THE BUCKSKIN FIRST YEAR CAMPER PROGRAM 
     For new scouts, the Buckskin First Year Camper Program is the place to be!  This is 
a carefully developed program designed to meet the needs of 
boys who have not yet achieved First Class.  The Buckskin 
program, housed at Fort (????) next to the ???? has a dedicated 
staff which operates an all day (9:00am-12:00pm & 2:00-4:00pm) 
session.  This program includes both the First Aid & Swimming 
Merit Badges as well as the opportunity to earn several 
Handicraft Merit Badges.  Although we have had a first year 
camper program in past years the 1995 program has been given a 
new identity and for the first time ever each participant will 
receive a special button that they will help design with their 
Buckskin Patrol name on it.  The Buckskin program reflects the 
current Tenderfoot - 1st Class Progress Award requirements.  We 
have added more youth staff with a goal of achieving an 8 to 1 
camper to staff ratio in order to emphasis the patrol method 
with a staff member acting as guide for each "patrol".       
The Buckskin program is designed to compliment, not replace, 
the unit's own new scout training program.  Major goals of the 
program are to familiarize scouts with the basic outdoor 
skills.  These goals are achieved through the overnighter trip, 
events in the Buckskin Program area, and a Carnival of 
Scoutcraft Skills event on Fridays.  More excitement is 
provided with the use of multi-media shows including the 
Paramount Pictures trail to First Class video tape series.  
Scouts will also have the opportunity to earn items such as the 
Tote-n and Fire-n Chips.  When unit advancements are handed 
out, unit leaders will receive a special report on each scout 
showing which progress award items were accomplished during the 
week.      More than just a way for the new scout to earn a 
major portion of the Tenderfoot - First Class badge 
requirements, the program seeks to provide a basic 
understanding of scouting's Aims & Methods.  The Patrol concept 
is introduced and stressed throughout the week with 
competitions between the program groups.  A short history of 
scouting and an overview of scouting's high adventure, 
national, and international aspects will be presented.  The 
Buckskin campers will share what they have learned at the 
Friday night campfire with a skit for parents called "How 
Scouting Came to America."      An overview of the entire 
advancement program is explained, proper uniforming stressed, 
and ideas presented so the scout can better understand the 
significance of what occurs at his home scout meeting.  Upon 
completion of the program, if the Unit Board of Review accepts 
the recommendations of the Buckskin staff, scouts will need to 
complete those remaining requirements which can not be 
completed at a scout camp such as the 30 day physical fitness 
exercise requirement and the participation in troop & patrol 
activities.  In cooperation with the Camp Chaplain special 
counseling will be available to assist new scouts who may be 
experiencing homesickness or are having problems adjusting to 
camp life.      Scoutmasters are encouraged to come to Fort ??? 
each day to work with their scouts involved in the Buckskin 
program.  A special part of the Buckskin Program for 
Scoutleaders is a discussion (see master schedule for exact 
time & location) & orientation conducted by the Buckskin & 
Program Directors at Fort ????  This seminar is designed to 
help scoutmasters with a brief overview of the  Tenderfoot - 
1st Class Progress Award system and to review the progress of 
their scouts enrolled in the program.  During the meeting we 
hope to make leaders aware of some of the media and materials 
available to troops.      Scouts taking the Buckskin program 
should not sign up for any other badges.  A scout who has been 
in the troop for some time and has already advanced to second 
class may find much of the program repetitive.  Those scouts 
will have the option of setting an appointment with the First 
Year Camper Director (with Scoutmaster approval) to work on 
individual Progress Award requirements which they may lack at 
4pm each day.      Two "big events" occur in the program during 
the week. The first we call the "Wednesday Overnighter".  On 
Friday these & other skills will be demonstrated at a special 
Carnival of Scoutcraft skills.      Swimming Skills are largely 
completed during the Sunday swim check and later on in Swimming 
Merit Badge class.  Those scouts unable to pass the swimming 
test can take Red Cross Swim Instruction.   All First Aid 
skills are covered in depth as part of the First Aid Merit 
Badge class.      In addition to skill instruction, which 
includes active lab participation in cooking, knot tying, and 
compass course reading  All scouts will memorize and learn the 
significance of the Boy Scout Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan, & 
Outdoor Code. EACH BUCKSKIN CAMPER SHOULD BRING HIS SCOUT 
HANDBOOK WITH HIM EACH DAY.  A separate day by day Buckskin 
First Year Camper Program Schedule is available at the camp 
office or from the course director.