Camp Cherry Valley 2010
Trip Leaders: David Hutchins and Gary Weber

Page last updated: March 8, 2010
 

Dear Troop 697 Scouts and Families:

A $100 deposit for each participant (scout or adult) for Camp Cherry Valley 2010 is due to Mr. Hutchins at our troop meeting on Tuesday, January 26, 2010. Our 2010 dates for Camp Cherry Valley are June 20-26, 2010.

Checks should be made payable to: BSA Troop 697. Be sure to give the check to Mr. Hutchins so that you are included on the Troop 697 CCV roster. Deposits are NOT refundable but may be transferred to another scout. We will forfeit any spaces in our reservation if payment is not received the San Gabriel Council by January 31st.

--Heidi and Dave Hutchins

Note: There is space remaining for one adult leader (who will need to help with the planning and the trip.) We have 28 spaces for scouts, with 6 scouts who have already indicated an interest.


Space is available for 24 scouts! Only 3 adult leader spaces remain!

Thanks to the generous donation by Tim and Robin McCormick, many scouts have had an opportunity to earn some money for summer camp. The Flag Posting service run by Marci Beaudoin provides additional opportunities for scouts to earn money for camp. (Remember, scouts can also start a Flag Route in their own neighborhood.)

In addition to the opportunities in the troop, you could encourage your scouts to mow neighbors' lawns, start a dog walking service, tutor younger children in school subjects, etc., to earn money for camp.

For younger scouts, Camp Cherry Valley provides a great opportunity to earn Merit Badges, such as Oceanography, that cannot be earned in Phoenix. For older scouts (age 14 and up), there is a High Adventure program. (Adult Volunteer Leaders may also participate in High-Adventure activities.)

Island Adventure
For very adventurous older scouts, there is also an Island Adventure program. There are additional requirements, so check early if you are interested. The Island Adventure program is an exciting, weeklong, out of camp trek that involves hiking, war canoeing, and kayaking. Staff guides will be an integral part of the group as they lead a knowledgeable trek to the west end and interior of the island. Participants should be prepared for the intensity of this adventure, which is demanding in a unique and wonderful way. A few major concerns that participants will want to anticipate are: blisters, dehydration, exhaustion, and seasickness.

Below is additional information about Camp Cherry Valley. The first $100 payment per person (scout or adult) is due in January (We will need to collect it so that we can mail our group payment and it is received by Jan 31st) If you would like to volunteer to be an adult leader, please let me know as soon as possible.

--Heidi



Camp Cherry Valley:  A Wonderful Opportunity 

One of the excellent opportunities available to members of Troop 697 is the chance to attend Camp Cherry Valley (CCV) at Catalina Island.  The camp is located in a picturesque cove and offers opportunities for many water sports including world-class snorkeling, canoeing, rowing, sailing and swimming. Because it is located on the leeward side of the island, the cove is calm making it a perfect place for lots of fun in the water.  The ocean at Cherry Valley is clear, clean and averages between 68 and 70 degrees. Scouts have an opportunity to work on Merit Badges such as Oceanography that cannot be earned in Arizona.  Reservations for this camp are made 3 years in advance.  Our 2010 dates are June 20-26, 2010 (Sun-Sat).  We have space for 28 Scouts and 8 adults.  This camp is more expensive than opportunities within Arizona, but we believe it is well worth the money!  You may want to start planning NOW for this adventure!
 
SCOUT OR ADULT CAMP FEES
The Out-of-Council fee for scouts and adults in 2009 was $495 and may increase slightly for 2010. The cost of transportation and parking is expected to be $100 or less per person.  (Transportation costs for our group in 2008 were $70 per person.)  An optional T-shirt, personalized for Troop 697, (approximately $20) and spending money at camp or materials required for some Merit Badges are additional.  A duffel bag (navy style sea bag) works great for packing personal items.
 
CCV PAYMENT DUE DATES:

  • $100 per paying person (scout and adult) due January 31 (non refundable, please see refund policy).  We will forfeit any spaces in our reservation not paid by January 31st. 
  • $100 per paying person by March 31 (non refundable, please see refund policy). Total of $200 paid per camper by this date.
  • Remaining balance due by May 1st for early discount. ($10.00 per paying person).

Please Note: Missed payments can result in the loss of our reservation.
 
The fees for Camp Cherry Valley are higher than other camps, but we believe they are well worth it!  You and your family may want to start saving now for this trip.  (You may also want to consider if you want your scout to earn part of the money either within or outside of troop activities.) 
 
TRANSPORTATION
In the past, the cost of flying or driving has been roughly equivalent.  In 2008, Gary Weber planned the transportation and the fees collected were $70 per scout. If you are a travel wizard, you may to volunteer to participate as the adult in charge of transportation!  All participating adults are required to travel to and from Camp Cherry Valley with the scouts.
 
ADULT LEADERS
Adult leaders will be required to:

  • participate in planning meetings
  • take charge of one aspect the trip (transportation, medical records and health and safety, merit badges, etc.)
  • travel with the scouts to and from Camp Cherry Valley
  • assist in supervision of the scouts throughout the adventure. 

Due to the excellent “camp friends” program at CCV, however, while at CCV adults have been able to enjoy high-adventure and leisure activities and are afforded more free time than at other camps, such as Geronimo.  (One free adult is included in our reservation and we usually just divide the savings among the adult leaders.)
 
MEDICAL FORMS
** ALL CAMPERS MUST HAVE A CURRENT CLASS 2 OR CLASS 3 MEDICAL FORM IN ADDITION TO A CURRENT CLASS 1 AND APPROPRIATE PERMISSION SLIPS. ANYONE ARRIVING IN CAMP WITHOUT THESE COMPLETED FORMS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE.  If you or your son has an annual physical scheduled, please be sure to bring the scout medical forms to the appointment! 
 
PRIORITY FOR CCV PARTICIPATION
Because it is VERY difficult to arrange transportation home for a scout who may become homesick, our Troop strongly recommends that scouts have participated in a week-long camp experience before attending Camp Cherry Valley. If there are more interested scouts than spaces available, priority will be given to the scouts who meet this criterion.  (If your scout attended Camp Geronimo, he is eligible.)
 
TO GET STARTED:
• Please let me know if you are interested in participating as an adult leader.  (I highly recommend it!)
• Mark your calendar for June 20-26, 2010.  (If you are an adult leader, you may want to schedule time off for these dates.)
• Remember to bring the NEW Scout Physical forms to your annual medical appointments.  (This is REQUIRED for all participants!)
• As a family, decide if you want to require your son to earn part of the money for Camp Cherry Valley and if so, help him find ways within and outside of Troop 697 to start earning and saving money
• Be prepared to make the first payment of $100 per person in January.  (We will forfeit any unpaid spaces in January.)
 
Please let me know if you have any questions.
 
--Heidi Hutchins

 

 


Copyright © 2009 Troop 697 - All Rights Reserved