Camping & Outings

Camping and Outings Coordinators are essential to the smooth running of any Camp Out or Troop Activity. Forms and List need to be made and turned in so that Scouts get credit for particapation and adults get rememburst for expenses. The following forms and Council Camping information can help accomplish this. If you have volunteered to be an Activity Coordinator please download the forms you need from the list below

Camping & Outing Expense Report Local Tour Permit Council Camping Application

Activites Coordinator Patrol Camp Out Sign-Up Patrol Outing Sign-Up

Camp Out Menu Planner Council Camp Regulations Council Weekend Camping Rules

Most of our week-end camping is done during the "Scout Year" which runs from September to June. As such, camping when the temperature is below 50 dgrees is more likely than above it. Check out Cold Weather Camping for how to prepare and enjoy camping at it's best

Packing for any Camp-Out can be a challenge and the key to enjoying your trip. Packing clothing individually in ziplock bags helps keep things dry and clean until used and makes them more accessable when seaching for something in the dark. Using a magic type marker to identify what's in the bag is also very helpful

Week End Camping Winter Camping Summer Camp

Troop 285 has had a recent change to our distribution of funds for Popcorn Sales. Please use the following link for information on this program Popcorn Sales

GNFC Spring Popcorn 2009! 

All Scouts can earn their way to camp!
(or Birchbark...or Philmont...or Jamboree 2010)

From March 15^th through May 15^th, your online sales at Orderpopcorn.com can count towards your camp expenses. Invite your family, friends, and out of town relatives to support your camping experience by ordering online with your Scout Order Key. Customers can simply visit Orderpopcorn.com, type in your personal Scout Order Key, and your online sales will automatically be tracked on the website. 

Forms

Class 3 Medical Form Class 1 & 2 Medical Form

Merit Badges

Greater Niagara Frountier Council Merit Badge Counselors

Troop 285 is always looking for parents with Special Interest that will help our Scouts on the trail to Eagle. Click Here for the Application to become a Merit Badge Counselor and Here for the Adult Leader Application, both are required to be a Merit Badge Counselors.

Special Message to the Parents of Troop 285

To all Troop 285 Parents:We need your Talents--just a little time and no money. In return, our Scouts in Troop 285 will be forever grateful. Here's how: As of earlier this year, all Merit Badge Counselors within the Greater Niagara Frontier Council (that's us) were asked to renew their applications so that records could be updated. Unfortunately, many missed this information, and, as a result, Troop 285's Roster of MB Counselors, for the convenience of our youth, has been significantly reduced.

Please use the above links to download an Adult Volunteer Application and a Merit Badge Counselor Application. These will take less than 5 minutes to complete but mean a million hours of recognition from our boys. What merit badges could you possibly consider? Please take a look at www.meritbadge.com for the most up-to-date list of the bazillions of possible badges. Look for areas of interest, hobbies, vocations, dreams, etc. You do NOT need to be an expert--just interested. The boys do the work; us counselors guide and mentor.

Can you help?

If so, please print both forms. Fill them out.

Mike will arrange the necessary signatures and submit to GNFC. You're done. That's it. You have become an all-critical Merit Badge Counselor for our boys.

Any questions, please contact Mike Druding at: 716-662-9617.

Remember, It's for the boys

The latest list of all the Merit Badge Counselors for the GNFC available for Scout of Troop 285 is available HERE