 
OVERVIEW –
This specifically designed program provides the older Scout an opportunity to work on the merit badges he needs to finish to qualify for Eagle. This program provides many personal growth opportunities for those willing to accept the challenge. EAGLE CAMP is a week-long session OF THE BEST, FOR THE BEST. It is the Academy Award presented to the EAGLE STAFF for the `Outstanding Performance Of The Year By A Role Model’. EAGLE CAMP is the equivalent of the Stanley Cup, the Final Four, the Super Bowl, the World Series, and the Indy 500 all rolled into one for excitement, challenge and satisfaction. Detroit’s EAGLE CAMP focuses on teaching and learning. We sleep in cabins in order to provide a comfortable living space and a place for study. We have our meals prepared by a professional kitchen staff to save time in preparation, cooking and clean-up. All meals are served buffet-style in our dining hall and there are always seconds; always plenty of salads and liquids. Fluids are delivered daily to all Merit Badge sites. Eating together provides for intense camaraderie and competition which results in a powerful display of immense energy. The more vocal the competition, the better everyone enjoys it! WHO ARE WE ?
MISSION -
EAGLE CAMP is a one week, totally structured, rigidly-disciplined, and specifically-timed program, held at Detroit Area Council’s 1,400 acre D-Bar-A Scout Ranch, 65 miles north of Detroit, near Metamora. EAGLE CAMP is highly motivating, extremely competitive and very emotional. 2006 will be our 12th year under this highly successful format. EAGLE CANDIDATES!!!
THIS PROGRAM IS NOT intended to replace the Troop summer camp activity. It provides a superb environment for the older Scout to grow, to set personal goals, to learn to understand values, to experience motivation, and to learn leadership from the most experienced adult mentors in the Boy Scouts. TRAIL TO EAGLE also provides an opportunity to learn and to understand the Eagle required Merit Badges plus more than 70 others. These merit badges are taught in a classroom setting under the tutoring of the most qualified adults in this region: the very best role models anywhere. We EXPECT THAT THE SCOUTS WHO COMPLETE EAGLE CAMP will take the lessons of life and of Scouting they have learned back to their home Troops and welcome the opportunity to take on more responsible leadership roles.
ORGANIZATION –
After the first of the year, Scouts whose Applications are accepted, are randomly assigned to eight Eagle Troops designated by colored baseball-style caps. We reach capacity around the first of the year. No applications are accepted after MARCH 1. A waiting list is started when we reach 190 Scouts. In 2005, we hosted Scouts from 74 Michigan Councils, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Germany. Our Eagle Troops have 4 or 5 adult co-Scoutmasters plus at least one Eagle Scout or near-Eagle Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. Each Eagle Troop selects its own Patrol Leaders and SPL. Our 2005-9 EAGLE CAMP provided a ratio of 1 Staff member for each 2 1/2 Scouts. From the very beginning, Troop spirit, comradeship, knowledge, motivation, and teamwork (the Patrol method) are strenuously encouraged and promoted by the entire EAGLE STAFF.
ONCE AN EAGLE, ALWAYS AN EAGLE!
STAFF –
This is one of the secrets of our success. A blend of talented, enthusiastic, younger leaders works together with a hand-picked group of older, highly motivated, Scouting-experienced women and men, who in 2003 averaged 26.7 years in the BSA. The 2005 Staff consisted of 90 members and contained 10 women who averaged over 17 years in Scouting. Eighteen leaders under 21 averaged over 10 years in Scouts and 60 men averaging 25.9 years in Scouting. 99% of the adult Staff have served Scouting as Scoutmasters or Assistant SMs. While many are still in these roles, this Staff has also served Detroit Area Council and 8 other Councils as Commissioners, Council and District Committee Chairmen and members, JLT Course Directors, World and National Jambo Staffs, NESA President, O/A Lodge and Chapter Advisors and Chiefs, Wood Badge Staff, Senior District Executive, and many other leadership roles. Our Scout Executive, our Professional Advisors, and 9 of the original 18-member TRAIL TO EAGLE Staff have been with us all 12 years of this Program. On the 2005 Staff, 38 are Eagles; 33 are Wood Badge trained; 49 are Order Of The Arrow members with 23 Vigil Honor Members; 33 have been awarded the Silver Beaver and several have received the Meany Award; the Whitney Young Award and the Distinguished Scoutmaster Award. The District Award of Merit, Religious Awards, Commissioner Awards, and Council Training Awards are too numerous to mention as is attendance at National and World Jamborees and National O/A Conferences. The 2005 Staff represented 6 Michigan Councils, Massachusetts, and New York. The qualifications, expertise and credentials of this Staff are second to none in the country, and are the foundation for this premier Program. These men and women were selected for their ability to communicate with and relate to your teenage son.
MERIT BADGE PROGRAM –
All Merit Badge Counselors are adults with professional expertise or career experience for the Merit Badges they counsel. Each Counselor is selected for their knowledge and ability to communicate that knowledge.
Each Counselor is approved by our Council’s Advancement Committee. These Counselors are assisted by our younger Staff members as a learning experience for them. In 2005, we offered 84 different Merit Badges. Each Eagle Candidate receives his own individual MB class schedule for each day. EAGLE CAMP IS NOT A MERIT BADGE MILL. It is a learning experience, taught by adults, who demand that all requirements must be completed to the Counselor’s satisfaction. The secret of our Merit Badge Program is BE PREPARED! Con- tact your Counselors! Know the requirements! Complete your pre-reqs! Bring your projects, etc. to Camp!
PROGRAM STANDARDS –
EAGLE CANDIDATES MUST remain in Camp the entire week! UNIFORM is required for flag lowering and dinner every evening! Scout shorts and Scout T-shirt REQUIRED all other times. An ‘In-Town’ EAGLE TROOP meeting is held in March plus other Troop meetings before EAGLE CAMP. Each Troop patrol makes its own flag and develops its spirit and cheers. There is additional training for JASMs and SPLs. Parents, families and friends are invited to the closing `Honors Ceremony’ at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 8, 2006 at EAGLE CAMP.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS –
In past years we have enjoyed many awesome, competitive, and emotional activities not normally available to a lot of us. Included have been a campfire with Indians arriving by canoe and on horseback; volleyball tournament; hot air balloon launch; Indian dancing; fire works; CPR course; Vesper Trail; George Thomas Award; Water Ball contest;; life-like robots; patch exhibit / trading; real live hot rods; Vipers, Prowlers, and Hummers; Spirit Award; `tipi’ setup; 42 foot climbing tower; Order Of The Arrow ice cream social; Eagle Camp Jeopardy overnight horseback rides; 12 man war canoes; a slide show of activities during your week at EAGLE CAMP. What other Scout Camp offers these activities? |
