WELCOME TO THE NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL CAMPS WEBSITE
Attention Last Minute Campers!
We have a great deal for you! Click here to go to our special page listing all sites and lodges still available over the next two weekends. If you are looking to throw together a camping trip or need to change your plans in a hurry, we're here to help!
New in Camp...
Well, not so much in the camps right now, but this website is a new and improved version of our successful camps information site. We've included even more information about our sites and lodges, new information about programs and support offered, a section on patches, information on the Alumni Associations at both camps, and more service opportunities.
Take a good look around and let us know what you think! Send your comments to tbongard@nepabsa.org and dsrebro@nepabsa.org - we'd love to hear from you, good or bad!
Service Opportunities
There are several ways you can be involved in helping out at either of our camps.
Weekend service projects during your campouts are very welcome and encouraged. Be sure to check with Ranger Tim Bongard to see what is needed and available for your unit to do. We'll try to match up the camp needs to the size and age of your unit.
Adopt-a-Site and Adopt-a-Lodge are two other great ways for your unit to show your passion for your favorite camping place. We'll exchange work for camping privileges if you sign up for a specific site as "yours" in a given year. See Ranger Tim for more details.
Alumni Associations
Separate Alumni Associations have been created for both camps for all those who have a passion for Goose Pond and for Camp Acahela. These terrific groups are dedicated to seeing both camps continue to serve our area youth (and adults!) in vibrant and exciting ways for years to come with some pretty creative projects.
You can register on-line for either or both associations.
For Goose Pond, click here to register.
For Camp Acahela, click here to register.
It doesn't matter if you part of our council or not. If The Pond or Acahela hold a special place in your heart, join! There simply isn't any better way to show you really care about these very special places!
Becoming a member of the Grumpy Old Bears is easy and fun. The old construction corps from years past has been brought back with a new twist, new mission, and a host of new projects. If you're interested in joining up, see Ranger Tim or click here to register on-line.
Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of this page!
Get the Latest on Summer Camp Here!
Get the latest lowdown on what will be happening at Goose Pond Scout Reservation and at Camp Acahela for the Summer of 2010. Each page will act as a portal to provide you with forms, timelines, pricing, programs, and other useful information. Click the appropriate button above and explore the great opportunities we have for you this year.
And for the
off-season...
New Plug-in
Programming Information
Add ready-to-go and supported activities to
your weekend trip including advancement support!
We're also working hard on improving our camps and what we have to offer in the off-season as well. We're pleased to announce a new program that will allow units to select activities in advance of their weekend stay with us, making our camps a true year-round resource. If you think adding the ability to return home with a signed "Blue Card" is a cool idea, then click here to get more details!
Special Wildlife CSPs Benefit Both Camps
The
2010 edition Wildlife CSPs are available for purchase featuring the American
Bald Eagle and the Blue Heron. Each patch is available in both the standard
edition versions (at $7.00 each) and in the Special Serialized edition
versions ($25.00 each or $150.00 for the 6 Serialized patches). 200 sets of
the Special Serialized
edition
versions were created and a number of the sets are still available (which
include the 2008 edition patches which are no longer available any other way
as of December 31, 2009).
patches can be purchased at our Council Scout Shop, at the Acahela Trading Post, or by placing an order. Click here for an order form and be sure to get yours today!
Click here to see what numbered sets are still available!
NOTICE: Firewood Restrictions
"Hey Ranger Tim, Can we bring our own firewood to your camps?"
ANSWER: That depends on what it is, where you are from, when you come to camp. A ban on ALL wood from outside the immediate Pocono region will go into effect on June 1, 2010. For now, we are strongly encouraging you to use the firewood we have available in either camp. You can either gather and cut your own from dead fall and downed wood laying around the camp - as always, this is free. Or, you can purchase cut and split wood from us at $5 a milk crate. This will be between 5 to 10 pieces of wood, depending on how large they are and this comes out to be a rate cheaper than what you will find in the immediate area. This is being done as part of our active participation in preserving our forests and help slow the spread of potentially deadly spores, viruses, blights, and insects that are not native to the Pocono Region. So please help us in this effort, and if you have any questions about it, feel free to contact me at tbongard@nepabsa.org. Remember, as of June 1, 2010, only native wood from the property or a nearby supplier (a receipt will be required), will be allowed as firewood at either Acahela or Goose Pond.
Also, as of January 1, 2010 , NO CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL or PALLETS will be allowed to be burned in any of our facilities regardless of where it is from. The nails and other hardware, plus potentially toxic outgassing of burning preservatives or finishes makes this practice unacceptable in a Scout Camp, regardless of what may have been allowed in the past. Again, if you have any questions about this policy, feel free to contact me at tbongard@nepabsa.org or call me at (570) 335-0283.
Calling all Campmasters and "Grumpy Old Bears"...
The Campmasters and Construction Corps has been reorganized and is back in operation as of September of 2008. There have been several changes including a new moniker for the group - "The Grumpy Old Bears". Members can choose which way they want to serve - as "openers", "closers", as instructors in our new FS-RTD! activities program, or as a member of our Construction Group working on various projects. And of course, if you want to do the traditional whole weekend Campmaster deal, you can do that too! Click here to register or here to find out more.