Mountaineer -- First Year Camper Program

Fire

The Mountaineer Program is designed for those Scouts who have either just crossed over from Webelos or have limited camping experience. Basic Scout skills for the inexperienced Scout form the basis of the program. After being divided into Mountaineer patrols, Scouts will complete a different Mountaineer Adventure each day. During these adventures, Scouts are instructed in basic Scouting skills including knife, ax and saw, knots and pioneering, orienteering, nature, first aid, citizenship and more.

Mountaineer is a two-hour program held every morning all week. There are two sessions every day. The remainder of the day, Scouts are free to participate in any program or merit badge that interests.

Skills are offered focusing on Tenderfoot through First Class advancement requirements. In addition, Scouts can participate in a five mile hike on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday evenings.

Mountaineer T-Shirt and Patches

All Mountaineer participants will receive a “Mountaineer” t-shirt and a special patch to commemorate their week at camp. This t-shirt and patch are given out to those Scouts participating in the program during Mountaineer Celebration on Friday.

Mountaineer Adult Leader Participation

We recommend each unit assign at least one adult to actively work with their Scouts in the Mountaineer Program.  This includes observation, assistance with safety, discipline and active participation in the five-mile hike.  This is an excellent opportunity for adult leaders to forge a bond with their new Scouts that will last throughout the Scouts’ career and life.

2023 Requirements Covered

The following is a list of BSA Advancement Requirements that are included in the Mountaineer program. Actual requirement completion may vary based on weather and other factors.

Scout

  • 4a, 4b – Knots
  • 5 – Pocketknife

Tenderfoot

  • 2a, 2b, 2c – Cooking
  • 3a, 3b, 3c –Knots
  • 3d – Knife, saw and ax
  • 4a, 4c – First Aid and prevention
  • 4b – Poisonous plants
  • 5a, 5b, 5c – Hiking
  • 7a – Citizenship
  • 8 – EDGE method

Second Class

  • 1b – Leave No Trace
  • 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d – Cooking and Fire
  • 2f, 2g - Knots
  • 3a, 3c, 3d – Compass
  • 6 - First aid
  • 8a, 8b - Citizenship

First Class

  • 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d – Knots and lashing
  • 4a, 4b - Orienteering Course and GPS
  • 5a – Nature
  • 5b, 5c, 5d – Weather
  • 6c, 6d - Canoe and paddle
  • 7a, 7b, 7c, 7f - First Aid

Additional Skills

  • Totin’ Chip and Firem’n Chit

Covered in the optional evening hike

  • Second Class - 3b - 5 mile hike

Covered during swim check on Sunday

  • Second Class – 5b - swimming
  • First Class - 6a - swimming

Covered during Swimming Merit Badge (Scouts BSA must register separately)

  • Second Class – 5a, 5c, 5d - swimming
  • First Class – 6e - Swimming