welcome to outing for scouting vi campsites & …

LEADER’S GUIDE – OFS VI

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WELCOME TO OUTING FOR SCOUTING VI

CAMPSITES & CREATURES

April 23-25, 2021 Gerber Scout Reservation

(1733 Owasippe Rd, Twin Lake, MI) Hello Scoutmasters, Crew Advisors, Cub Scout Leaders, and Parents!! The Michigan Crossroads Council is proud to provide you this information packet for our Sixth Bi-Annual Outing for Scouting: Please be sure to carefully read and share this information with your participants. This year’s Outing for Scouting will have many new and exciting programs to take advantage of our traditions, both new and old. We hope that after you review this information, you will join us and come prepared to make it a real highlight of your unit’s Scouting year! This year’s amazing Outing is dedicated to the continually ground breaking inventiveness of our Program Team! See you at the Gerber Scout Reservation!! Travis Babcock Outing for Scouting Chair 2021


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OUTING FOR SCOUTING VI Facts Sheet

Who: Michigan Crossroads Council (MCC) – Scouts, BSA What: Outing for Scouting – A bi-annual event hosted on the even years opposite the Mackinac

Rendezvous both of which are premier events which have been part of the former President Ford Field Service Council. This has evolved into a themed event with past events being STEM and Zombie Apocalypse. But this is an odd year (2021) …Yes, it is, due to COVID this event was originally to be hosted in the Fall of 2020 but was bumped to Spring 2021.

When: Friday, April 23 to Sunday, April 25, 2021

1) Plan to arrive for registration between 2:00pm and 9:30pm on Friday April 23, 2021. (late check-ins can be handled by special arrangement)

2) Check-Out on Sunday, April 25, 2021will occur via a campsite site inspection and dismissal by OFS security staff. Site inspections may be arranged on a first come, first served basis any time after 10am (following the interfaith religious service and closing/flags).

3) For those attending only the day of Saturday April 24, 2021, please check-in at the Main pavilion of the Gerber Scout Reservation (BSA side) between 7am-745am.

Where: Gerber Scout Reservation (GSR) located at 1733 Owasippe Rd, Twin Lake, MI

Fees: The regular registration fee is $55.00 per person (youth or adult). The “Early Bird” fee (ending April 1, 2021) is $35.00 per person.

*******THERE WILL BE NO WALK-INS FOR THIS EVENT!*******

Pays For: Camp/Reservation fees, all Saturday program features and activities and infrastructure surrounding the event, Saturday lunch, plus Outing for Scouting (D&D and Magic activity and firebowl activity) and event patch. Day passes include access to all program areas and trading posts between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm on Saturday only.

Vision: My vision is a full-on Renaissance Fair that is fantasy influenced. Think Dungeons and Dragons come to life. If you are familiar with the Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly, MI just add more elf ears, fairy wings, and magic. Cosplay is highly encouraged, NO WEAPONS allowed however. So, what if I want to be a knight/fighter? You may do all the armor, and carry around a really cool shield. Can I have a magic wand/staff? Yes, those are allowed bring your best wizard to the party!

Program:

• Hands-on & educational activities in each of our program areas!

• Role Play gaming (Outdoor seating) Friday Night!

• Saturday lunch

• Fire Bowl Saturday night

• Trading Posts

• Patch Trading!

• Interfaith worship service Sunday morning


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OUTING FOR SCOUTING VI

GENERAL INFORMATION

OUTING FOR SCOUTING REGISTRATION

A printed confirmation of your unit’s registration and final roster will be emailed to the primary Leader you designate in your unit’s registration.

REQUIRED LEADER ORIENTATION Our experience has shown that an orientation for units participating is critical for smooth Outing for Scouting. An orientation is set for leader’s at 9:30pm Friday April 23, 2021 at the GSR Scouts, BSA Main Pavilion where your unit initially checked in. We would like at least one adult leader and the SPL (for Scouts, BSA units) to attend the meeting. This will help you understand how Saturday’s events will function, the ins and outs of camp, and give everyone a chance to ask questions. If your unit is coming from somewhere in the state where you will arrive after 9:30pm our registration team will still check you in and catch you up on the information discussed at the meeting.

*****ATTENDANCE AT FRIDAY’S 9:30 PM MEETING IS A REQUIREMENT FOR ALL UNITS*****

UNIT PREPARATION

The weather in Michigan can change rapidly! BE PREPARED! Plan on appropriate attire for a wide variety of weather conditions including sun, wind, rain and even snow! It has all occurred at previous Outings for Scouting!! Scouts and leaders are expected to be well-schooled in camp setup after dark and in adverse conditions. As site space is at a premium, please bring only the necessary tents and the equipment. A troop trailer, may be left in the campsite, and may be attached to a vehicle. Any other vehicles must remain in the parking lot area.

Keep up to date on Outing for Scouting details via our Facebook page. Just search for us: “Outing for Scouting VI 2021” WHAT TO BRING! - (Note: there will not be running water in camps sites or activity areas. However, you can fill water jugs/containers at ranger’s station).

Bring tents, ground cloth, metal stakes, cooking gear to prepare meals in your campsite, hand tools for campsite set up and clean up, dining fly, water containers (jugs, water cans, igloo coolers, etc…), first aid kit, unit flag, plastic trash bags, and fire safety equipment. Individuals should bring several changes of clothing, warm sleeping gear, rain protection, warm coat, gloves, hat, sun/wind screen, sunglasses, individual canteens or water bottles, flashlight, camera, compass, spending money, Scout Uniform, and their desired cosplay outfit. **But no weapons, real or otherwise** We hope to see a lot of wizards, elves, and the like roaming the camp.


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NOTE: All Scouts and leaders will be expected to be in a Scouts, BSA uniform (Scout, Venturer or

adult) for Sunday Services.

MEALS! - Troops should plan their own Friday supper, Saturday breakfast and dinner, and Sunday breakfast (food and preparations). ONLY Saturday lunch will be provided. YOU WILL ONLY RECEIVE A FOOD ALLERGY/ALTERNATE FOOD CHOICE IF INDICATED SO WHEN YOU SIGNED UP ON BLACKPUG DURING REGISTRATION.

FIREWOOD! - You may collect and burn downed wood in any of the available fire rings. Collecting the local wood benefits both you and Gerber. Please, however, do not transport firewood to the camp. Additional firewood will also be available, please ask at check-in.

WATER! – We want to give our scouts and scouters the most wonderful and comfortable experience we can. Seeing as how we live in a cold climate unfortunately some comforts are not always readily available. During the warmer months (May – September) GSR has running water in their campsites and on the Cub Scout Adventureland side of camp. The water lines will still be winterized and unavailable for use during this event.

What does this effect? This means that there will not be running water at your campsites, nor at the wash stations, and that the showhouses will be closed. Consider this a rustic campout. We do have water available, see below, just not running water. What about bathrooms? Each campsite has a latrine and there are latrines scattered throughout camp. There are latrines (Banks of 2-4) in three placements on the Cub Scout side of camp where Saturday’s events will be held. So, there are NO flush toilets? Unfortunately, not; GSR has flush toilets in Centennial Dining hall, at the Ranger Station, and Chaffee Lodge, however, per State of Michigan and MCC no indoor spaces are to be used by participants for events so these are inaccessible. It was my hope to have these facilities available for the participants, I’m sorry I cannot extend this comfort to you. We are scouts/scouters, we will adapt and overcome!

What about washing? Every latrine area will have hand sanitizer. You may also choose to set-up a wash station in your campsite using a water jug and soap. GSR will be setting up a hand washing station outside Whistlestop in preparation for the Saturday lunch. A scout is clean! What about drinking water? Water for drinking and food preparation will be available at the GSR Ranger Station. Please come prepared with potable water containers filled with water for your units use. If you are unable to transport filled containers you may fill them up after check-in before you move to your campsite. PUT YOUR UNIT NUMBER AND CAMPSITE NAME ON YOUR WATER CONTAINERS – You can use marker on a piece of duct tape or whatever method you wish to mark the containers.


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Water refill service? Wagons will be available for your scouts use to transport water containers back and forth from the Ranger Station if you have the need to refill before Saturday’s events. Saturday morning, while you are away having an adventure, the reservation ranger/OFS security staff will collect containers left next to your roadside campsite signs. Any water containers left out will be filled and returned to you by 4:30pm, in time for the return from your adventures.

TRASH! – Friday night trash can be put out by your campsite sign and will be picked up on Saturday. On Sunday please bring your trash out with you to the dumpsters located off the parking lot near the Ranger Station. UNITS - BRING AN IDEA FOR AT LEAST 3 SKITS! The ideas will be vetted for appropriateness (no toilet humor) and

also to ensure we are not doing the same skit twice. If you want to do a song it CANNOT be a repeat after me/audience

participation song (sorry no audience singing due to COVID).

COLOR BRACELETS! – At CHECK-IN your unit will be given colored bracelets. Please have your scouts/scouters wear

the bracelets so we know 1. They have been checked in/screened. 2. You will be eating lunch on Saturday based on the

color of your bracelet (See SCHEDULE OF EVENTS on Page 7). Please note many scouts/scouters from other units may

have the same color as you, the color is used to manage lunch to allow for social distancing (There is roughly 50 of each

color bracelet). The colors are RED, ORANGE, YELLOW, GREEN, and BLUE for scouts/scouters. If you see a PURPLE

bracelet this will be an indication of an event staff member.

CHECK-IN! – Due to COVID and everyone’s safety this is how this will work:

1. Arrive as a Unit and stay in your vehicles (for screening purposes). 2. Send your designated adult leader to the check-in pavilion. Turn in your unit’s paperwork

and get a COVID screening form and a thermometer. 3. Return to unit vehicles and take temps of scouts/scouters and complete screening form. 4. Bring the form back to check-in and if you’re in compliance you will receive your campsite

assignment. If you’re not in compliance the vehicle with the scout/scouter will be asked to leave GSR.

5. Upon receipt of campsite assignment, you may then have your unit exit their vehicles and trek back to the site. Wagons will be available to pull belongings to the campsites. You are allowed only ONE vehicle per unit to go back to the campsite (ideally the vehicle pulling your units trailer).

6. If your vehicle is attached to your units trailer you may leave it in the campsite. If the one vehicle is not attached to a trailer please move it back to the parking area after your equipment is unloaded.

7. If there is a handicap need for a vehicle, it will be reviewed on an individual basis with our medical/security team at the time of check-in.

CHECK-OUT! – On Sunday your unit is again allowed only ONE vehicle in their campsite. After breaking camp, please police your campsite and wait for an OFS security member to check your unit out before leaving GSR property.


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SATURDAY OFS VI EVENT MAP

*****Outing for Scouting areas are in RED. This map is subject to change as new events are added*****


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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FRIDAY (April 23) Time Place Event 2pm – 930pm GSR Scouts, BSA Main Pavilion Check-in and locate your campsite 2pm – 10pm Moose Junction Camp Store open 6pm – 10pm GSR Scouts, BSA Main Pavilion Scout Museum/ Patch Trading 630pm – 930pm Centennial Dining Hall Field Tabletop Gaming 930pm - 10pm GSR Scouts, BSA Main Pavilion Leader/SPL Meeting 10pm Camp Wide Quiet Time/Bed SATURDAY (April 24) Time Place Event 7am – 745am Camp Wide Wake-up! Eat Breakfast 745am-8am Campsites to Centennial Hike to opening/flags 8am - 830am Centennial Dining Hall Field Event Opening and Flags 830am - 9am Scout side to Cub Side Hike to Cub side for adventure 9am – 4pm Cub Camp Adventureland Fantasy Renaissance Festival (Main Event) 1145am - 1pm Whistlestop Pavilion Lunch* 4pm – 430pm Cub Side to Scout Side Return to campsites to relax 4pm – 7pm Moose Junction Camp Store open 430pm - 630pm Campsites Relax and make dinner 630pm - 7pm Campsites to Firebowl Hike to Firebowl 7pm – 9pm Firebowl FIREBOWL!!! 9pm - 930pm Firebowl to Campsites Return to Campsites 9pm – 10pm Moose Junction Camp Store open 11pm Camp Wide Quiet Time/Bed *Lunch will be staggered by 15-minutes intervals; 11:45am-RED, 12:00-ORANGE, 12:15-YELLOW, 12:30-GREEN, 12:45-BLUE. Please note what time your color eats and be on time. SUNDAY (April 25) Time Place Event 7am – 730am Camp Wide Wake-up! Eat Breakfast 730am - 8am Campsites to Firebowl Hike to interfaith worship service 8am - 830am Firebowl Interfaith worship service 830am - 9am Firebowl to Campsites Return from interfaith worship service 9am – 930am Centennial Dining Hall Field Event Closing and Flags 930am – 10am Campsites Tear Down, Site Inspection, and Check-Out 10am EVENT IS OVER – HEAD HOME AND DRIVE SAFELY! -The hiking times built into the schedule allow for wiggle room as most of the 15-minute hiking times take 5-10 minutes and the 30-minute hiking times take about 20-25 minutes.


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FUN THINGS TO DO (ITINERARY)

FRIDAY Scout Museum - The famous Meyers Scout Museum will offer its traveling collection for your viewing pleasure.

Join us on Friday night at Scouts, BSA Main Pavilion to see a collection of Scouting memorabilia that spans

decades.

Scout Shop - Moose Junction will be open for business on Friday night, and Saturday. Stop by and check out

their selection of Scouting products.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS! - There will be tables available on Friday night at Centennial’s dining hall’s parade

ground. Everything is provided, you only need to bring a flashlight and prepare to have fun. Open tables will be

available for those that wish to bring their own games, e.g. (Magic the Gathering).

Patch Trading - Meyers Scout Museum will lead a discussion on patch trading basics and offer some tips to

successful patch trading. Patches will be given to participants on a first come first served basis subject to

available quantities. Please limit patch trading to Adult to Adult and Youth to Youth.

SATURDAY SKILL STATIONS – Show off your scout skills and earn GOLD COINS! Participate and earn a coin, really

impress the skill station leader and you could earn more.

Pioneering- As you explore the realm using your compass, Cubs and Scouts can fulfill rank requirements.

This area will include a fun workout station, a rope bridge, rope making (whipping and fusing), a rope

throw station, a trestle lashing station, a camp chair station, and a knot tying station. This program area

will be available for demonstration/participation during open program on Saturday during your

scheduled visit.

First Aid – While exploring the realm, your patrol of Knights and Wizards finds a village that has been

attacked by a dragon. Transport and treat the wounded villagers.

Obstacle Course – Working as team and solving problem are key to your survival. Participants will be

asked to tackle various obstacles on their scheduled visit on Saturday. This area will also be available on

Friday during open program.

Orienteering – Knights and Wizards are on a quest. Explore your realm using your compass. Travel from

village to village throughout the Kingdom. Bring a compass if you can.

Fire Building – The goal is to lay siege to the enemy castle using a trebuchet. Scouts will access their

trebuchet by building a fire. Once a fire is burning, they will need to burn through a rope to access the

trebuchet. The longer it takes to build the fire, the more “ammo” aka rocks are ‘stolen’ from their


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arsenal. Faster times = more shots! Once the rope has been burned through, Scouts will launch the

rocks at a small castle trying to knock down a wall. Participants may build and start fires in multiple

different ways. None of which involve matches or a lighter.

EXHIBITIONS Hatchet Throwing – This will be available all-day Saturday. Hatchet throwing is available to Scouts BSA

and venture scouts only. NO CUB SCOUTS AT THIS EVENT.

Historic Armor & Weapon Education – Come experience the fact and fantasy of swords, maces,

daggers, pole arms, shields, armor, and helms. Education is the key to this demo area. This is

NOT a weapons demonstration; it is a static display.

Blacksmith Demo – Witness the magic that only the “ferrum-mancers” can wield. Folding, creasing,

twisting, and applying blunt force to iron based metals. Witness the transformation of bars of metal

into usable items. In our smith’s village, you will find smiths of varied experience. Demonstration only -

NOT a hands-on experience.

Renaissance/Medieval Cooking – Come watch a cauldron of stew prepared and a rabbit on the

rotisserie. Ask questions of the re-enactor about how food was prepared in the days of old.

Wand Making - Making a wand is not just finding a stick, but creating a unique tool for which the magic

of the imagination can be cast.

Medieval Dancing – if staffing allows join and participate in the courtly dances of the king. Actual dances

where social distancing was practiced long before COVID.

Maypole – During lunch we are going to braid ribbons around a maypole.

Possibly more! It is our intent to bring as much renaissance/medieval life as we can to this event, we are

currently working on wandering minstrels and a bird a prey exhibitor.

PROGRAM EXTRAS YE OLDE PRIZE SHOPPE! – We are super excited about this. We will have a shoppe set-up behind

Whistle Stop where small batch keg root beer, meat sticks, candy and other treats, as well as small

prizes will be available for purchase with the gold coins earned from participating in the skill areas. You

earned it, now spend it!

Pixies Ponies – Live Shetland Pony carousel will be set-up for Saturday’s festivities. CUB SCOUTS ONLY.

Guillotine – Watch as produce is given the CHOP! (Demonstration only)


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Glass Bead Making – Following your dinner, as you venture to firebowl stop at the glass bead making

station along the trail where an artisan will be making glass beads.

Fire Bowl- Join us for a magical firebowl on Saturday night. Some prizes will be awarded for cosplay and

other categories.

Seating will be spaced out; we have already checked and have room for 288 people at 6-feet

distancing. Yes, the event was limited to 300 so what about the extra 12 people you may ask?

The event staff and re-enactors had to be factored in to the 300 people, and will not be seated

in the audience.

UNITS - BRING AN IDEA FOR AT LEAST 3 SKITS! The ideas will be vetted for appropriateness (no

toilet humor) and also to ensure we are not doing the same skit twice. If you want to do a song

it CANNOT be a repeat after me/audience participation song (sorry no audience singing due to

COVID).

SUNDAY Interfaith Worship Service - 8am at the fire bowl.

Check-Out - will follow the closing/flags. Units will require a site inspection from OFS Security Staff to

receive their event participation patches and exit the property.


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FAQ’s

1. What can we do to speed up check-in? 1) Come prepared with your unit roster, COPIES of health forms (A&B) & COVID

Waiver forms (as they have to be kept by camp & not returned), and information complete and correct. 2) Keep up to

date on all changes and additions via our Facebook page. 3) Follow all sign in and vehicle unload instructions at the site.

4) relax – it will be a great weekend!!

2. COVID CONCERNS – Do masks have to be worn when not eating/drinking, YES. Are we 6-foot distancing? At this time,

we are going to do so as much as is practical. When you are in your unit/patrol/den (See #3) try to space out a bit.

When around other groups try and stay 6-feet apart.

3. Patrol and Den Movement? You have probably heard about the unit “podding” proposed for summer camp. This is

where scouts are grouped together (in pods) when moving around camp. At Outing for Scouting, we would like to do

the same, and request that your unit or patrol moves as a ‘pod’. This lowers the amount of scout-to-scout interaction,

and is a COVID prevention measure to minimize the mixing of groups. If your unit has 10 or fewer people in attendance,

we kindly ask that as you move about camp, you do so as a whole unit. If your unit has more than 10 persons in

attendance, please divide your unit up in dens or patrols of less than 10 persons.

1. We ask that as you move around camp you stay in these 10-person or smaller groups as best you can.

This includes Friday nights activity, Saturday’s main event, Firebowl, and Sunday’s service.

2. Saturday’s event will not have specified movement times. Your group is free to explore as they wish.

You will receive a specified lunch time based on your color bracelet which will be at 15-minute intervals

to allow for social distancing.

3. During Saturday’s event the exhibition/skill areas will decide on how many groups they can safely

accommodate. Example, Archery may be able to take 2-3 groups as they will have two shooting areas

and a safety briefing area. Whereas the blacksmith’s area may only be able to accommodate one group

at a time. It comes down to space and available staffing in the area. Please be courteous, and patient.

We recommend that, wherever possible, you find another area that is open to explore, returning later

to the crowded location.

4. Are individual health forms required? Yes! BSA Health Forms Parts A & B are required for every participant. The unit

should maintain one copy of each in a readily accessible location in case of emergency. These may be retained by the

camp, so please make copies of any original forms.

5. May Scouts or Scouters with special needs attend? Yes. Accommodations can be made in most cases. Please advise us

of any special needs (including dietary needs) via email at least thirty (30) days prior to the Outing.

6. Where will we stay? Units will be staying in the Scout side campsites. Please bring your own tents and gear. If you

have a unit that you would like to try to camp with, please notify us. For instance, if you are a Cub Scout pack that

would like to camp with a particular Scout Troop let us know and we will try to accommodate you.


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7. What will we eat? Units will provide their own meals for Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday evening and Sunday

morning. Saturday lunch will be provided at Whistle Stop on the Cub side of camp, mess kits will not be needed for

Saturday lunch.

8. Who can attend? This event is open to all Scouts. Cub Scouts, Webelos, Scouts BSA, Venturers etc. Additionally, Cub

Scout packs are reminded they are family camping. This means that Mom, Dad, or guardian and siblings can enjoy the

fun too. Simply register each attendee.

9. Do I really need to have a Renaissance/Fantasy themed costume? No, but you will be missing out on the full

immersion of the event. (Come and dress, up… we are!)

10. I’m only able to attend on Saturday, can I still go? Yes, but there will be no walk-in registrations. You must have

registered for the event online. Please arrive prior to 7:45am on Saturday April 24, 2021 at the Scouts, BSA Main

Pavilion to be checked-in so you can be present for the opening flag ceremony.

11. Should my Scout bring D&D and/or Magic The Gathering accessories? YES YES YES! Friday night we will have a group

of volunteers coming in to run tabletop adventures with the scouts. This group will have pre-generated characters ready

to go and will gift each scout a bag of role-playing dice. But if your scout has a character they really want to play or has

their own special dice please bring them to play with. There will be side tables set-up for Magic The Gathering where

scouts can compete against each other and/or trade cards. It was originally our plan to do a Magic Tournament but due

to not being able to use indoor space the logistics of card playing in mass outdoors is a nightmare waiting to happen.

Lastly, is it limited to D&D and Magic...NOPE, if your scout is a Pokémon player or you prefer Pathfinder over D&D please

bring the accessories along and we will get them situated at a table to play/showcase their favorite game.

12. Other than our usual camping gear, is there any other “gear” that my unit will need to bring? Please bring a compass

if you are able. We will have a limited number available to use at our orienteering program area but bringing your own

will be helpful. However, please do not go out and purchase a compass just for this event. You may want to bring some

pioneering materials in order to construct a useful item around your campsite. Get in the theme and make your site

look fantastic! You may win a prize at firebowl for best campsite entrance NO MOATS!!!!!!!

EVENT PHRASE Huzzah! – (huz*zah) Huzzah is, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, "apparently a mere exclamation". The

dictionary does not mention any specific derivation. Whatever its origins, it has seen occasional literary use since at

least the time of Shakespeare, as the first use was in 1573, according to Merriam-Webster.

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