Report of the Joint Program and Camping Study Group

Some desirable benefits to our scouts and families by council consolidation:

• Expanded options for Cub family camping, Day camps in Hampden and Hampshire counties, and additional Resident programs at CSR and HMSR.
• Improved opportunities for Venturing program and support: Powder Horn Training, Venturer president associations, summer high adventure camps at CSR and HMSR
• Larger pools for Jamboree troops and a potential for 3 troops to attend.
• More participants in Wood Badge and NYLT training.
• Inclusion in Mass-Jam for GTC scouts
• More yearly opportunities for units to attend High Adventure National programs at Philmont, Sea Base or Northern Tier as part of council contingents.

Neutral effect on most district programming

• Klondike Derbies and Camporees all done on district basis
• Occasional council-wide events are desirable (camporee or Scout Show)
• Council level recognition such as the Eagle Scout dinners and Council dinners may need to be done as Districts due to size.
• Leader training at the basic levels would be the same, perhaps improved with communication about different approaches.
• OA Lodge would need to work on more active chapter levels, and continue to support two camps.

Additional Considerations

• Distance and geography will remain a challenge and members from all over both areas will need to be recruited for council and district committees to maintain balance and representation of needs.
• Scout Camps tend to be considered the Crown Jewel of each area and support for programming needs to be carefully approached so there is cooperation and not competition. Eventual specialization could be a benefit to our scouts by providing more options.
• Advancements could be improved by electronic methods and satellite offices to provide awards in a timely manner. Eagle Boards are currently held differently-that could continue or change with time.

No show stopping negatives were identified to consolidation.