Merit Badges

Merit badge classes expose scouts to new subjects, teach a variety of skills and are an important part of the Scouting programming at Camp Hinds. Our mornings are filled with merit badge sessions, enabling all scouts to earn two or three badges during their time at camp. For the motivated Scout, additional opportunities are provided, usually in the evening, to start and possibly complete additional badges.

We Have Several New Merit Badges for 2013:
Kayaking, Model Design and Building, Oceanography, Search and Rescue, Fire Safety, Space Exploration, Photography and Music.

Pre-register!
Beginning May 15th, you can complete on-line registration for merit badges for your troop at www.pinetreebsa.org/scss. Classes are filled on a first- come basis. On-line registrations will be given first priority. If on-line service is not available to you, you can go to the Pine Tree Council Center and ask for help to enter your badges for your troop. Your last option is to mail your advancement forms. All mailed registration forms will not be entered until staff arrives at camp in late June! Any late registrations and merit badge changes will be done on Sunday afternoon at camp as well as Monday morning before and after breakfast.

Specialty Programs

For the Older Scouts, we have made several additions to our selection of badges and afternoon programming, including the Scholastic Pistol program. Older boys can also register for our speciality weeks including: OA Week, Search and Rescue, Mountain Man and the Trail to Eagle program. We are excited to announce we are one of 11 councils to offer the Scholastic Pistol pilot program in 2013! For the H2O buff the SCUBA or BSA Lifeguard program will keep them on or
below the waves all week. For those who want to experience camp like few others, look to a session of the CIT program which will give them a preview into the life as a Hinds staff member!

Troop Rotations

Following an hour siesta, the afternoon program opens up to allow Scouts to experience summer fun as a troop. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, Hinds offers activities in every area so that Scouts who don't get to visit shooting (for example) in the morning can have a chance to join their friends at the rifle range. Troop rotations are 45 minute sessions. Each troop can register for 2 stations per day followed by one session of open areas. You can take a hike up Rattlesnake Mountain, journey down the Tenny River, explore the swamps, challenge yourselves on our disc golf course, visit one of our waterfronts, challenge a troop to a sports challenge or any other of the 30 opportunities we offer!

Visit our Camp Files Page For Specific Program Info., Downloads & Forms!

Register For Your Summer Adventure!

Reservation Policy
To reserve a troop campsite, the reservation fee is $10.00 per Scout (an additional $25.00 per Scout is due by April 1, 2012). Reservations can be made through Pine Tree Council District Executive & Camp Hinds Adviser Andrew Rueger, at (207) 797-5252. Camp space is limited so reserve early! Once we receive your registration, you will receive information on how to register your Scouts for MBs, afternoon rotations and evening MBs through our Scout Camp Scheduling System (SCSS).

If You Are Coming With A Troop...

Check with your Scoutmaster to see what week you are coming to camp! If you can't come that week, or you want to come an additional week, see the provisional scout information below! Your scoutmaster has all of the information for camp and will help you/your Scout with decisions about merit badges, activities, and everything else there is to do at Camp. The Scoutmaster will also be able to give you details regarding payments (typically made to your troop), medical forms, travel information and will also be able to answer any questions you have about the summer camp experience!

If You Are Coming As A Provisional Scout...

• Fill out the Provisional Scout Reservation Form
• Send in the Reservation Form along with a $10.00 Deposit to:
• Pine Tree Council, 131 Johnson Road, Portland, ME 04102
• If you pay in full before May 1 you are eligible for the Early Bird Discount ($20)!
• Once we receive your paperwork, we will send you all of the program information - including how to register for MBs online at http://www.pinetreebsa.org/scss
• Be sure to come to camp with your medical form!

2013 Fees

Youth Fees
The 2013 Summer Camp Fee for Camp Hinds is $315.00 per week for PTC Scouts. The cost for Out of Council Scouts is $345.00. If you are going to be attending Camp Hinds as a provisional camper add $25.00 to the above fee. Additional fees will be required for the following programs/MBs: $15 for the Older Boy Sports Experience, $25 for the Scholastic Pistol Program, $50 for Mountain Man Experience.

Second Week & Sibling Discounts!
If you are coming for a 2nd week of camp, your first week is full price and your second week is only $225 (whether it's with your troop or provisional). Have a second son coming to camp?
The second sibling comes for $225! Sorry, no additional early bird discount on these rates.

Adult Leader Fees
Two adults are free with the first eight boys! One additional adult goes free for each additional eight boys! Extra adult leaders are charged $90.00 per week. The Adult fee will be prorated according to the # of Scouts attending camp @ $15.00 a day.

2013 Dates

We Run 6 Weeks of Boy Scout & Specialty Weeks

• Week 1: June 30-July 5
  Traditional Summer Camp for Troops & Provisional Scouts
  
  Mountain Man Experience
  Trail to Eagle Advancement Week
  Order of the Arrow Specialty Week
• Week 2: July 7-12
  Traditional Summer Camp for Troops & Provisional Scouts
  
  Mountain Man Experience
  SCUBA w/NAUI Certification
  CIT Session 1: For 3 Weeks (Weeks 2-4)
• Week 3: July 14-19
  Traditional Summer Camp for Troops & Provisional Scouts
  
  Mountain Man Experience
  SCUBA w/NAUI Certification
  CIT Session 1: For 3 Weeks (Weeks 2-4)
• Week 4: July 21-26
  Traditional Summer Camp for Troops & Provisional Scouts
  
  Mountain Man Experience
  SCUBA w/NAUI Certification
  CIT Session 1: For 3 Weeks (Weeks 2-4)
• Week 5: July 28-August 2
  Traditional Summer Camp for Troops & Provisional Scouts
  
  Mountain Man Experience
  BSA Lifeguard
  CIT Session 2: For 3 Weeks (Weeks 5,6 and Webelos)
• Week 6: August 4-9
  Traditional Summer Camp for Troops & Provisional Scouts
  
  Mountain Man Experience
  Trail to Eagle Advancement Week
  Search and Rescue Week Including CERT (Community Emergency Response Team Training)
  CIT Session 2: For 3 Weeks (Weeks 5,6 and Webelos)

• 

  Visit the links on the left FMI or visit our Camp Files For All Of Our Camp Forms!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Medical Form Do We Need?
All Campers and Leaders attending camp must have a completed BSA medical form on file with the camp health office while at camp. ALL PARTICIPANTS are REQUIRED TO HAVE PARTS A, B & C! Scouts and Leaders must have a valid physical within 12 months of camp. Click here to download the 2013 Medical Form.

How Are Medications Handled/When Is The Health Lodge Open?
Dr. Donald Burgess, a Pediatrician at SMMC PrimeCare Pediatrics, oversees the camp medical staff. A licensed health officer is in camp, on duty at all times, to handle all medical emergencies. Upon arrival at camp, your son will have a medical recheck during which he will give the Health Officer any prescription medications. These MUST be kept at the Health Lodge for the entire week to be administered by the camp Health Officer. An exception may be made for a limited amount of medications to be carried by the Scouts or adult for life-threatening conditions including; bee-sting kits, nitroglycerin, inhalers and medication specifically prescribed “to be carried at all times” by a physician.

What If My Son Needs To Leave Camp?
Parents/guardians picking up Scouts during the week should do so by checking in at the Administration Building. All Scouts leaving must be signed out by one of their Unit Leaders. A Scout will not be dismissed from camp until one of his Unit Leader's sign him out in the Administration Building. This process lets the Unit and the Camp know WHO picked up the Scout and when the Scout left camp. Our Unit Leaders know the individual situations of each of the Scouts in their care and we depend on them to assist us in this very important area.

Can I Contact My Son?
Scouts enjoy receiving mail from home during their stay at camp. Please write, but don’t call unless it’s an emergency. Remember there is no phone next to your son’s tent! The camp phone is for camp business and emergencies. The camp phone number is 207-655-4878 you can call the Camp Director directly in the evening at 207-651-5266.

The camp mailing address is:
Camp William Hinds
Your Scout's Name & Pack #
146 Plains Road
Raymond, ME 04071

What Will My Scout Be Eating?
Everyone at camp is served three wholesome, well-balanced family/cafeteria-style meals in the Dining Hall each day, all approved by qualified dietitians. If your Scout has special dietary needs, please advise the Camp Director prior to arrival so the kitchen staff has proper time to prepare.

When Are The Pre-Camp Meetings?
We will be holding camp promotions at roundtables in February and March and we encourage you to attend those to get the latest information, ask questions & enter for a chance to win camperships for your Scouts. The dates are: February 13th: Abnaki Roundtable, March 6th: Casco Bay Roundtable, March 7th: York Roundtable and March 13th: KValley Roundtable.

We will also be having a Camp Beaver Workday & Kick-Off Celebration on May 4th. The workday will begin at 9am and the kick-off will start at 2pm. Look for more information as we get closer to the event here at camphinds.org or on our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/camphinds.

What Is The PTC Refund Policy?
Individuals or groups that cancel a program reservation 30 days prior to the date of the event will receive a refund of fees paid less a 15% administrative charge. No refunds will be made, unless due to emergency, after the 30-day cancellation period.

How Do We Reserve A Spot At Camp?
To reserve a troop campsite, the reservation fee is $10.00 per Scout (an additional $25.00 per Scout is due by April 1, 2012). Reservations can be made through Pine Tree Council District Executive & Camp Hinds Adviser Andrew Rueger, at (207) 797-5252. Camp space is limited so reserve early! Once we receive your registration, you will receive information on how to register your Scouts for MBs, afternoon rotations and evening MBs through our Scout Camp Scheduling System (SCSS).

How Do We Register For Specialty Programs?
Most specialty programs can be registered for through your troop (in SCSS). If you are coming provisional, you will want to register using the provisional registration form (and then we'll send you more information)! If you are looking to register for the OA Specialty Week - you will want to contact the Madockawanda Lodge Leadership.

How Many Leaders Can We Bring To Camp Free?
Two adult leaders go free with the first eight youth. One additional adult goes free for each additional eight youth. Extra adult leaders are charged $90.00 each.

Do You Offer Discounts Or Camperships?
We have an early bird discount of $20 if your payment is made in FULL prior to May 1, 2013.

If you are coming for a 2nd week of camp, your first week is full price and your second week is only $225 (whether it's with your troop or provisional). Have a second son coming to camp? The second sibling comes for $225! For campership information, please download this form.