All applications are required to be turned in before your camp session. Due to safety concerns, any non-registered attendees will be asked to return home until registered.

Bear Resident Camp

**Registration will be available beginning 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 10, 2020 until Bear Camp has met its pre-determined capacity OR through Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., whichever comes first. After that, you will need to sign-up campers for Bear Camp by contacting Barbara Thatsanithone at Barbara.Thatsanithone@scouting.org.

2020 Bear Camp Sessions
Sessions have a limited capacity

Bear Camp Flyer  Cub World Map Camping Resources

Bear Camp programs are conducted during the summer at the Theodore Naish Scout Reservation as a two-day, one-night experience. It is designed especially for boys going into 3rd grade and their parents. Bear Resident Camp is a one-on-one camping experience. Each Scout spends 2 full days and 1 night of fun in the wilderness of Cub World. Boys and their adult partner will participate in many exciting activities listed below.

• • Water Park — Swimming
  • Theme Related Activities — Crafts, Games
  • Outdoor Cooking
  • Special Events
  • Exciting Campfire with Staff and Cub Scout Participation
  • Field Sports — BB Guns, Action Archery
  • Nature and Conservation
  • Campsite Living
  • Central Camp Trading Post

Important Dates

Registration opens on February 11, 2020 at 9am
Online Registration closes on March 17, 2020 at 5pm
Bear Adult Orientation Meetings are May 2, 2020 at 10am
Bills and Rosters will be sent the first week of April
Final Payment Date is April 22, 2020

General Information

Bear Resident Camp is a one-on-one camping experience. Therefore, every youth attending camp must have an adult partner. Special circumstances require the approval of a Heart of America Council Representative.

• We will only collect the $30.00 non-refundable deposit per full-time camper fee at the time of registration in February. You are not expected to pay the full payment or provide names during this online sign-up process. You should be prepared to provide the following information when you register for Bear Camp:
  • The total number of all full-time scout and adult campers your unit is signing-up. Note: Any spots held will be subject to a non-refundable deposit if removed before or on final payment date. Make sure to reserve a realistic number of campers.
  • When registering for camp, you will have the option to Pay Now or Pay Later. Select your method of payment information.
    • Pay Now Option- Credit Card or Debit Card
    • Pay Later Option- Check (If this option is selected, a payment will need to be received in 5 business days to finish registration. If payment is not received in 5 business days, it is not a guarantee the spots will be available.)
  • Primary and Secondary Bear Camp Contact Person Information (strongly recommended to be individuals going to Bear Camp).
• All youth campers attending Bear Camp must be registered members of the BSA. There are no exceptions to this policy.
  • There are no part-time youth campers at Bear Camp.
• At least two(2) adults camping at Bear Camp must be registered with the BSA; it is encouraged that all adults attending Bear Camp be registered with the BSA.
  • Please ensure all youth and two(2) adults are registered PRIOR to arriving at Bear Camp. This will make your check-in much smoother and prevent us from asking campers to go home until they become registered.
  • There are no part-time adults or scouts at Bear Camp.
• Please notify the HOAC Camping Office of any Den Chiefs attending Bear Camp with your Pack and the Boy Scout Troop unit number with which the Den Chief is registered.
• The names of all Bear Scouts and Adults attending Bear Camp along with your final payment will be due on or before April 22, 2020.
  • Each unit who is signed up for Bear Camp by March 17, 2020 will receive their unit billing statement and pack roster in the mail. This information will be sent to the person listed as the Primary Bear Camp Contact Person at the time of registration.
  • The pack roster and final payment must be submitted on or before April 22, 2020. The final payment cannot be made online. It must be made at the Service Center or by mail.
• You may review the Council Camp Refund Policy and download many other resources for your Bear Camp experience at the HOAC Camping Resources page.
• To adjust your existing registration, cancel registration, or for any questions or concerns regarding Bear Camp, contact Barbara Thatsanithone, Program Assistant at Barbara.Thatsanithone@scouting.org or 816-569-4948.
• There will be one Bear Adult Orientation Meeting for the 2020 Camping Season. At least one (1) adult from your unit who is also camping with you this summer at Bear Camp should attend this meeting.
  • Saturday, May 2, 2020 beginning promptly at 10:00 a.m. at the Theodore Naish Scout Reservation, Cub World Pavilion, 1100 Martinek Lane, Kansas City, KS 66111

Cost and Fees Information

These fees cover the cost of all patches for Scouts, t-shirts for Scouts and Adults, program supplies, participation awards, meals, lodging, insurance, etc. We encourage you to register by Pack rather than individually. However, either form of registration for Bear Camp will be accepted!

The cost to attend Bear Camp is …

Any reserved spots will be subject to a non-refundable deposit of $30 if removed before or on final payment date. Make sure to reserve a realistic number of campers.

• We will only collect the $30.00 non-refundable deposit per full-time camper fee at the time of registration in January. The remainder of camp fees are due by or on April 22, 2020.
   
• No refunds will be granted after that fee payment is made. However, transfers within the unit are allowed.
   
• Any updates made after April 22, 2020 will be charged a $30.00 non-refundable fee per person for Bears, Den Chiefs, and Adults.
   
• Those selecting a Pay Later option, a payment will need to be made to the Council office within 5 days of registration to finish registration. If payment is not received in 5 business days, it is not a guarantee the spots will be available.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bear Camp
Please click on each question below for the answer. 

How are refunds handled?

For updates made on/before April 22, 2020 that is not transferring, a non-refundable fee of $30.00 per camper will be charged. For certain circumstances an exception may be made, however, you will need to follow the refund policy to request a refund. Refund requests are considered after all summer camps are over and the books have all been reconciled (around mid-August).

Where is Bear Camp?

Bear Camp is at the Theodore Naish Scout Reservation in Bonner Springs, Kansas. (map)

What kinds of things will I be doing at Bear Camp?

There are lots of exciting things to do at Bear Camp. You can do things like shooting BB Guns, swimming, making rope, making wood projects, participating in campfires, and meetings lots of other Bear Cubs just like you.

Where do I sleep?

You will be sleeping in a 2-person canvas wall tent that includes a cot and floor boards, electricity is not available.

What should I take to Bear Camp?

Your leader can help you decide what to take and what not to take to camp. Your leader has a list in their Bear Camp Leader's Guide. Generally, you should take basically the same things that you would take to spend the night at a friend’s house plus your Scout uniform, your Bear book, bug repellent, and a few other things.

Bear Camp sounds awesome, can I go?

If you are a Bear Cub you can go. All you need to do is check with your leader to find out how to sign up.

What if there are twins or triplets in my Pack?

If there are multiple children from the same family, only one parent is required to go. Please contact the Camping office for further questions or concerns regarding this issue.

What if I am the only one in my unit that wants to attend Bear Camp?

Great! We encourage units to sign up together, but if you are the only one that wants to attend Bear Camp, we will find a unit for you to camp with. Contact the Council office (Barbara.Thatsanithone@scouting.org) and we will get you camping!

What if both parents want to attend with their Scout to Bear Camp?

It is not required for both parents to attend, but if both want to attend, that is acceptable. Just reserve slots for both adults.

What Health Forms do I need to attend Bear Camp?

The Annual Health and Medical Record with parts A and B completed is the appropriate form. It can be found here: Annual Health and Medical Record A&B. Bring the completed health form with you when you check into Bear Camp. A doctor’s signature is not required for Bear Camp.

Is there a list of advancements the Scout could have earned attending Bear Camp?

Yes, in the Bear Camp Leader's Guide Appendix, there is a list of advancements that could have been earned.

Should we sign up collectively or individually?

You should sign up everyone at one time, not individually, if you want everyone in the same session. You will have the option to pay by credit card or to mail in a check within 5 days. You will pay a $30 non-refundable deposit per camper when you register in February and the remaining balance is due by April 22, 2020.

What is a Den Chief? Are they required for camp?

A Den Chief is a Scout that helps the Den Leader. It is not required for camp, but each Bear must have an adult paired with them.

What does the cost cover for camp?

The cost covers patches for Scouts, t-shirts for both Scout and adult, program supplies, awards, meals, lodging, insurance, and any other costs for running the camp.

Can a Scout attend camp with anyone besides a parent?

They can attend with another relative over the age of 21; most will attend with their grandparent.

Can parents tag team Bear Camp? One attend one day, another attends the next?

Yes, this is fine. You only need to register one adult. You will need to check in at the camp office when you swap places.

Do the campsites have an electrical outlet nearby for my CPAP machine?

There are electrical outlets in the Pavilion where these campers can sleep, although it is without a tent and the cot is in the open. The best idea is to run it off a battery. (We had one adult run his off a battery pack from a computer.)

Bear Camp Session Photos

Did you go to Bear Camp at Naish, but don't have the Camp Session photo? Click here to order your Camp Session Photo! All Camp Session photos taken since 1994 are available!

Other Questions

If you have any other questions please contact your District Executive or Barbara Thatsanithone in the Camping Office.