Scouts look forward to summer camp opportunities in Michigan and beyond
REGION – With the end of the school year less than a couple of weeks away, the thoughts of area youth (and their parents!) are turning to the question, “What am I going to do this summer?”
One answer for many area boys will be to stuff tents and sleeping bags into backpacks, brush up on their fire making, cooking and outdoor survival skills, and prepare to head to scout camp.
There are nine active scout troops in the Antrim / Kalkaska area, serving more than 150 scouts. While some troops will choose to camp locally, or travel out of state for new adventures, many will attend one of the Michigan Crossroads Council (Boy Scouts of America – BSA) – managed summer camps: Cole Canoe Base near West Branch, D-bar-A Scout Ranch near Flint, Gerber Scout Reservation near Muskegon, and Camp Rotary near Clare.
In addition, the Michigan Crossroads Council provides “high adventure” opportunities throughout the state, including canoeing, kayaking, backpacking, and even Great Lakes sailing adventures.
Scouts will spend from three days to two weeks at camp, with the typical stay being one week. Local troops will camp together at a site, often employing skills in woodcraft and lashing to construct elaborate rustic gateways, cooking areas, and other camp amenities. Individual scouts not affiliated with a troop at a given camp are assigned to camp with an established troop, and come away from the week with new, lifelong friends.
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