these. If this is for you, then click on the "Sign Up for Merit Badges" button below and complete the form, selecting Advanced Older Scout Program. 

Advice when selecting Merit badges

• 1. Selecting for programs and Merit Badges

     • Tip: View the map of camp (above link) to see where classes are located to avoid (if possible) "ping-ponging" across camp to switch between your classes. Avoid taking a water class followed by other classes if possible.

     • Because some classes may fill up quickly, it is important to select backup Merit Badge classes. In other words, you may not get your exact schedule choices. 

     • Once you have determined your draft schedule, click on the below gray button to complete the Google Form to let us know what Merit Badges to enroll you in. The deadline is April 1. 

     • Once you have completed the Google form, those selections are final. In other words, don't submit your form until you are sure. NO CHANGES AFTER IT IS SUBMITTED!  

Special notes on Merit Badges

• 1. • • Get to know your MB before camp! Check out the MB pamphlets from the Scout library or buy the pamphlets. 

       • Click here for the list of merit badges and any requirements of those Merit Badges

       • Only take Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, or Communication if these are the last Eagle merit badges you need to earn your Eagle Rank. These courses may require Scoutmaster approval. 

       • Some MB will not be completed at camp. Check the Merit Badge Quick Reference document above to see what is or is not completed at camp. 

       •  Shotgun: Scouts must be 14+

Select the below Merit Badge link and complete the form by the deadline of Tuesday, April 1. The selection form will ask for both first and second choices in the event your first selection is not available upon full Troop registration with camp.

Camp Documents

• Woodruff Participants Guide

• Merit Badge Schedule (visual of when each MB is offered)

• Woodruff Weekly Schedule (Update coming for 2025)

• Mountaineer Program - What will Scouts accomplish during this time?

• Merit Badge Quick Reference Guide (Lists recommendations for year, what will or won't be completed at camp) 

• Woodruff Camp Map

• Merit Badge Locations (NEW!)

• Time Between Areas (NEW!)

• Adult Leader Training (see below) 

• Hiking Trail Map

Swim Test prior to camp

TBD is the date and time to plan to ensure your Scout is ready for Summer Camp. (Scouts can take the swim test at Woodruff upon arrival to summer camp if they can't make the primary date, but to ensure a fast check-in at Woodruff for everyone, it is best for all of us to test on the same date.

The Signup Genius link will be available here soon

Medication 

If your Scout will take any medication (over-the-counter and/or prescription) during the campout, the parent must complete this dosage form and give just enough medication for the campout in original packaging to the medical officer. Parents should complete this form . . .

NO prescription, over the counter medicine, vitamins or herbal supplements are permitted in a scout’s luggage.

Emergency medications such as Epi-pen and albuterol inhalers should be kept with the Scout at all times!!!!!

Adults

• We need 10-12 adults to participate during the week of Summer Camp. Your costs are covered by the Troop.

• If your Youth Protection Training (YPT) and Hazardous Weather Training and medical forms are not completed by the deadlines you will not be eligible to go. 

• For training questions and documentation, contact Sean Borja for T77

• Woodruff Offerings - Communicate your interest to Mike Henry

  • Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)

  • Building a High Adventure Program in our Troop

  • Angling Educator

  • Tree Identification Walk

  • Cast Iron Chef

  • BSA Lifeguard

  • Aquatics Supervision: Swimming and Water Rescue

  • Aquatics Supervision: Paddle Craft Safety

  • Red Cross CPR w/AED and Standard First Aid

  • CPR for Professional Rescuer

  • American Red Cross Wilderness First Aid

Campsite Details

• Temperature: 65 – 90

• Each patrol site has 4-6 tents in it

  • Toilets: Yes

  • Showers: Yes

  • Shelter: Yes

  • Tables: Yes

  • Fire ring: Yes

  • Power: Yes, there is power 

• Ice: Yes

• Cellular: Yes, good coverage depending on the provider

• Wifi: No

Cookies/snacks

There is a long standing tradition for parents to make snacks (cookies, brownies, bacon for the adults, etc) to send with us for the week. We give these out to scouts that did a good deed, as a daily pick me up, and just because. You do not have to send anything but thanks to those that do.

You will drop them off at Scout Hall the day before departure, Saturday, June 14.

Label all homemade cookies (Gluten Free, Nut Free, etc.) for easier distribution to scouts with allergies.

Please make sure all cookies are in a disposable container that will not need to be returned.

Mail Call

Scouts LOVE to receive mail and packages from home.  Please send packages in enough time for them to arrive during the week (it is OK to send them the week before and the camp will hold them).  Mail can take 4 to 5 days to arrive so please plan accordingly. Any mail received after the Troop has checked out will be returned to the sender. 

Woodruff Scout Camp

Scouts Full Name

Troop 77 or 177, Week 3

31 Woodruff Drive 

Blairsville, GA 30512

CAMP CONTACT INFO

Woodruff (Office)..................404-473-8015 

Atlanta Council .....................770-956-5687

Email...................................... Woodruff@AtlantaBSA.org 

Website..................................CampWoodruff.org 

Cancellations and Refunds

If a Scout cancels their participation in Summer Camp

• Requests received 30 or more days before the event will receive a 100% refund

• Requests received 14-29 days before the event will receive an 80% refund

• Requests received within 13 days of Summer Camp will receive a 60% refund

• Exceptions within 30 days, to receive the 100% refund, can be made for special hardship cases such as: 

  • Family relocation

  • Summer school related issue

  • Accident, illness, or death in the immediate family

  • Natural disaster 

PARENT PRESENTATION (2024)

• Summer Camp Presentation

Annual troop and Scouting America registrations

Click the link below to complete your Troop 77 membership renewal. A link to PayPal is provided at the end of the form to pay your 2025 Troop 77 Scout membership dues of $95.

https://forms.gle/eqToyr9JnKGo6GPg8

Scouts and Adult volunteers also need to complete their 2025 Scouting America renewal, which is separate from the Troop 77 renewal. You can complete this by logging into https://my.scouting.org and choosing “My Application” and “My Renewals.”

Contact membership.st77@oakgrovescouting.org with questions. 

Key reminders (as we get closer to camp)

• Everyone should have paid the summer camp invoice and submitted medical forms (A, B1, B2, and C)

• Scouts should have arranged tentmates by now

• Friday, June 13, 4:00 p.m. Get supplies ready at Oak Grove UMC - Scouts are needed to help get the trailer and summer camp supplies ready. Let the SPL know if you can be there. Please copy another adult if you are an adult emailing him.

• Saturday, June 14, 3:30-5:30 pm - Mandatory check-in for all scouts and adults attending summer camp. Bring medications and completed dosage form (see below), get your schedule and a t-shirt, drop off cookies, etc. For those with an epi-pen or inhaler, bring the backpack you will carry all week so the pocket where these emergency meds are kept can be tagged. Parents, also bring cookies (see below). This is a drop-in event and scouts do not have to wear uniforms.

• June 15-21 - Summer Camp

  • Departure on Sunday, June 15

    • Bring money for lunch on the drive to Woodruff

    • Scouts should NOT wear their new summer camp t-shirt when we depart. All Scouts should dress in Class A uniform. The new summer camp t-shirt will be worn on a specific day, decided by the SPLs. 

    • For those who still need to take the swim test, have your swimsuit/towel accessible.

    • Arrive at Oak Grove Elementary School parking lot by 9:00 a.m. (remember, there is church that morning so we can't meet at the church)

      • Remember to eat breakfast. 

      • Remember to pack lunch money

      • Scouts should carry their money, two full bottles of water, and the other essentials they need in a day pack in the car. 

Seatbelts - We need a parent or two to drive some Scouts to Woodruff on June 15 and a parent or two to drive some Scouts back from Woodruff on June 21. The time commitment on June 15 is 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and on June 21 the time commitment is approximately 6:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Let akrafty@me.com know if you can drive and how many seatbelts for Scouts you have. 

Packing

Label all clothing and gear - To reunite clothing and gear with its Scout owner, it is very helpful to have names on items! As a reminder, plastic trunks (storage lockers) are recommended for summer camp to keep everything organized throughout the week. Your Scout’s trunk should also have his name on it.

Every Scout should have 2 water bottles, 32 oz each - Names must be on them. Clear ones are best so that adults can quickly audit who is drinking enough water  .  . . and who needs to refill their bottle. 

Rain - The forecast for next week includes rain. Scouts should ensure they have good rain gear and an extra pair of shoes (label all of it)

Ointment - We recommend that each scout brings a tube of diaper ointment (Desitin, etc) or an anti-chafe stick like Body Glide Body to prevent chaffing during the week. Many of our kids are taking waterfront classes in bathing suits early in the day and won't be back to our site to change until late afternoon. Chafing can set it in during that time and it's much easier to prevent this painful condition than to treat it after it has started. Label the product with their name, instruct them not to share it, tell them to carry it in their day packs during the day, and apply it first thing before getting dressed for the day, and reapply as needed.  It is recommended to talk about how to apply it while at home so that Scouts are prepared when they get to camp. Also, encourage them to talk to any male leader if this becomes an issue during the week. 

Instruments - Scouts who can play a musical instrument are encouraged to bring it to camp!! BE SURE to label your musical instrument and keep it protected from weather. Send Mr Leff an email to coordinate! (mitch@leffassociates.com). The more the merrier! 

Sit down with your scout and read through the 3 documents near the bottom of this website . . . . Campout and Activity Rules, Electronics Policy, and Discipline Policy. Scouts need to be clear on the troop's rules and the consequences of breaking the troop's rules. These rules are in place for their safety (and our sanity). Copies of each of these policies will be displayed on the bulletin board located in our Woodruff campsite.

Next steps: Let SPL know about Friday help, plan time on Saturday to complete the check-in, and use this week to have your Scout pack gear for the week (with review by a parent for younger Scouts).