Registration will be available beginning 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 5, 2024, until Bear Camp has met its pre-determined capacity OR through Friday, March 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., whichever comes first. After that, you will need to sign-up campers for Bear Camp by contacting Terri O'Neal at terri.oneal@scouting.org
2024 Bear Camp Sessions
Sessions have a limited capacity
| Session Number |
Session Date |
Session Number |
Session Date |
| Session 1 |
June 9-10, 2024 |
Session 5 |
June 23-24, 2024 |
| Session 2 |
June 13-14, 2024 |
Session 6 |
June 27-28, 2024 |
| Session 3 |
June 16-17, 2024 |
Session 7 |
June 30 - July 1, 2024 |
| Session 4 |
June 20-21, 2024 |
|
|
2024 Leaders Guides and Menu - Coming in April
2023 Bear Camp Leader's Guide 2021 Bear Camp Menu
2023 Bear Camp Flyer Cub World Map Special Needs Form 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 scouts going into 3rd grade and their parents. Bear Resident Camp is a one-on-one camping experience. Each Scout spends two full days and one night of fun in the wilderness of Cub World. Scouts 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
Virtual Registration Opens February 5, 2024
Final Payment Date- April 24, 2024
Leader's Orientation- TBD
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:
- 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 before 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.
- ALL Adults are required to complete Youth Protection Training before attending camp. Bring a copy of the certificate to camp when checking in.
- Regardless of the parental relationship between female youth and male adults, if a unit has 1 or more female youth attending Bear Camp, there must be a female leader attending from the unit or they must partner with another unit to share female leadership. Council will work with your units to assist in female leadership partnerships.
- There are no part-time adults at Bear Camp.
- Please notify the HOAC Camping Office of any Den Chiefs attending Bear Camp with your Pack and the Scouts BSA 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 the final payment date.
- You may review the 2024 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 the registration, or for any questions or concerns regarding Bear Camp, contact Terri O'Neal, Program Assistant, at terri.oneal@scouting.org or 816-569-4930.
Cost and Fees Information
These fees cover the cost of all patches and t-shirts for Scouts, 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 …
|
Campers
|
Camp Fees
(on or before April 24, 2024)
|
Camp Fees
(on or after April 25, 2024)
|
| Bears |
TBD |
TBD |
| Den Chiefs |
TBD |
TBD |
| Leaders/Adults |
TBD |
TBD |
***The Bear Camp fee includes a T-shirt for all scouts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bear Camp
Please click on each question below for the answer.
- Is a female adult required to attend camp when a female youth attends?
- Regardless of the parental relationship between female youth and male adults, if a unit has 1 or more female youth attending Bear Camp, there must be a female leader attending from the unit or they must partner with another unit to share female leadership. Council will work with your units to assist in female leadership partnerships.
- How are refunds handled?
- You will need to follow the refund policy to request a refund.
- 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 floorboards, 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 (terri.oneal@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 for 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 26, 2023.
- 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 and t-shirts for Scouts, 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.)
- Can I use my unit account to pay for Bear Summer Camp?
- Yes. But you will not be able to use the unit account to register for camp. You can apply funds from your unit account to the balance.
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 terri.oneal@scouting.org in the Camping Office.