Participants are expected to come to camp prepared for variable weather. Although temperatures average between 40 to 60 degrees during winter camp, temperatures have been known to dip as low as 19 degrees and rise as high as 80 degrees.

Sources - Scouting Magazine: Winter camping tips and tricks to help you enjoy the fourth season, Eight essentials for staying warm while cold-weather camping, Outdoor Smarts: How to Keep Warm in Camping's Fourth Season; Boys' Life: How to Stay Warm With the Right Winter Gear

Dressing for the cold. When dressing for cold weather, focus on a layering system including the three Ws: wicking, warmth and wind. Your base layer should be wicking (like an athletic shirt), an insulating layer should be warming (like fleece or wool) and an exterior layer should block the wind. Use clothing you have, focusing on the right combination of fabrics. 

• Wicking Layer or Base. Also commonly known as long underwear, the base layer is worn closest to your skin. Its main job is to wick away sweat and moisture so your skin stays dry. Wear it relatively tight to the skin and use only wool or synthetic base layers. Never use cotton because it will not keep you warm once it’s wet, whether from sweat or precipitation. These base layers come in various weights, from heavy for frigid conditions to lightweight for warmer temps and activities that cause a lot of sweating, such as strenuous hiking and cross-country skiing. It’s a good idea to have one extra pair of base layers to change into every night at camp.
• Warmth Layer or Insulation. The insulation layer is worn atop the base layer and is designed to provide the majority of your insulation. It should be made of fleece, wool, down or synthetic insulation and can be a pullover, zip-up jacket or vest, depending on how much insulation you need.
• Windproofing Layer or Shell. The outermost layer, the shell jacket and pants protect you from wind and wet conditions. There are two types of shells: the hard shell is a lightweight layer that’s windproof and waterproof, capable of handling heavy rain and very wet conditions; a soft shell is made of a more flexible, soft-faced material that’s windproof yet highly breathable, and water-resistant enough to protect you against everything except a heavy downpour.

Mittens. Mittens are warmer than gloves. If insulated mittens get wet, they stay that way. Wool mitts worn inside leather or nylon shells are removable for faster drying. Wool gloves are needed for dexterity when cooking.

Sleeping. Be sure to change into dry clothes for sleeping — moisture retained in field clothes will cause chilling. For overnight warmth, wear wool, polypropylene or polyester (never cotton!) long johns, socks and a balaclava to bed. Place a scarf across your neck to seal drafts.

Sleeping bags. Two sleeping bags — one placed inside the other — should provide enough warmth down to about zero degrees. If you don’t have a closed-cell foam pad to use as a sleeping mat, try half-inch-thick foam carpet padding.

Ground cloth. In warmer months, a plastic ground cloth should be used inside your tent to stay dry. However, in winter, use the ground cloth beneath your tent to keep it from freezing to the ground.

Toes cold? Put on a hat. Your body loses up to half of its total heat in 40-degree temperatures. So, when it’s below freezing and your head is uncovered, you could be radiating more than three-fourths of your overall body heat from your head.

Baggy clothes are back in style at least in the freezing-cold wilderness. Your body heats itself most efficiently when it’s enveloped in a layer of warm air. If your clothes are too tight, you’re strangling the cold right out of your body. Dressing in loose layers helps aid this convection layer of air. Tight clothes or too-tight boots can also restrict blood-flow.

The three W’s. Every cold-weather camper needs to dress for the occasion. You’ll need a wicking layer (long underwear), a “warm” layer (fleece) and a “wind” layer (waterproof shell).

Stay hydrated. In winter, you may not be aware of how much you’re sweating. A gulp of ice-cold water is hardly appetizing, but it is important to keep drinking. Hot drinks and soup are a great way to replenish liquids, electrolytes, and heat. Keep extra tea bags on hand, as well as bouillon cubes, and hand out hot drinks liberally, especially at the end of the day when energy is low.

Membership

All participants must be registered members of the Boys Scouts of America.

Patrols

Troops will divide their Scouts into patrols with a minimum of six Scouts up to a maximum of 12 Scouts per patrol.  

Leadership

The senior patrol leader is in charge of and responsible for the conduct of the troop at all times during camporee.

All units must ensure sufficient leadership and comply with the BSA supervision requirements. Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required. There must be a registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over in every unit serving females. A registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over must be present for any activity involving female youth. Notwithstanding the minimum leader requirements, age- and program-appropriate supervision must always be provided.

Location

The camporee will be held at the Camp Mauritz located near Ganado, TX. From Sugar Land, take Hwy 59 south heading towards Victoria. Exit in Ganado on FM 710 heading west.  Travel approximate a mile to County Road 258.  Turn left, and proceed about a mile to County Road 256.  Turn right until reaching the entrance to Camp Mauritz on the right.  Enter the camp and follow the dirt road to the parking lot.  There will be a staff member directing you to the parking lot.

Alcohol and Tobacco

Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at Scouting functions. The use of any tobacco product is discouraged at any time at a BSA event

Weather

Everyone must be fully prepared for variable weather conditions at this time of the year. Temperature ranges over the weekends could be quite cold to quite warm. Scouts are encouraged to bring necessary clothing to be as comfortable as possible at both of these extremes.

Reminder: effective April 30, 2018, new direct contact leaders must have completed Hazardous Weather Training to be considered position trained. Hazardous Weather Training can be taken at www.myscouting.org.

First Aid

The first aid station will be located in the training center building and marked with a red cross sign and is available 24 hours per day. Please be sure to advise your patrol members of its location, which will be announced at the Friday evening leaders meeting. Volunteers are needed to staff the first aid station. 

Equipment Drop-off / Parking 

Each troop will be allowed to drop off troop equipment at the troop campsite. Please make every effort to unload completely prior to setting up your camp. Due to safety concerns, all vehicles must remain in the designated parking area until Sunday morning. Please Do Not drive to or park in your campsite. There will be no vehicles allowed on the activity areas. Please drive slowly through the camp.

Restrooms

Portable toilets will be available in the field adjacent to the main parking lot. Flushing toilets and showers are located on the west side of the main parking lot.  No trash is to be disposed of in these facilities. It is recommended that each troop bring toilet paper, just in case. Please consider others and keep them clean. A Scout is clean.

Help / Questions During the Event

If help is needed, the camporee committee and staff will help as much as possible. Ask for help at any time to solve misunderstandings. All camporee staff will wear a distinctive shirt for easy identification. 

Check-in

Check-in will begin at 6:30 pm Friday.  Upon arrival, directions to campsites will be given. BSA Annual Health and Medical Record for all participants must be submitted to the registration staff. Inform the registration staff of any Scouts or Scouters who have special needs.

Check-out 

When the troop is ready to leave on Sunday morning, send a representative to the headquarters, a staff member will then visit the campsite for inspection. After passing inspection, troop leaders will be given event patches and medical forms will be returned.

Saturday night check-out

Any unit checking out on Saturday must make prior arrangements with the event chair. This will ensure that a proper campsite inspection takes place before the unit’s departure.

Medical Forms

The unit leader must have BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Part A & B) for each Scout and Scouter participating in a binder. The binder will be turned in to the health and safety Officer at check-in. All forms must be completed and signed by the parent or legal guardian.

Campsites

Each troop will be assigned a campsite adequate for the number of Scouts indicated during registration. A large number of last minute additions may result in overcrowding of campsites so please have an accurate count for registration. Be reminded to have a first aid kit, trash bags, patrol duty roster, and meal planner visible in the campsite.

Cooking

Each patrol should cooking using the patrol method and must furnish its own food and cooking supplies except for the meal provided on Saturday evening. Units should plan on preparing sack lunches for Saturday. Scouts will not be returning to camp during the lunch period.  

Garbage

All participants should follow Leave No Trace practices. Units must take all trashed and unburned firewood.  Carry in – Carry Out.

Campsite Inspection

Each campsite will be inspected Saturday afternoon. Participants should demonstrate the patrol method and use BSA’s low impact camping guidelines. Campsite inspectors will be looking for the items listed above in the above campsite section.

Fire Safety 

Fires will be allowed, provided each unit abides by the following rules:

1. Keep fires in the fire rings provided in each site.
2. Leave No Trace of fire
3. Bring a shovel, rake, and fire buckets
4. Never leave a fire unattended

Water

Potable water is available in each campsite. All troops should bring their own containers for water in their campsites as needed.

Conduct

Scout should not enter the camping area of another troop without permission. Defacing, destroying, or trashing of the property of others or the property of BSA is strictly forbidden. Scouts are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will bring credit to their unit and the BSA.

Interfaith Service

An interfaith service will be conducted for all participants on Sunday morning. An interfaith service is a brief worship or meditation, specifically designed for Scouting events where there may be members of more than one faith group. The intention of an interfaith service (formerly known as a Scouts’ Own) is to provide a spiritual focus during a camping experience that does not reflect the views of a particular denomination or faith. An interfaith service can be defined as a gathering of Scouts held to contribute to the development of their spirituality and to promote a fuller understanding of the Scout Oath and Law, with emphasis on one’s Duty to God.

Uniforms

Full field uniform should be during all flag ceremonies, worship service, the Order of the Arrow ceremony on Saturday evening, and during general assembly Sunday morning. 

Leaders Meeting

All senior patrol leaders and Scoutmasters (or their designee) from each troop should attend the leaders meeting on Friday night at 10:15 pm at headquarters for final instructions and schedules. Please bring a chair and be prepared to take notes. 

Disabilities

Scouts with a physical disability are encouraged to participate in all camporee activities. Patrols will not be penalized for a Scout’s inability to complete a challenge due to disability.

Cancellation

Camporee will happen rain or shine unless there is going to be dangerous weather. Be prepared for all types of weather and conditions. Camporee will not have a rain date. Late-breaking information will be emailed to all leaders who registered.

Scout Spirit

Patrol flags, patrol yells, a great team dynamic, and good sportsmanship will all come into play towards Scout spirit!