Troop 9
Summer Camp
Camp Bonner and Pamlico Sea Base

Troop 9's 2007 Summer Camp will be held from  July 8 to July 14 at Camp Bonner.  Pamlico Sea Base is an option for Scouts 14 and over who desire a high adventure experience.   These are separate but adjacent programs, both are located on Blounts Bay on the Pamlico Sound in Eastern North Carolina.
 
Your decision to attend must be made quickly.  These are popular programs with limited capacities and will fill up very soon.  The deposit for either program is $50.  Please make your check(s) out to BSA Troop 9 and bring them along to tomorrow night's Troop Meeting.  We can answer most questions parents and Scouts have at the Troop meeting.

Camp Bonner - http://www.campbonner.org/ 

A sweeping waterfront Blounts Bay is available for canoeing, rowing, motor boating, skiing, and sail boating. The Boddie  Dining Hall is a state of the art facility. The recently refurbished Brody Pool complex and Shower Facility provides campers the opportunity for swimming. Camp Bonner also has shooting ranges for rifle, shotgun and archery. Repelling tower and  Project C.O.P.E. are also available.
 
Brian Burnham gives this camp top marks, having been there for a week with T39 a few years back.  He said it was very hot and humid but, other than that, they gave a great program and he highly recommended it.  Tom Copeland, the camp director, is from Hillsborough. This is a small camp that can only accommodate 250 maximum Scouts per week.  Their staff of 65 offers an exceptionally high ratio compared to other summer camps.  Camp Bonner is focusing many resources on first year Scouts this Summer.  This link http://www.campbonner.org/forms/wiccaconscouts.pdf explains why newer Scouts will benefit from attending.
 
The fee is $205, with a $50 non-refundable deposit per person.
 
Once we have everyone registered for camp, we will work with the Scouts to sign up for available advancement and merit badge programs at camp.  This links to all offered merit badges at Bonner http://www.campbonner.org/forms/meritbadge.pdf.

Pamlico Sea Base - http://www.pamlicoseabase.org/

For Scouts 14 and older looking for a high adventure experience this Summer.  The road to Sea Base is through Bonner, but it is a completely separate camp.  Adult leadership is provided by Sea Base.  Troop adults may register to attend with our Scouts if space permits.  Each program has a limited number of spaces in three different programs: Sea Kayaking, Sailing and Ironman.  All meals and equipment are provided by Sea Base.   If we do not receive a commitment and deposit for a high adventure program tomorrow night, a Scout will likely only be able to attend Camp Bonner.  Scouts must indicate a first and second preference with their deposit checks:
Sea Kayaking - This program takes place mainly away from Sea Base, where the participants visit Harkers Island, Cape Lookout, Portsmouth Village and Ocracoke Village.   This program is STRENUOUS and takes place mainly on the Outer Banks.  The fee is $325 per person, $50 non-refundable deposit per person. 40 maximum participants per week.
 
Sailing School - This program  is all on-site and is described as "Small Boat Sailing Merit Badge on Steroids".  It is a week of intensive hands-on training and manning a variety of small sailing vessels.  Near the end of the week, each participant has the opportunity to become a certified US Sailing small boat sailor.  This program is INTENSE but takes place entirely at Sea Base.  The fee is $300 per person, $50 non-refundable deposit per person.  10 maximum participants per week.
 
Ironman - cycling, hiking and sea kayaking to cross through eastern North Carolina. This trek crosses the Neuse River, Croatan National Forest, Shackleford (or Bear) Island, Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle and ends in Beaufort, NC. All equipment is provided for the trek.  This program is VERY STRENUOUS and takes place in several off-site locations. The fee is $325 per person, $50 non-refundable deposit per person.  10 maximum participants per week.

Their web sites can answer most questions.  Wayne Vanderburg and Gregg Gerdau are planning to provide leadership at Bonner, with other Troop Parents who can manage to take the time off to attend.  Summer Camp and Sea Base will be memorable experiences for all who attend.  We highly encourage you to send in your deposit and preferences tomorrow night.