While it may seem like we are in the depths of winter, the spring is approaching and with it, Bear Paw Maple Syrup Days.   Maple Syrup Days is a one day activity, held this year on March 20, March 27, and April 3, when Scouts and Scouters of all ages participate in the harvesting and processing of raw sap into pure maple syrup.  The all-day event includes lessons and hands on work in collecting and making Bear Paw Maple Syrup.  And the best part, it includes tasting.

I asked Maple Days organizer, Derek Fournier, for more about the operation and he shared these fun facts about maple syrup and about the Bear Paw Sugar Bush.

• Wisconsin ranks fourth in the United States in maple syrup production, after Vermont, New York, and Maine
• Each tap will yield an average of 10 gallons of sap per season, producing about one quart of maple syrup.
• Maple syrup contains as much calcium as does milk. Is an excellent source of potassium, yet is low in sodium.  Contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals.  Contains no fat, no cholesterol, and is the lowest in calories of all the natural sweeteners
• For 2010 approximately 210 trees will be tapped at Bear Paw
• Scouts at the Bear Paw Sugar Bush collected 2700 gallons of sap in 2008.  It was evaporated into 58 gallons of pure maple syrup or about 300 table sized 12oz bottles.

The volunteer staff for maple days is ready to handle hoards of interested Boy Scout  and Venture Scout units and plenty of room remains available for units to register for any of the three Saturday sessions.  Units can register by sending the completed registration form to the Center for Scouting in Appleton.   If you are hoping to make a weekend of it, campsites are still available throughout camp for a Polar Bear experience or contact the Center for Scouting to enquire about limited indoor unit camping that may be still be available at Bear Paw or down the road at Gardner Dam Scout Camp.

Be sure to visit the Maple Days page on this site to learn all about the program or join the conversation on the Bulletin Board.  Also find a Frequently Asked Questions discussion on the Bulletin Board.

With the coming of the new year the energies turn toward preparation for summer camp at full steam.  Whether you made your reservation six months ago or you are still considering bringing your unit to Bear Paw this summer there are plenty of things that need your attention in the winter months.

• Adult Leaders, new and experienced, have opportunities to learn about Bear Paw 2010 by attending the Summer Camp Leader Orientation,  9:30 to 1:00 January 30 at Fox Valley Technical College.
• Campsites are still available for those looking to make a reservation for 2010.  A refundable $50 reservation fee can hold a campsite for the season.   For more details contact the Council Center for Scouting.
• In order to take advantage of the reduced camp fees, installment payments must be made in advance.  The deadline for the first installment payment is March 1.
• The 2010 Summer Camp Leaders Guide has been released.  If you have a fast internet connection you can download the whole thing, or we have broken out the pieces so that you can get direct access to the forms and sections that apply to you or have changed for 2010.

In November, the Bay-Lakes Council put out the call… and the call has been answered.

Due to the growing need to transport Scouts and Scouters off camp property to participate in Adventure programs, the Bay-Lakes Council went hunting for anyone who might have access to a passenger van or similar vehicle for use at Bear Paw during the summer.

We would like to extend our thanks to Scouter Ken Lamers and his Bear Paw Staff Alumnus son Lee Lamers for donation of a newly repurposed bus. The bus has been carefully cleaned, repainted, and prepared for its new home in the Northwoods (no pine tree air freshener needed).

Please join us in extending a hearty, thank you to all involved in this fancy new tool, that has surely found a happy home for years to come.

Join the great bus insignia design debate, underway on the message board.

Start your Bear Paw camping experience off on the right foot by attending the 2010 Camp Leader Orientation on January 30. Join your fellow leaders in a fun and informative day that can help provide you with a better summer. Neil Walker, Bear Paw’s own camp director will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about programming, paperwork, staffing, and much more.
The orientation will be held at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton from 9:30a.m. – 1:00p.m. (Use entrance door #10.) Along with some great door prizes, coffee and pastries will be served for everyone’s enjoyment. Please remember to mark this event on your calendar even if it’s your twentieth summer at camp.

Crew 9001 of Bear Paw Scout Camp would like to extend an invitation to all past and present staff members to join in celebrating the New Year at camp. This annual event continues to bring together generations of Bear Paw Staff members. Past celebrations have included football on the lake, sledding, cross-country skiing, a huge fire, and much more.  The crew’s New Year celebration starts at 5pm on December 30, 2009 and lasts until noon January 1, 2010.

Dan Carriveau, the crew president, would like to remind everyone to report to Saffran Lodge upon arrival and to bring a dish to share for one of the meals.  (spaghetti, pancakes, lasagna, etc.)  Attendees must bring your own sleeping gear, snacks and soda/drinks.  The event has an open format, so feel free to arrive and leave anytime that is convenient for you.  Also remember to wear clothes that will fit the day’s fun activities, reminding you that there is no such thing as bad weather just inappropriate clothing.

Separate youth and adult, male and female sleeping accommodations will be made. All camp rules apply for this event, see Short Term Camping Guidebook for any questions.

Contact Crew President Dan Carriveau President Dan Carriveau with questions and join the conversation with your suggestions and meal contributions on the Bulletin Board.

Hmmm,  disc golf in snowshoes…  I wonder

Camp Director Neil Walker is proud to announce the interview dates for those interested in working on the 2010 summer camp staff. Interviews will be held at the Bay-Lakes Council Scout Shop locations on four days. Dates are as follows:

Saturday, December 19, 9:00 – 4:00, Green Bay Scout Shop
Monday, December 28, 9:00 – 4:00, Green Bay Scout Shop

Tuesday, December 29, 3:00 – 7:00, Appleton Center for Scouting
Wednesday, December 30, 11:00 – 5:00, Appleton Center for Scouting

If you are interested in becoming a member of the 2010 staff, completed applications should be mailed to the Camp Director. Email the Camp Director to request a mailing address. Qualified applicants will be contacted via email or telephone to make an interview appointment.

To learn more about the job, be sure to review our special Staff section.

Just a reminder to all, Bear Paw will be closed starting Saturday 21 November, until Sunday 29 November for the 2009 Wisconsin white-tail deer hunt. No campers will be permitted in camp for these nine days. Camp engineers and other volunteers who make special arrangements may be permitted to work at camp during this time, but are reminded that special blaze orange requirements are in place. If you would like to learn more, please contact Camp Ranger Andy Anderson.

Good luck, and happy hunting to all.

A week of volunteered sweat has brought major progress on the repair to Saffran Lodge.  Camp Ranger Andy Anderson has great photographs and news of this badly needed repair posted in the bulletin board.

This project is one of many, undertaken by the Bear Paw Camp Engineers over the course of the year.   This group of dedicated volunteers applies their special construction and engineering skills and knowledge to build and repair facilities around camp.  If you want to learn more about joining the camp engineers, start by contacting Andy directly or joining the conversation in the Ranger’s Corner

Summer camp 2010 is still 250 some odd days in the future (I think somebody, somewhere is counting), now is the time to start assembling the 2010 Bear Paw Staff.  The Bay-Lakes Council is now accepting applications for Scouts who will be at least 15 years old by 1 June 2010 to serve at Bay-Lakes Council camps.  Applications received this fall will be selected for interviews to be held during the winter holiday season.

If you are interested and want to learn what it takes to become a member of the Bear Paw Staff, be sure to read our Summer Camp Staff page. Or better yet, become a member and post your question on the Bulletin Board.  That place is crawling with seasoned staff members who would be glad to answer your questions and help you with your decision.

We look forward to hearing from you.  Good Luck!

On October 2-4, a group of adult leaders will descend on camp to finish their Leader Training.  Hosted by the Gathering Waters district, this is the final part of a training course that began earlier this month.

While at camp, they will be putting their new knowledge to the test in the outdoor setting, selecting campsites, learning hiking and packing techniques (including “Leave no trace”), outdoor cooking, practicing woods tools, and planning a campfire program, among many other things.  The adults form patrols just like the boys do, and work together on various projects.  This allows them to return to their troops and provide the best opportunities for the boys as they advance through Scouting.

There are three main components to the BSA Scout Leader training program.  A fully trained leader learns the role of the Scoutmaster in the troop, troop administration & program planning, and the outdoor program & advancement.  If you’ve missed the training this time around, don’t worry, new training sessions are held regularly at various locations.

Contact the Center for Scouting for more information about adult leader training programs and how you might participate.