A Week at Camp Buck Toms

    

A week at Camp Buck Toms is hardly all classes and work. We strive to provide plenty of after-class activities and evening festivities so that nobody has to spend time doing nothing unless they want to. Every afternoon and evening we have at least one or two activities if not more going on at the same time so that campers have a choice of how to spend their time off while staying with us.

Sunday: On Sunday evening we offer a Vespers service in our outdoor chapel to help our scouts connect with their faith while out in nature. Shortly after, we have our opening campfire to welcome everyone to camp and talk about the week to come!

Monday: Right after lunch, Pellissippi Lodge puts on the OA Ice Cream Bash for all OA members. Monday is also our day to prepare campers to spend time on the water while at our camp. For adults, we offer Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat Training while for youth we will have an instructional course on proper fishing skills. We also have our Scoutmaster Rifle Shoot and our Archery Watermelon Shoot for scouts (and their leaders!) to show off their marksman capabilities.

Tuesday: On Tuesday evening, we have Troop Swimming and Boating, where those who participated in Safe Swim Defense will run the waterfront for their troops, under the direction of our waterfront staff. Then once it gets dark, Pellissippi Lodge offers the opportunity for qualified members to take the next step into their commitment to the Order of the Arrow with the Brotherhood Ceremony.

Wednesday: This is a big night for us. First, after lunch the Order of the Arrow puts on the “Quest for the Golden Arrow,” a patrol competition in various events that anybody is welcome to attend. That evening, we host our Scoutmaster Appreciation Dinner for all of the Scoutmasters where we discuss the week at camp and upcoming council events, hosted by our Council Scout Executive. Later, we have a second, more informal Vespers service where we talk about how the activities of the week relates to the twelfth point of the Scout Law. Then down at our handicraft shelter, we offer the opportunity for anyone to come down and make their very own leather belt which they can customize any way they choose. Finally, we have our Canoe Overnighter for anybody that wants to canoe over to our outpost camp and spend the night. Also, our Wilderness Survival classes will hike out to the outpost camp where they will construct their own shelter from sticks and leaves and spend the night under the stars.

Thursday: Right after classes, everyone heads down to the Waterfront for the exciting Water Carnival! Troops will make teams to compete in various events from a Canoe Relay to a Biggest Splash competition and will let scouts of all swimming skill levels participate. This is also the night where the Order of the Arrow goes all out for our campers. Down at our handicraft shelter they set up a fantastic sound and light show for the OA Karaoke Dance Party open to all campers. Then later in the evening Pellissippi Lodge has it’s weekly Cracker Barrel for OA Members. But don’t let the name fool you, they put out a huge spread of food. Briefly, lodge officers will discuss upcoming OA events, but mainly this is an opportunity for all OA members, even those not in Pellissippi Lodge, to share fellowship together.

Friday: Camp is winding down by Friday. During the afternoon, all areas will stay open late to help campers finish up any requirements that they weren’t able to complete during class time. Then in the evening we have a huge closing campfire where we give out special awards scouts and troops may have earned during the week and troops perform skits and songs for entertainment.