The sap is running!   Temperatures in the first week of March reached the required 40 degree mark and the tree tapping has begun.  Derek Fournier, Maple Syrup Days coordinator, reports that he began tapping trees, hanging buckets, and installing tubing on Monday.  According to reports, over 125 gallons of sap have already been collected in the first week of the season.  And excitement is building.

Once again Maple Syrup Days will be held on three consecutive weekends, March 20, 27 and April 3.   High demand has already filled both of the day long sessions in March, but if you and your Scout unit want to spend a day at camp learning and harvesting and preparing maple syrup now is the time to sign up for Saturday, April 3.  Spots still remain available but they are going fast.

Derek also wants to remind Scouters that he is still welcoming volunteers who can help staff the event for any of the weekends.   There will be a good number of participants and help is needed all around.  Contact Derek directly via

To learn all about Maple Syrup Days at Bear Paw, be sure to read our Maple Days page.

Did you ever wonder how folks are selected to serve as commissioners for summer camp?   Well, each spring seasoned Bear Paw veterans agree to donate their time to help guide troops through their week at camp.  The volunteers are selected based on skills and availability, and are matched with units and co-workers who can make their experience great.

We have created a commissioner page in the summer camp program section of this site to tell you all about the role of the commissioner.  (Yes is is more than lying in a hammock!)  Be sure to read all about what a commissioner does and how he helps scouts and units in camp.

If  you would like to volunteer, complete the Commissioner Interest Form that is located on the commissioner page.   This simple form helps find the best folks for the job and balance staffing for 2010.   Feel free to submit, even if you have already returned a post card.

Further discussion about the commissioner program is underway on our Bulletin Board.  Join Camp Commissioner Coordinator, LuAnn  Matuszak, in the conversation and help make Bear Paw 2010 great.

Just a reminder.  If you are looking to take advantage of the reduced fees for summer camp, be sure that you have made your first installment payment by 1 March.

Learn all of the details by studying our Summer Camp Fees page.

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.