Millpond Canoe Trip (click here)
RSVP HERE
Who:
Troop 964 Scouts and Registered Adult Leaders
What:
One night of Car Camping and one night of Canoe Camping at Merchants Millpond State Park near Murfreesboro, NC.
Merchants Millpond a blackwater swamp that is lost in time. Spanish moss and cypress trees and flatwater filled with duckweed and alligators.
This is very much a beginner’s canoe trip. A short distance on protected flatwater between the trees.
When:
Friday, March 27th - Sunday, 29th
Arrive at New Philadelphia Friday between 5:00/5:15pm for a 5:30pm departure
Planned return is mid-afternoon on Sunday after a lunch stop at Wendy’s.
It is a solid 4 hour drive to the state park – please be early on Friday. We will be back as early as possibly Sunday.
Cost: $65
Scouts & Leaders $65/person (does not include Friday’s bag dinner or Sunday lunch)
Remember that Dr. Mac funds may be available – you just have to ask!
Meals:
Bring a bag dinner for Friday night and money for fast food at Wendy’s on Sunday. All other meals will be by patrol.
Scouts will organize their meal plans during the Troop meetings on the 19th and will shop for groceries prior to arrival on the 27th
A cooler with ice will be provided for each patrol to use.
Adults will be a separate patrol. Menu TBD.
Packing Notes:
Treat this as a car camping trip that has a lot of rain in the forecast.
- Backpacking backpacks are not needed. Pack all your clothes and gear in a medium- to large duffle bag.
- Your clothes go in a heavy-duty plastic garbage bag, your sleeping bag in a second and your tent in a third.
All of that goes in your duffel.
- Bring a raincoat and an extra change of clothes including shoes (in case you fall in), two towels, a small folding chair
to sit by the fire (the ones that collapse into a tube shape are easier in the canoe) and a puffy coat for the mornings.
- PFDs (life jackets) are required for everyone. If you do not own one, we will provide.
- Mess kit including cup / bowl / spoon. We do not supply paper!
- Have your headlamp and your raincoat with you on the bus. Also, money for lunch on Sunday.
- Check the list on the Troop website here
New River Trail Bike Trip (click here)
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
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 around 2:00pm.
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.
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. Scouts will need money $$ for lunch on Sunday at the proverbial Wendy’s stopover.
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: Packing lists are 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 - TBD
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.