What are the key features of Camp Robert Drake for Scouts BSA. How can troops prepare for the upcoming summer camp season. What exciting activities and opportunities await Scouts at Camp Drake in 2023.
Camp Robert Drake: A Summer Haven for Scouts BSA
Camp Robert Drake stands as a beacon for outdoor adventure and skill development for Scouts BSA. Nestled in the heart of nature, this resident camp offers a unique blend of traditional scouting activities and modern camping experiences. As the 2023 summer season approaches, excitement builds among troops and individual scouts alike.
Preparing for Summer 2023: Important Dates and Fees
Planning ahead is crucial for a successful summer camp experience. Camp Robert Drake has announced its fee structure for the 2023 season, encouraging early registration for the best rates:
- Early Bird: $295.00 per Scout if paid by March 10, 2023
- On-time Fee: $305.00 per Scout if paid by April 21, 2023
- Late Fee: $320.00 per Scout if paid after April 21, 2023
All camp fees must be paid by May 21, 2023, ensuring a smooth registration process for all participants.
Merit Badge Registration Process
Merit badge registration opens on March 6, 2023, at 9 am. To register scouts for merit badges, troops must follow these steps:
- Update unit numbers in the registration system
- Ensure all youth are listed in the unit roster
- Make a payment of $125.00 per Scout to assign spots and register for merit badges
This structured approach allows for fair and organized merit badge selection, a cornerstone of the Camp Robert Drake experience.
Tool Time: Community Effort in Camp Improvement
Camp Robert Drake thrives on community support. The camp organizes “Tool Time” work days, inviting volunteers to contribute to camp improvements. These events foster a sense of ownership and pride among the scouting community.
What to Expect at Tool Time Events
- Job assignments begin at 9:00 am at the Tin Shed maintenance building
- Lunch provided at 12:15 pm
- Volunteers encouraged to bring their own tools, especially for wood chopping and brush clearing
These work days not only prepare the camp for the summer season but also strengthen the bonds within the scouting community.
Spring Camporee: Under the Trees–Scouting in Nature
As a precursor to the summer camp season, the Prairielands Council Spring Camporee offers a taste of outdoor adventure. Scheduled for April 28-30 at Lodge Park near Monticello, this event embraces the theme “Under the Trees–Scouting in Nature.”
Camporee Highlights
- Camping under majestic white oak trees
- Challenging Scouting skills and nature knowledge stations
- Exploration of trails through woods and along the Sangamon River
- Opportunity for Webelos and Arrow of Light scouts to participate with host troops
This spring event serves as an excellent warm-up for the more intensive summer camp experience at Camp Robert Drake.
Onaquispasippi Trail: A Springtime Hiking Adventure
The Onaquispasippi Trail offers another exciting opportunity for scouts of all levels. This hiking event showcases the natural beauty surrounding Camp Drake, including scenic vistas of the Salt Fork River’s ridges and valleys.
Trail Event Features
- Open to all levels of Scouting from Cub Scouts to Venturers
- Prizes and treats along the trail
- Opportunity to earn a trail patch
- Stunning forest views perfect for photography enthusiasts
This event exemplifies Camp Drake’s commitment to providing diverse outdoor experiences that cater to all age groups and skill levels within the Scouting program.
Leveraging Technology: Tentaroo and Online Resources
Camp Robert Drake utilizes modern technology to streamline the camping experience. The Tentaroo system plays a crucial role in managing reservations and registration processes.
Key Points about Online Resources
- 2022 unit reservations automatically rolled over to 2023
- Site reservations and updates reflected in Tentaroo accounts by January 2023
- Regular updates posted on Camp Drake’s Facebook and Twitter accounts
- Official website serves as a centralized information hub
By embracing these digital tools, Camp Drake ensures efficient communication and organization, enhancing the overall experience for scouts and leaders alike.
The Camp Drake Experience: More Than Just a Summer Camp
Camp Robert Drake offers more than just a traditional summer camp experience. It serves as a catalyst for personal growth, skill development, and lifelong friendships. The camp’s diverse program caters to various interests and skill levels, ensuring every scout finds their niche.
Core Elements of the Camp Drake Experience
- Comprehensive merit badge program
- Leadership development opportunities
- Emphasis on outdoor skills and nature appreciation
- Team-building activities and challenges
- Integration of Scouting values in daily camp life
These elements combine to create a holistic experience that aligns with the broader goals of the Scouts BSA program.
Preparing for Camp: Tips for Scouts and Leaders
Proper preparation is key to maximizing the Camp Robert Drake experience. Scouts and leaders should consider several factors when preparing for their summer adventure.
Essential Preparation Steps
- Review the camp program guide thoroughly
- Plan merit badge selections in advance
- Ensure all medical forms and permissions are up to date
- Conduct pre-camp meetings to set expectations and goals
- Pack appropriate gear for various weather conditions
By taking these steps, troops can ensure a smooth and enjoyable camp experience for all participants.
The Impact of Camp Drake on Youth Development
The experiences gained at Camp Robert Drake extend far beyond the summer weeks. The camp plays a crucial role in youth development, fostering skills and values that benefit scouts throughout their lives.
Long-term Benefits of the Camp Drake Experience
- Enhanced self-reliance and problem-solving skills
- Improved communication and teamwork abilities
- Greater appreciation for nature and environmental stewardship
- Development of leadership qualities
- Lifelong friendships and networking opportunities
These benefits underscore the importance of the camp experience in the broader context of youth development and character building.
Volunteer Opportunities: Supporting Camp Drake’s Mission
Camp Robert Drake’s success relies heavily on the dedication of volunteers. From tool time work days to program support during the summer season, there are numerous ways for adults to contribute to the camp’s mission.
Ways to Get Involved
- Participate in pre-season work days
- Serve as merit badge counselors
- Assist with camp administration and logistics
- Contribute specialized skills (e.g., medical professionals, craftsmen)
- Support fundraising efforts for camp improvements
Volunteering not only supports the camp but also provides adults with rewarding experiences and the opportunity to directly impact youth development.
Camp Drake’s Role in the Broader Scouting Community
Camp Robert Drake serves as more than just a summer destination; it’s a cornerstone of the local Scouting community. The camp’s year-round presence and diverse offerings contribute significantly to the vitality of Scouting in the region.
Camp Drake’s Community Contributions
- Hosting council-wide events like camporees and training sessions
- Providing a venue for troop-level activities throughout the year
- Serving as a hub for Scout networking and inter-troop collaboration
- Offering resources and support for local Scouting initiatives
- Promoting Scouting values and outdoor education in the broader community
These contributions highlight Camp Drake’s integral role in sustaining and growing the Scouting movement in the area.
Environmental Stewardship at Camp Drake
Camp Robert Drake takes its responsibility as a steward of the natural environment seriously. The camp’s programs and practices emphasize conservation and environmental awareness, instilling these values in the scouts who attend.
Environmental Initiatives at Camp Drake
- Implementation of Leave No Trace principles in all camp activities
- Conservation projects integrated into the camp program
- Educational programs on local flora, fauna, and ecosystems
- Sustainable practices in camp operations and maintenance
- Partnerships with local environmental organizations
Through these efforts, Camp Drake not only preserves its natural beauty but also educates the next generation of environmental stewards.
The Future of Camp Robert Drake
As Camp Robert Drake looks to the future, it continues to evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of today’s youth while maintaining its core Scouting values. The camp’s leadership is committed to ongoing improvements and innovations to ensure its relevance and effectiveness in youth development.
Future Directions for Camp Drake
- Expansion of STEM-oriented program offerings
- Enhanced integration of technology in camp operations and programs
- Development of new facilities to support emerging Scouting activities
- Increased focus on inclusivity and accessibility for all scouts
- Strengthening partnerships with local communities and organizations
These forward-thinking initiatives ensure that Camp Robert Drake will continue to provide transformative experiences for scouts for years to come.
Testimonials: The Camp Drake Impact
The true measure of Camp Robert Drake’s success lies in the experiences of the scouts and leaders who have attended. Testimonials from past participants provide insight into the camp’s lasting impact.
Voices from the Camp Drake Community
- “Camp Drake taught me leadership skills I use every day in my career.” – Former Scout, now a business executive
- “The friendships I made at Camp Drake have lasted a lifetime.” – Long-time Scouting volunteer
- “As a parent, I’ve seen my child grow in confidence and independence after attending Camp Drake.” – Scout parent
- “The staff at Camp Drake go above and beyond to create a safe, fun, and educational environment.” – Scoutmaster
- “Camp Drake’s program helped me discover my passion for environmental science.” – Eagle Scout and conservation biologist
These testimonials underscore the transformative power of the Camp Robert Drake experience and its enduring impact on participants’ lives.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Camp Robert Drake
Camp Robert Drake stands as a testament to the enduring values of Scouting and the power of outdoor experiences in shaping young lives. As it continues to evolve and adapt, the camp remains committed to its core mission of developing character, citizenship, and personal fitness among the youth it serves.
From its comprehensive summer programs to year-round events and volunteer opportunities, Camp Drake offers a multifaceted approach to youth development that resonates with scouts, leaders, and families alike. The camp’s emphasis on environmental stewardship, leadership development, and community engagement ensures that its impact extends far beyond the boundaries of the campground.
As scouts prepare for another exciting summer at Camp Robert Drake, they do so knowing that they are part of a rich tradition and a bright future. The memories made, skills learned, and friendships forged at Camp Drake will continue to shape lives and communities for generations to come, cementing its place as a cornerstone of the Scouting experience in the region.
Camp Robert Drake
More information for the 2023 Summer Camping season will be posted shortly!
The first of the Tool Time Camp Drake improvement days is this Saturday set for March 18th. Each Tool Time Work Day will begin with job assignments at 9:00 am at the Tin Shed maintenance building area next to the Ranger’s House. Each Tool Time Saturday, a terrific lunch will be provided at 12:15 pm. Workers are encouraged to bring their own tools and equipment if possible, to help ensure that all of the volunteers will have proper supplies. The most helpful tools include wood chopping and brush clearing equipment. Bring a buddy for twice the fun!
Please review the fees for summer camp with your Scouting families to get the best rates for your campers. The fees paid through Tentaroo or to the Prairielands Council at the Raymond Lee Scout Service Center in Champaign for Scouts BSA resident camp for 2023 are:
Early Bird $295.
00 per Scout if paid by March 10, 2023
On-time Fee $305.00 per Scout if paid by April 21, 2023
Late Fee $320.00 per Scout if paid after April 21, 2023
All camp fees must be paid by May 21, 2023. Merit Badge Registration Opens Monday, March 6, 2023
Merit Badge Registration for Camp Drake
Merit Badge Registration will open on March 6 at 9 am. To be able to register a Scout for merit badges, the following must happen.
Units must update their numbers registration. For example, if you have not given us preliminary numbers, you must log in to your account, and add spots to your unit based on your estimated attendance. NOTE: numbers may be reduced, and are not final.
Units must ensure that youth are in the roster. To do that go to your unit’s account, and click on Manage My Group on the right-hand side.
A payment of $125.00 per Scout must be made to assign a Scout to a spot and register for merit badges. For example, if you have 5 Scouts that you are ready to register, you must ensure you have paid a minimum of $625 paid.
Spring is a great time to explore the natural world as weather warms, days lengthen, plants grow, flowers bloom, and birds return to fill the trees with beauty and song. And it’s time to gather for a camporee!
Scouts BSA troops and Venturing crews are invited to participate in the Prairielands Council Spring Camporee. The camporee will be held April 28-30 at Lodge Park near Monticello. Your hosts this year are Troops 6B and 6G Urbana and Troop 490 Monticello. They are working hard to plan a great event. Webelos and AOL scouts are encouraged to participate with a host troop.
Our theme is Under the Trees–Scouting in Nature. You’ll have the chance to camp under the big white oak trees at Lodge Park, challenge your Scouting skills and nature knowledge at the activity stations, and explore the trails that wind through the woods and along the banks of the Sangamon River.
Click here to register
All levels of Scouting from Cub Scouts to Scouts, BSA to Venturers are encouraged to participate in this fun hiking event on the Onaquispasippi Trail. Join the first big springtime celebration in the wonderful warm weather (by stating this, I have doomed the event to have 30 degree temperatures amidst a chilly drizzle). Whatever the weather, it won’t dampen the spirits to get out and enjoy the scenic vistas of the ridges and valleys of the Salt Fork River along the edges of Camp Drake. Bring your camera for the stunning view of the forest.
Prizes, treats, and fun making on the trail. Look to earn your trail patch at Camp Drake. Click here for the flyer.
Camp Drake 2023 Reservations
All units signed up for Camp Drake in 2022 have been rolled over into 2023. Site reservations and updates will be reflected in your unit’s Tentaroo account by January 2023.
For more information call Susan Coller at 217-531-0219 or email [email protected] to reserve your spot. Please stay up to date with Camp Drake by following our Facebook and Twitter as well as looking right here on our website.
Camp Robert Drake
More information for the 2023 Summer Camping season will be posted shortly!
The first of the Tool Time Camp Drake improvement days is this Saturday set for March 18th. Each Tool Time Work Day will begin with job assignments at 9:00 am at the Tin Shed maintenance building area next to the Ranger’s House. Each Tool Time Saturday, a terrific lunch will be provided at 12:15 pm. Workers are encouraged to bring their own tools and equipment if possible, to help ensure that all of the volunteers will have proper supplies. The most helpful tools include wood chopping and brush clearing equipment. Bring a buddy for twice the fun!
Please review the fees for summer camp with your Scouting families to get the best rates for your campers.
The fees paid through Tentaroo or to the Prairielands Council at the Raymond Lee Scout Service Center in Champaign for Scouts BSA resident camp for 2023 are:
Early Bird $295.00 per Scout if paid by March 10, 2023
On-time Fee $305.00 per Scout if paid by April 21, 2023
Late Fee $320.00 per Scout if paid after April 21, 2023
All camp fees must be paid by May 21, 2023. Merit Badge Registration Opens Monday, March 6, 2023
Merit Badge Registration for Camp Drake
Merit Badge Registration will open on March 6 at 9 am. To be able to register a Scout for merit badges, the following must happen.
Units must update their numbers registration. For example, if you have not given us preliminary numbers, you must log in to your account, and add spots to your unit based on your estimated attendance. NOTE: numbers may be reduced, and are not final.
Units must ensure that youth are in the roster. To do that go to your unit’s account, and click on Manage My Group on the right-hand side.
A payment of $125.00 per Scout must be made to assign a Scout to a spot and register for merit badges. For example, if you have 5 Scouts that you are ready to register, you must ensure you have paid a minimum of $625 paid.
Spring is a great time to explore the natural world as weather warms, days lengthen, plants grow, flowers bloom, and birds return to fill the trees with beauty and song. And it’s time to gather for a camporee!
Scouts BSA troops and Venturing crews are invited to participate in the Prairielands Council Spring Camporee. The camporee will be held April 28-30 at Lodge Park near Monticello. Your hosts this year are Troops 6B and 6G Urbana and Troop 490 Monticello. They are working hard to plan a great event.
Webelos and AOL scouts are encouraged to participate with a host troop.
Our theme is Under the Trees–Scouting in Nature. You’ll have the chance to camp under the big white oak trees at Lodge Park, challenge your Scouting skills and nature knowledge at the activity stations, and explore the trails that wind through the woods and along the banks of the Sangamon River.
Click here to register
All levels of Scouting from Cub Scouts to Scouts, BSA to Venturers are encouraged to participate in this fun hiking event on the Onaquispasippi Trail. Join the first big springtime celebration in the wonderful warm weather (by stating this, I have doomed the event to have 30 degree temperatures amidst a chilly drizzle). Whatever the weather, it won’t dampen the spirits to get out and enjoy the scenic vistas of the ridges and valleys of the Salt Fork River along the edges of Camp Drake. Bring your camera for the stunning view of the forest.
Prizes, treats, and fun making on the trail.
Look to earn your trail patch at Camp Drake. Click here for the flyer.
Camp Drake 2023 Reservations
All units signed up for Camp Drake in 2022 have been rolled over into 2023. Site reservations and updates will be reflected in your unit’s Tentaroo account by January 2023. For more information call Susan Coller at 217-531-0219 or email [email protected] to reserve your spot. Please stay up to date with Camp Drake by following our Facebook and Twitter as well as looking right here on our website.
Beckoning a drake to shoot in the spring, though simple, but very interesting
The beginning of the goose route began from the south of the Saratov region with a failure: 1500 km of the track and field roads, 40 hours without sleep, but accumulated, slipped, breathed in the fresh air of the opened southern fields − and not a single goose in the sky…
Did you search badly? I don’t think.
.. When the locals in the Saratov region say that a goose has come, it’s not a couple of flocks in oxygen, it’s a mass movement of a bird in the fields and the sky…
Exactly a week later we drove from the other side – to the north of the region … There is more hope, but to Ivanteevka – a meter of snow in the field! Horror! On three Niva, they rushed to take off across the fields, and then united, because it was impossible to move one at a time … We decided to move south. There are so many rival hunters that the decision was not long in coming – we make our way into the very “catastrophe”, away from people … We fought for a long time, as it should be for goslings, deeper and deeper into the mud and mountains of snow.
FIRST FLIGHTS
Found a field and a weak concentration of a goose. The field has melted by 90%. We set up camp and go to arrange stuffed animals. Dirt, as expected, 10 cm, sticks to the boots, the ground is frozen further, which means that it will not be possible to dig .
.. but the hope and excitement from the upcoming hunt drown out fatigue … Quickly to the camp – and sleep, and at 3-00 – get up and into the field.
It’s 3°C outside… We got upset, of course, they promised thaw and fog… Hour, second, third, fourth – no geese. Suddenly, from behind the hill, on which the scarecrows, a flock of bean goose swoops down. Nine shots from two barrels, and all into milk …. Resentment… Through binoculars we saw large flocks of geese – mostly bean goose…
And here comes a raid from behind… With a voice… What a raid – “white-fronted sailors” are coming: a circle, a second – and the nerves can’t stand one more circle…. A shot, a second, a third… A handsome man falls like a propeller onto the field… An additional mallard drake fell into the piggy bank. We decided to bung it up on a fire after a short rest and sleep.
NORM FOR 40 MINUTES
In the evening the activity of the goose decreased, and the puddle next to the stuffed goose promised to be productive for hunting drakes, and maybe the goose will come .
.. five fine pieces and lured the villagers.
In the light, there were still a few raids on calls, and packs, and singles, but they copied us, just sitting on chairs in “kikimoras”. A little at dusk, ducks flew … but how they flew – in flocks, with a voice, and through a puddle, and to stuffed animals. Wigeon, mallard, pinhead, teal like in a zoo… All the drakes are in colorful outfits, and the females are tirelessly toiling with the spring call to their cavaliers…
The hunt at the evening did not last very long, until one can distinguish a drake in flight from a duck. 40 minutes – and the norm is fulfilled. We gathered and wandered through the limp mud to the camp …
MORNING PLAQUE
Finally, the sun has covered with clouds and sprinkled snow with rain… Well, we think, now the goose will be trampled by millions of herds… We lie down, muttering in decoys. Yesterday there were a lot of geese on oxygen, today it is cloudy, but there is no one .
.. How so? Camouflage – a sunbed with white covering material up to the cap (hunters will understand), the cap itself is like a spot on the field.
Geese!!! Right on us. 70 meters in height. Circle, second, third – 50 meters, you could shoot and … On the fourth circle, without an exciting voice and the rustle of wings, they simply fly away further.
This happened three times, and after each time we got up, looked, what was wrong – a disguise? Forgotten foreign object? No, everything is fine, even perfect – the white covering material merges with the snow, the cap – with the field.
For the fourth time, they didn’t wait, but started firing… By. Fifth raid, 40 meters – past. Upset, fucker. The sunbed is comfortable, of course, and you can lie down and sleep, you won’t get wet, it’s not cold … But shooting from it sucks! While you open the lid, you get up, you take the gun in your hands, you invest, the geese have time to rise to the maximum height …
The sixth raid was similar to the previous ones – a goose with a voice, 150 heads.
There was not even hope, dozens turned away, I just lay there, feeding a tambourine. Suddenly, the flock enters a large circle and, like a duck of the year, immediately to the stuffed animals … “We beat !!!” the first shot – and the bean goose falls into stuffed animals, another shot, another – “milk” …
We still haven’t really laid the trophy in the snow, from behind because of the backs “wee-wee, wee-wee” … Go nuts – white-fronted, about 15 circles, we they didn’t even blow the call, the second – we beat, one of the heap falls out … Just one …
IDEAL PLACE
The next trip was not long in coming, and we rushed back to the Saratov open spaces. The main thing in the goose business is not to cling to one place you like, you need to look for a bird all the time, it is there, only you need to find it, and only then hunt. The place that the hunter likes is very often not liked by the goose. And we found this time a great place.
11 geese flew off a huge puddle at the entrance, around winter crops and arable land with harvested barley.
By the amount of litter, we realized that the bird is here all the time, and there are no people in the area of 3-5 km – PERFECT!
We set up a camp 2 km from the hunting place, 50 grams per arrival – and sleep … In the morning at 5-00 on the spot, but it turned out to be “golden”. The bird went low and reacted to our calls, all the time dodging and passing through the cover to the stuffed animals. They were no longer shooting at “three with a minus”, but the result was excellent. Now rest, and longer …. Tired after three weeks…
On the second day the hunting was not so intense, but the shooting improved. We hunted like a “private trader”, sitting on chairs and drinking hot coffee. True, this season was one of the dirtiest – mud, snow, water … But this season was also the most interesting, lucky. I’ll tell you about one of the raids.
We look around: the sun is already dazzling, the goose is walking very high and without any special reaction, and only flocks of 3-7 heads turn up to our calls.
But here is the “calm” … There is no one for an hour … There are 4 geese in the piggy bank, in the camp yesterday from morning and evening, in the bowler soup from their own relatives. In short, everything is calm. Suddenly “wee-wee, wee-wee”… Where are they??? A raid from behind at a distance of 7 meters from us, we didn’t even have time to get scared, and the most agile managed to shoot at the stealing bird receding with a voice. “Tra-ta-tata-tat-ta,” thundered two semiautomatic devices. They leave for winter, for 800-1000 m from the skradka. Well, miss. Suddenly, already on the horizon of the field, both sit down, and one is painfully clumsy, with folded wings, as it seemed. They sent the youngest to look at me.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT AFTER SHOT ON THE GOOSE TO LOOK AT IT UNTIL YOU CAN OVERVIEW… already blown, it was very easy to go comfortable. I look: a goose with a broken wing is galloping, trying to take off … I got it. The second one, 5 meters away, was lying motionless…
From the age of 12, my spring hunts took place in my native village, and the most important trophy, truly considered spring, was the drake.
His iridescent colored head glows either with a green or purple hue, excites the blood … I don’t know why, but I consider it an interesting task to lure a drake to shoot, although in the spring it is very easy to do … The gentleman flies to his invisible girlfriend on single grunts, but stumbles on a sheaf of fractions …
We are sitting, beckoning the geese, here he is… and I always have duck decoys on my hanger (just in case). Draft, call … Shot! Before the “royal shot” (after the shot, the game falls directly into the hands) there are 1.5 meters left.
SUMMARY
The 2021 goose season is most likely over for me if I still don’t get together in the fall… This season has been one of the brightest and most memorable, one of the dirtiest and impassable, one of the most unusual …
We hunted for three trips of four days each, but the first trip failed, having traveled one and a half thousand kilometers. We came back with nothing. The other two outings were really cool, super raids, super flybys, super hits and even super misses.
All the guys who are in the fields – no fluff … Who could not go, get it – try, guys, further into the jungle, dig deeper, search – and you will find …
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Love triangle of tangerine, drake and mallard spotted in the Leningrad region
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Love triangle in birds.
photo: Anton Kubyshkin / Birds of St. Petersburg and Russia / VKontakte
Mandarinka recaptured the lady from the drake. The story of amazing love was shared in the Birds of St. Petersburg and Russia group on the VKontakte social network.
Observant residents of the Leningrad region noticed an interesting love triangle in the world of birds. The tangerine conquered the heart of a mallard by stealing it from a drake. Even the mandarin duck in the region is curious, as there are no such birds here.
tangerine and mallard. photo: Anton Kubyshkin / Birds of St. Petersburg and Russia / VKontakte
Previously, “MK in the Leningrad region” wrote about the courtship of cranes. Beautiful birds were even captured on video.
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