Troop Programs

At Mattatuck, troop and patrol programs take place in blocks of one hour from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, and optionally from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM and/or 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (we highly encourage units to schedule program during at least one of those latter two blocks each day). In general, any of the below programs can be scheduled during any of these times; each last the full block unless otherwise noted. All of these programs will be scheduled during your program planning meeting on the Tuesday night before your week of camp (see page 7 of the Leader's Guide for more details).

STEM

Blacksmithing - Join the STEM department for a demonstration of traditional blacksmithing techniques.

Improv Games - Challenge your creativity with STEM as they through fun, interesting scenarios at your troop or patrol to act out.

Drones - Fly a drone through a challenging obstacle course, race a fellow Scout, and have fun!

RC Boats - Race, maneuver, and control remote-controlled boats on Lake Kenosha!

Craftspace

Rock Painting - Learn painting skills and how to inspire creativity through rock painting!

Tie-Dye - Tie-dye your favorite shirt or other article of clothing! Please bring an appropriate piece of clothing to tie-dye.

Pottery - Learn pottery skills and craft something fun!

Flag Making - Design and create a unique flag for your patrol using provided materials. Show off your patrol spirit!

Nature Collages - Will need some support on this one! Not sure what it is.

Wood-Burning - Similar deal... I can guess what it is, but what's the purpose?

Nature

Nature Hike - This classic program brings Scouts down our nature trail with a staff member as their guide.

Float-a-Fauna - This program transforms the Nature Hike experience to an on-the-water experience, with a staff member taking Scouts in boats around the lake and explaining the nature to be seen.

Bird Up! - This fun game challenges Scouts to spot as many birds as they can in a given time period, working in groups. The group with the most points wins!

Leave No Trace Awareness - This program teaches Scouts about the best ways to be stewards of the outdoors and help preserve nature for future visitors.

Conservation Projects - In this program, a staff member will join a troop in a project aimed at conserving our camp!

Predator and Prey - This game teaches Scouts about food chains and the relationship between predators and their prey in a fun way.

All Adventure

Troop Climbing - All Scouts can boulder, and Scouts 13 years of age and older can scale the climbing tower.

Mock Ice Climbing - Even if it's hot during the summer, Scouts can imagine its the middle of winter as mock ice picks are used to traverse the climbing tower and complete challenges.

Tower Toss - Scouts work in teams to design the safest vessel for an egg to fall in, then those creations are put to the test as they're dropped from the top of the climbing tower.

Waterfront

Instructional Swimming - This classic program improves the skills of beginners and nonswimmers and allows swimmers to have fun in the swimmer's area.

Instructional Boating - The waterfront staff teaches boating skills like paddling techniques and more with canoes, rowboats, and others.

Water Polo - Have a patrol on patrol or even intertroop "rivalry"? Water polo is the perfect opportunity to face off.

Blueberry Madness - On the face of it, playing on wrestling mats floating on the water may seem odd, but it's incredibly fun!

Troop Blob - Take your troop to the blob and launch Scouts into the air and down into the water!

Moby Duck - I'm gonna need some help on this one.

Swamping - Sink some boats intentionally - while you're in them!

Wheels

Troop Rides - Take your troop and check out some trails on our mountain bikes.

Rocky Road - Race your fellow Scouts in BMX time trials. The fastest Scout wins!

RC Cars - Come on down to our RC track and have some fun with our remote-controlled cars!

Scoutcraft

Trial by Fire - Scoutcraft's most popular challenge will force your Scouts to square off against one another to build the best fire the fastest. The winning fire will be the only one coming out unharmed - the other two get water dumped on them! Even better, get timed to see if you can win an award for the fastest Trial by Fire of the week!

Dutch Oven Cooking - Discover cast iron cooking techniques that will ensure some great meals on your next troop or patrol camping trip.

Orienteering - First learn some important map and compass skills, then take on Mattatuck's orienteering course in what can be a patrol or buddy pair race or challenge.

Cake-Pit Ball - Learn Dutch Oven cooking techniques and bake a cake. While the cake is in the oven, play gaga ball!

Basic Knots - Get some introduction on how to tie the knots that everyone, not just Scouts, should know how to tie.

Advanced Knots - Think you know all of the basic knots? Well, you probably don't know all the knots, so come down to Scoutcraft to learn about many of the advanced ones.

Shelter Building - Find out the best ways to build a shelter out in the woods. Then, work with fellow Scouts to make one of your own!

Lashings - Learn how to lash together wood to make some awesome outdoor creations. Past groups have made swings and towers!

Knife, Axe, and Saw Skills - Working on your Totin' Chip? Even if you aren't, get some practice in for your troop as you learn the best and safest ways to use knives, axes, and saws.

Fire Building - Learn the basics of how to build a fire. A great option for younger groups.

Flag Etiquette - Need to work on your flag-folding, marching, or flag raising skills? Then this is the program for you.

Range and Target Activities

Troop Shoot - Offered for both Rifle and Archery, this perennially popular program offers Scouts the opportunity to hone their skills on the range.

Water Dunk - Race against a fellow Scout and shoot at a target. If you hit it, the Scout next to you gets water dumped on their head!