New River Trail Bike Trip (click here)
4/3/26 Updates below
Shakedown Rides: We will have two shakedown rides at Salem Lake Trail. Anyone going on the trip MUST attend 1 of the shakedown rides.
Where: Salem Lake - Marina Parking Lot (815 Salem Lake Road, Winston Salem, NC 27107).
When: 9am to 12pm
What: Bring a day pack to carry water (you will need it) & snacks.
PLEASE RSVP so we know who to expect. You MUST have a helmet to participate.
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RSVP HERE Troop 964 Biking Trip to the New River Trail DEADLINE TO SIGN UP 4/16/26
Who: Scouts and Leaders who have registered by the end of day April 3, 2026 (There is a waitlist if you miss the deadline. Email Ms. Erica if you would like to see if there is space available.)
Cost: $35 - The cost will include the cost of the food, campground and gas. Don’t forget about the Dr. Mac scholarship fund!
What: Bicycling on the New River Trail in Max Meadows, VA and tent camping on Friday and Saturday nights at Foster Falls Campgorund.
When: Friday, April 24, 2026 thru Sunday, April 26, 2026
Where: Arrive at the Scout Hut no later than 5:30. Depart from the Scout Hut Friday at 6:00, camping at Foster Falls in Max Meadows, VA (176 Orphanage Dr, Max Meadows, VA 24360), biking on the New River Trail, return to the church on Sunday before noon. WE WILL NOT STOP AT WENDY'S.
Details: We will leave the church as usual around 6:00 but please arrive by 5:30 (bring dinner or have eaten, and wear Class A!!). We will camp in tents at Foster Falls campground in Max Meadows, VA. We will have bathrooms, YAY! On Saturday we will bicycle on the New River Trail from the campground (out and back) on a bike-only rail-to-trail gravel pathway. Distances will vary but will be between 10-20 miles! Camp Saturday night and return to the church on Sunday. Bikes are NOT available to rent, but I think we can accommodate anyone who does not have a bike, but please let us know now. If you are bringing your own bike please get it checked out before you come. Bikes suitable include mountain bikes and geared hybrid bikes. Look at the air in the tires, brakes, and loose parts. No single speed bikes; they just don’t work for this distance. YOU MUST WEAR A HELMET! Gloves are highly recommended. A daypack to wear while you bike down the mountain for you to keep your trail lunch & water is also a very good idea.
Car Camping Packing List HERE
We will be cooking by patrols, which we will establish in the meetings before we leave. Patrols will buy their own food.
If you need your bike checked out, we have multiple expert bike mechanics who are happy to check your equipment. A mechanic will be at our meeting on February 19th and at our departure on April 24th. There will be one additional date TBD.
Beyond that, just normal car-camping gear, weather will be cool/cold at night, bring warm sleeping bags (or two bags).
Bring your own tent or use one of the Troop tents (NO HAMMOCKS FOR SLEEPING).
Meals: We will cook by patrol for Saturday breakfast, Saturday dinner, and Sunday breakfast. Saturday lunch will be a “trail” lunch provided by the troop that we will eat while biking. WE WILL NOT STOP AT WENDY'S ON SUNDAY! We will only be about 1hr from home. On Sunday, we will pack up, eat breakfast by patrol, and leave. We will be home before lunch.
Gift Shop: There is a gift shop. Bring some cash if you would like to buy a souvenir.
Smokemont GSM Backpacking Trip (click here)
Smokemont Backpacking Trip May 15-17, 2026
RSVP HERE DEADLINE to sign up May 7th
It may be cold. Bring a base layer, cold weather gear, & ALWAYS BRING RAIN GEAR. The temperature may be low, so if you are bringing a forty degree bag you may also want a liner to give extra warmth.
Cost: $45/person - We will NOT stop at Wendy’s for lunch on Sunday. We WILL stop at Loves Gas. Bring cash for snacks.
Who: Scouts and Leaders registered. DEADLINE to sign up May 7th.
When: May 15, 2026 (Friday) wheels up by 5:30 (ARRIVE by 5:00 so we can load cars & take a headcount) Arrive on Sunday, May 17, 2026 around 5:00. A text will be sent when we stop at Loves Gas with a solid return time. This is a 3.5 hr drive.
Where: Smokemont Campground in Cherokee, NC 28719 (Over 3hr drive from the Hut)
Short Trek - leave from Smokemont Campground & hike 2 miles to backcountry campsite #50 where they will set camp on Sat night. Side hike up to Chasteen Creek Falls. (Total mileage about 5 miles) Short Trek Map HERE
Long Trek - group will be driven to the drop off location on Sat. morning. Group will hike to Sat. night backcountry campsite #52. Sunday the group will hike back to Smokemont Campground. (Total mileage about 12.5 miles) Long Trek Map HERE.
Upon return to the Smokemont Campground on Sunday, the troop will enjoy a troop provided lunch. (Thanks, Mr. Maddux!) We will stop for gas/snacks at Loves, so bring some money if you want to buy goodies. Return home estimated around 5PM. Text will be sent when we have a solid return time.
What: All scouts have a mandatory shakedown: April 30th or May 7th. We must ensure that you have the gear you need and nothing extra. Bring your fully loaded backpack to the meeting on either April 30th or May 7th. A leader will inspect your pack. This is when we find out what items you need to borrow. DO NOT BUY GEAR UNTIL WE HAVE COMPLETED THE GEAR SHAKEDOWN.
Make sure you use the Backpacking List.
Food: you are in charge of bringing your own meals on all backpacking trips.
You will need the following:
Friday dinner (eat before we leave or in the car)
Saturday breakfast: freeze-dried meals are great! Walmart, Great Outdoor Provision, and Academy have freeze dried food. (If you have a stove, great! If you don’t, we’ll share.)
Saturday lunch: we will eat while hiking on the trail.
Ideas: jerky, chicken/tuna pouches, nuts, crackers, individual peanut butter
Saturday dinner: freeze-dried meals are great!
Sunday breakfast: protein bar, breakfast bar (something fast) We will get up and go Sunday morning so think “trail breakfast”.
Sunday lunch: Upon return to the Smokemont Campground on Sunday, the troop will enjoy a troop provided lunch. (Thanks, Mr. Maddux!) We will stop for gas/snacks at Loves, so bring some money if you want to buy goodies.
Scouts are encouraged to coordinate with each other to share tents/stoves/water filters in order to minimize the weight carried (and to prevent some parents from having to buy gear that their Scouts may not have yet). We will devote some time during the meeting to figure out trip gear. Additionally, if your Scout is bringing their own tent, they need to bring it either April 30 or May 7th so that they can get some practice setting it up prior to the trip. No hammocks for sleeping. If you do not have all the gear needed, talk to us. We have some items available to borrow.
We will be backpacking in primitive, gorgeous areas in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park!
Check out these pictures #LongTrek
Check out these pictures #ShortTrek
REVIEW:
1. Trekking poles are a lifesaver. We recommend each scout take at least one pole.
2. Rain gear is a must! You just never know when a shower will pop up.
3. The weather in the Smokies is often colder and windier than the weather apps indicate. Keep this in mind when choosing your clothing. Dressing in layers is key.
4. Water! Water! Water! Water is heavy but it’s necessary. There are water sources so scouts can refill their bottles or camelbacks. By water source, we mean a stream running down the mountain. If you have a water filter, bring it, if not, we can share filters. Every scout/leader must carry 2L of water. Fill your water bottles (2L) before we leave the hut!
5. Hiking shoes! We will be hiking over rocks and boulders. Scouts need good fitting hiking shoes with solid soles.
6. P-Style... Ladies, if you’d rather stand than squat and not have to bare it all, then this item is for you! ;). Check it out on Amazon. Make sure you attach a small container of hand sanitizer to your P-Style. Questions - see Ms. Erica
7. Scouts are responsible for all of their food on backpacking trips. Freeze-dried food is the way to go. It is light and easy to pack. You can buy it in store at Walmart or order it from Amazon. If you don’t have a camping stove, don’t worry. We can share.
8. Stuff sacks: Water proof stuff sacks allow for items to be compact & keeps items dry. Both are very important qualities, Amazon. Great Outdoor Provision in Winston-Salem also has a selection of stuff sacks. If you don’t use stuff sacks, you need to line your backpack with a garbage bag.
9. Let’s talk about female challenges. PERIODS. Dog bags like you use to clean up dog poop work great for carrying out ALL feminine hygiene trash. These items should not be buried with bodily waste products (though, yes, DO bury any and all bodily waste products, nobody wants to smell that or see that). Also, you can share a small shovel/spade with your buddy, since you have to watch out for each other anyways… Also, toilet paper, very important. If you have questions around the challenges of being a female on trail, please talk to Ms. Erica. She’s done it all!
Scout meeting backpack gear shakedowns: April 30th & May 7th
Final thoughts: Weather in this area in May averages in the mid sixties during the day and upper thirties at night. That means you need LAYERs so you are warm enough at night, and comfortable during the day. Bring a sleeping bag rated for 20 degrees or less, alternatively bring a liner to add 10 degrees. Bring a beanie. Bring a warm jacket that squishes up small. Bring gloves. Bring enough WOOL socks to keep your feet dry! Multiple pairs Also, bring rain gear, because the weather is unpredictable. No cotton clothing allowed! You should wear items that wick moisture away from your skin and that dries quickly. Wool is your friend!
Camp Raven Knob Summer Camp (click here)
Summer Camp Information (Swim check info below - scroll down)
Swim Test: Any scouts who have not taken the BSA swim classification test prior to arrival at camp will have the opportunity to take the test on arrival day. Scouts/leaders who intend on getting in the water at any point must complete a yearly swim test. Scouts needing to take the test upon arrival should bring their bathing suit (1-piece only, 2-piece not allowed) and towel on the camp tour. The test will be administered immediately after our group photo at the OA arena. Specific information coming. Check back soon! (see below)
Schedules and Prerequisites: Attached you will find the Troop 964 Summer Camp Schedules for our Scouts. To see your Scout’s final schedule, please see the attached PDF for your session information. Prerequisites can be found HERE
Raven Parents: All the Raven Scouts have the same summer camp schedule developed by our Adult Leaders. This is a fun schedule that will move them along in rank and merit badges, as well as prepare them to participate in more trips with the troop next Fall.
Packing Lists: Summer Camp Packing List - available on the Troop website HERE
· We will pack the trailer with troop gear and each scout's personal gear on Sunday before leaving for camp.
· Trunks and Locks: Below are links to trunks and locks. Please feel free to source these items anywhere, these are simply suggestions. DO bring a lock for your trunk/footlocker and keep it locked when you are not in your cabin. This keeps out the 2 and 4-legged pests.
· Trunk: Purchase HERE
· Lock: Purchase HERE
Electronics: Personal electronics, especially cell phones, need to be left at home. We have had multiple incidents with inappropriate things being shown or heard on the phones. If your Scout needs their phone for medical reasons that is fine, but please limit its use to that purpose. There really is no need for the phones while enjoying the best week of the summer at camp.
Camp Raven Knob Address: 2666 Raven Knob Rd, Mt. Airy, NC 27030
Scouts will be staying in the Seton Campsite.
Camp Raven Knob’s phone number is 336-352-4307. Phones are monitored from 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. daily.
Map HERE
Mail: Scouts are eligible to receive mail. USPS makes daily mail deliveries to camp. Address letters to scouts in this format:
Scout Name
Troop 964G
Camp Raven Knob
2666 Raven Knob Rd.
Mt. Airy, NC 27030
Cabin Assignments (Don't forget to decide on a theme & decorate your cabin!)
Cabin 1 Cabin 2 Cabin 3 Cabin 4 Cabin 5
Please watch our Troop website and emails for additional information and updates.
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Forms for Camp:
Medical Forms - Parts A and B are completed annually by participants in all Scouting events. Part C is required for participants in any event that exceeds 72 consecutive hours & must be completed by a physician.
Outdoor Release - This form must be filled out & turned in each year your scout attends camp.
When: July 12 - 18, 2026 (Session 5)
Cost:
Scouts $450 - $480 (Depending on which classes the scout picks, the cost will increase from the base price of $450.)
Full Week Leaders $225
Half Week Leaders $120
(Deposit $150 due by March 5)
Some classes have an age requirement (see the registration grid below)
Some classes cost extra (see the registration grid below)
Where: 266 Raven Knob Rd, Mt Airy, NC 27030
Campsite: Seton (CRK Campsite Map)
Classes: You must turn in your class request by March 5, 2026
Program guide - Overview of the classes offered, cost & age recommendation.
CRK MB Class Picks HERE - This is the list each scout will use to pick her classes. This gets turned in. Some classes cost extra & have a minimum age requirement. This allows you to see the classes clearer than the Class Picks. Please turn in the CRK MB Class Picks not the registration grid.
Some merit badges cannot be completed during one week of summer camp. The Prerequisites List provides which requirements you need to complete prior to camp. Make sure you take your work to camp so the Scoutmaster can determine if credit was earned. The Session List also gives information about each class & what, if any, special clothing will be required.
Parent Guide - This is lots of useful information about CRK.
Final payment will be due May 22, 2026 (FRIDAY). Please wait until you receive an invoice before you pay the final amount due. More information to come.
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CKR Swim Checks 2026
SWIM CHECKS: Date - May 28th: 6:45 TENTATIVE Swim Check Date - Details to come.
All scouts who will be attending summer camp must complete a swim check. If they are not able to attend the troop swim check, they will have to complete it at camp on July 12th during check-in.
Once you complete your swim check, you are free to leave. You will not be there for 2hrs.
Bring: towel, one piece swimsuit & goggles (optional)
Please contact Carleigh Scott if you have questions. scott.c0118@gmail.com
Swim check DETAILS: The swim check consists of a continuous 100-yard swim. Scouts start by jumping from standing into water over the head in depth, and swim 75 yards on the surface of the water continuously in a strong manner using one or a combination of the following strokes: front crawl, breaststroke, side stroke, or trudgen. The remaining 25 yards are swam on the back in a restful manner. The swim check is finished with a float on the back or on the stomach.