General Information

Home Page / Registration / General Information / Health and Safety / Facilities / Patrol Cooking / High Adventure / Program Opportunities / Awards - OA / New at GDC YesteryearPhotos / Forms / Photo Album / Links / Ranger's Corner & Wish List / Aerial Photos / Short Term Camping / Staff Opportunities SEARCH:  Exact Match Search         What is the Weather like at Gardner Dam Scout Camp? Wolf River Levels provided by the USGS Wisconsin Current Stream flow Conditions statewide Mailing Address   Gardner Dam Scout Camp N2940 Gardner Dam Rd. White Lake, WI 54491-0247   Phone: 715-882-2941 Fax: 715-882-8119   Latitude and Longitude N45°, 08 minutes, 03 seconds W88°, 41 minutes, 18 seconds Directions to Camp Just click for a location map of camp. Click for detailed directions to camp from where you live. Getting Ready for Camp Scouting is a program for boys with activities planned by boys and carried out by boys who are advised by adult troop leaders. The health, safety, and welfare of each scout participating is also an adult responsibility carried out by the enforcement of camp policies. Troop Committee Responsibilities Appoint a Unit Summer Camp Chairperson. Promote camp interest, keep parents advised of camp opportunities. Select the campsite and week you plan to attend camp. Set up a camp savings program. Make sure the $50.00 site reservation fee is paid. See that the remainder of fees have been collected and sent to the Appleton Service Center by the due date. Complete transportation arrangements to and from camp and inform drivers of route to camp with proper arrival and departure times (check all drivers' auto insurance). Ensure that a troop leader attends camp leaders meeting for instructions and materials and the two adult leaders are in camp at all times. Scoutmaster Responsibilities Advise the Troop Leader's Council in planning the troop's program prior to leaving for camp. See that several Troop Leader Council meetings are held to determine things to be included in the program. Make sure the program is kept flexible and can be adjusted if changes must be made. Counsel with boys who plan to earn merit badges so that a proper balance and variety is achieved in their program. Encourage boys to work on badges needed for their next rank. Review progress goals for each scout with patrol leaders. Plan skill instruction activities that will enhance individual advancement. Ensure unit roster is complete and ready to turn in at camp. Three copies are needed-two to be turned in and one copy for troop records. EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST Troop Equipment to Bring to Camp Your troop flag Merit Badge Pamphlets Troop Record Book (for advancement and Scouts' records) Clothes marking pen Props for favorite stunts and skits Troop library books - Scout Song Book, Handbooks, etc. Assorted hand tools for camp projects Night lighting for latrines Favorite cooking equipment (Dutch ovens, trail kits, chef kits, etc.) Spices for meals (camp supplies salt and pepper) Your best troop spirit and enthusiasm Patrol Equipment to Bring to Camp Patrol flags Progress records for each Scout Patrol and Troop Leadership Handbook Patrol log book (keep the log going each year) Props for stunts and skits Your best patrol spirit and enthusiasm Suggested Items for Unit Leaders to Bring to Camp Electric, propane, or white gass lantern (no gasoline or kerosene) Stapler and extra thumbtacks for bulletin board Magic markers (red, blue, black, green) Alarm clock (spring wound or battery) Polyethylene sheets (for numerous uses) Cash box/valuables box Folding chair and table Scoutmaster's Handbook Addresses and phone numbers of parents on vacation! Your advancement objectives Your troop program ideas Skill training equipment Medical record and evaluation forms for each Scout and leader (The forms must be completed and signed by a physician and the medical record side must be completed and signed by parent or guardian) We suggest all equipment be well packed and clearly marked with the owner's name and troop number. The trails to campsites will not be open to cars. Personal Property The camp does not assume responsibility for damage or loss of any personal property brought to camp by a camper or adult. Campers should be encouraged to bring locks to protect personal belongings in chests. Adults should be reminded to keep automobiles locked when parked and to bring a lock box to keep valuables. Bows and Arrows: No personal bows or arrows may be brought to camp for safety and security reasons. Rifles/shotguns: No personal firearms may be brought to camp for safety and security reasons. Visitors Friends and parents of Scouts are welcome at any time, especially on Sunday night for the campfire and Order of the Arrow Call Out. Visitors may not participate in any of the summer camp activities and/or stay overnight. If you would like to stay overnight, you must first file a Health History and Examination Form and they must also be registered with the Boy Scouts of America. Scoutmasters are encouraged to inform parents of these opportunities and ask them to cooperate. Take State Highway 55 north out of Shawano, Wisconsin. Follow Highway 55 approximately 30 miles north. Turn west at the Camp Gardner Dam sign onto Gardner Dam Road. Follow Gardner Dam Road west to the camp entrance. Address: Gardner Dam Camp, Duane Hille - Ranger, N2992 Gardner Dam Road, White Lake, WI 54491 Phone: 715-882-2941 INFORMATION FOR PARENTS Emergency or Urgent Visits and Visitors Parents who must see their sons because of an emergency or urgent situation can arrange to do so by coming to Heckrodt Lodge, the camp office building. Please advise your son's Scoutmaster regarding where you may be reached while your son is in camp. Friends and parents are welcome at camp for the water carnival, campfires and O.A. Call Out. Picnic tables, drinking water and ample parking are provided. You are invited to bring a picnic lunch or dinner. Snacks and sodas are available at the Camp Trading Post. Check-In and Check-Out Times Check-in at Camp Gardner Dam begins at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. After parking, adult leaders should report directly to the camp office. Check-out on the last day is an important day in camp and the last meal is Saturday breakfast. Following breakfast, troops check out of camp between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. Mailing Address (Scout's Name), Troop #, Site Gardner Dam Scout Camp N2940 Gardner Dam Rd. White Lake, WI 54491-0247 Telephone & Fax Number The telephone should be used only for an emergency. We can arrange to deliver messages to your son and have him call you back, but the distance to campsites makes it impossible to hold the line until your son can get to the phone. The phone number is: 715-882-2941, Fax number 715-882-8119 (Fax is summer only). Callers should be prepared to give the individual's name, troop number and campsite. Camp Policies With Scouts living the Scout Oath and Law, only a few policies need to be stated. Shoes are worn at all times to prevent cuts and bruises. No Scout or leader leaves camp without checking out at the camp office. Fireworks are not permitted in camp. No flames, matches, candles, stoves, etc. are allowed in tents. Smoking or other use of tobacco in camp by Scouts is prohibited. Alcohol or illegal drugs are not permitted in the camp. Scouts and leaders are not allowed to bring pets to camp. Everyone must be registered with the B.S.A. and have paid the weekly camp fee.(visitors need not be)   Looking over the parade grounds at GDC late one June evening. Uniforms Scouts and leaders are encouraged to wear the scout uniform while in camp though it is not a requirement for participation. For those with a limited number of uniforms, emphasis for wear should be placed on retreat ceremonies and evening meals, closing campfire, religious services, boards of review and courts of honor. What a Scout Should Take to Camp This is a suggested list for your son to take to summer camp with him. Double check this list carefully and add what you feel is necessary from your troop's point of view. General: Scout uniform(s) complete with socks extra underwear extra socks T-shirts long jeans or pants (for tubing) pajamas raincoat/poncho hat sturdy walking shoes old shoes that tie (for tubing - they will get wet and stay wet) long sleeve shirt (for tubing and swimming merit badge) swim suit air mattress or ground pad mess kit sleeping bag canteen knife/fork/spoon Optional Equipment pillow alarm clock camera and film compass Scout knife musical instrument insect repellent Personal Items completed medical form spending money Scout Handbook pack or duffel bag flashlight with extra batteries notebook and pencils towels (2) soap, comb, toothbrush/paste All equipment should be kept in a knapsack or duffel bag and every article marked with owner's name and troop number. Candles, fireworks, and persoal gas lanterns are prohibited. CAMP ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE Checking into Camp Check-In Time Plan to arrive at camp no later than 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Your first meal is the evening meal. Check-in procedures are scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. Getting to Your Campsite Vehicles bringing your Scouts to camp will be greeted in the main parking lot. All cars must park in the parking areas. If check-in occurs on a rainy day, advise visitors to wear foot gear compatible with muddy paths. Only service vehicles are allowed on camp roads. One trailer per troop will be moved into your site. If a second trailer is requested it will be on a time available basis. Check-In Procedure Sunday can be a hectic day for everyone. We at Gardner Dam would like to briefly go over what will be happening on this day to ensure an efficient, prompt, and enjoyable check-in procedure. Several weeks before you arrive at camp, you will receive a letter requesting scout registration information and equipment you need from the camp. By replying to this letter, we can assure you that all the equipment you need will be reserved for you. In addition your campsite will be ready for you with all the equipment you requested in the campsite except for cooking equipment and staples, which will be picked up on Sunday from the Quartermaster and the Commissary. By sending in the merit badges that each Scout desires to take, our Director of Programming will put together an individual boy schedule and a master schedule for you. The greatest problems that we have experienced on Sundays over the years is with medication cards and medicals. All Scouts with prescriptions or over the counter drugs must have a proper med card with both a parent signature and doctor signature. Medicals for boys must have a parent signature and be dated within the year and a dated doctor's signature within the past three years. When you arrive at camp you will need a roster of the Scouts and adults attending and how many individuals will be in each patrol. The smallest number that can be in a patrol is six (any combination of adults and/or Scouts). The camp officially opens at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday; however, you may arrive before this time on Sunday to get a head start on moving equipment to your campsite. The camp will move trailers into your campsite. Please bring trailers to main parking lot. The procedure for doing this is described later. Gardner Dam uses a flex registration process. Everyone starts with the Program Director and he will have troops start at various points in the registration process to ensure that you will not have to wait in line. Registration consists of: meeting the Program Director to get you on your way going to medical recheck for a swim check later in the day obtaining necessary food staples and Quartermaster equipment that you desire meeting with the Camp Director checking in with the Business Manager or a camp clerk to ensure that every patrol will have the proper food for Monday breakfast and the rest of the week To help you out with check-in, a staff member will be assigned to your troop until supper. Ask lots of questions! If there are any problems with what the payment of fees should be, we will work these out Sunday evening or after the Scoutmaster meeting on Monday. This will allow us to speed up the registration process and to allow you the greatest amount of time setting up in camp. Please be assured that our goal is to get you settled in at Gardner Dam with the least amount of disruptions or distractions. Campsite Preparation As time permits. Scouts should make up their bunks and stow their gear. Camp equipment (broom, shovel, rake, etc.) should be checked out from the Quartermaster. Fire buckets should be filled and duty rosters posted on the bulletin board. If you are in need of any additional campsite equipment, let your staff guide know immediately. Evening Meal and Retreat All check-in activities should be completed by 5:15 p.m. The retreat begins at 5:45. Scouts should assemble in campsites in full uniforms prior to leaving for the parade ground and evening retreat. Sunday Evening Program Following the evening meal, all adult leaders will attend an important Program Planning meeting at the Program Center. This will also be an opportunity to meet key members of the camp staff. After dinner, your Scouts will be taken on a staff-guided tour of the program areas of camp. Following this program meeting, you and your assistants will join your troop for final merit badge sign-up. This is a good time to check advancement goals and discuss patrol projects. The opening campfire will start at 8:30 and will be followed by the Sunday O.A. callout ceremony.   Checking Out of Camp   Check-Out Time Departure will start on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. following breakfast. Vehicles arriving to pick up Scouts should again be reminded to use proper parking areas and not to expect Scouts to be prepared to leave before 8:00 a.m. Check-Out Requirements Prior to the weekend, the unit leader will be given a Site Check-Out form, which will be a helpful guide in preparing to leave camp. After final breakfast, the SPL should secure from the Quartermaster a list of any equipment which the unit has not yet returned. Before leaving, a staff member will check your site and also check to see that all camp items have been returned. When your site is in good shape, the staff member will sign the last item on the Site Check-Out form and you are all set to head home.   Check-Out Reminders Be sure you have all merit badge cards. See the Program Director. Be sure to settle your account at the Program Center. See the Business Manager. Be sure to make a last check of your mail box. Be sure to sign up for camp next year! See the Camp Director.   Early Scout Release From Camp All of the Bay-Lakes Council's resident camps are required to check Scouts out of camp with adults that are approved by the camp unit leader or the parent's name that appears on the Scout's medical form. Any adult not approved by the camp unit leader and not named on the Scout's medical form must have a completed "Release Authorization Form" to check the Scout out of camp.  Contact the Camping Dept.