2009 BarkEater Program

Fourth level BarkEater's returning to Massawepie in 2009 will be eligible to earn the new fifth level BarkEater recognition.

BarkEater Totem
BarkEaters who have earned the first, second or third level BarkEater recognitions will be eligible to earn the next appropriate level. Scouts and Scouters new to Massawepie in 2009 will be able to work on the first year BarkEater recognition

Pioneer BarkEater First Year Requirements:
Camp Attendance: Camp at Massawepie at least five nights during the current summer camp year.
Massawepie Experience: Complete a day hike around Massawepie Lake (or, if unable, then visit Mountaineer).
Massawepie/Adirondack Lore: Describe the origin of “BarkEater” and of “Pontiac Point.”
Service: Take part in a unit service project while at camp.
Advancement: Must have earned the Scout Badge.
Scout Spirit: Live by the Scout Oath and Law at camp.

Mountaineer BarkEater Second Year Requirements:
Camp Attendance: Camp at Massawepie at least five nights during the current summer camp year.
Massawepie Experience: Identify the common loon and its signs, and tell why it has been threatened. Identify the 4 distinct calls of the common loon.
Massawepie/Adirondack Lore: Describe the location and years of operation of the Childwold Park Hotel. Take a walking tour of the historical locations at Pioneer with the map/guidebook. Find the stairs to the Boat house.
Service: Take part in a unit service project while at camp.
Advancement: Must have earned the rank of Second Class.
Scout Spirit: Live by the Scout Oath and Law at camp.

Forester BarkEater Third Year Requirements:
Camp Attendance: Camp at Massawepie at least five nights during the current summer camp year.
Massawepie Experience: Participate in the Massawepie Lumberjack Challenge.
Massawepie/Adirondack Lore: Describe who the local Boy Scout council bought Massawepie from (including the nature of their business) and the date of purchase. Tell how logs in the Adirondacks were moved from woods to mills before the use of trucks.
Service: Take part in a unit service project while at camp.
Advancement: Must have earned the rank of First Class.
Scout Spirit: Live by the Scout Oath and Law at camp.

Voyageur BarkEater Fourth Year Requirements:
Camp Attendance: Camp at Massawepie at least five nights during the current summer camp year.
Massawepie Experience: Participate in the fourth year leadership experience.
Massawepie/Adirondack Lore: Tell the stories of two of the famous Adirondack guides of the 19th century. Explain the difference between "Adirondack Park" and "Adirondack Forest Preserve." Tell how Forest Preserve land is protected.
Service: Show leadership in a unit service project at camp. Help your unit leader keep track of your unit’s BarkEater candidates and requirements.
Advancement: Must have earned the rank of Star.
Scout Spirit: Set a Scout Spirit example for others.

Ha-de-ron-dah (BarkEater) Fifth Year Requirements:
Camp Attendance: Camp at Massawepie at least five nights during the current summer camp year.
Massawepie Experience: Visit at least five ponds and the bog on the reservation. Visit a beaver house or dam. Discuss the impact beavers have on the environment.
Massawepie/Adirondack Lore: Explain why the Adirondack Forest Preserve became protected. Tell Verplank Colvin's role in securing Forest Preserve protection, and how Teddy Roosevelt used this example when he became president to protect more areas. Explain the meaning of wilderness, and how Adirondack wilderness differs from Adirondack Forest Preserve. Tell the role of Bob Marshall in preserving wilderness across America.
Service: Serve in the special 5th year service project to be assigned by the Camp Director.
Advancement: Earn the rank of Life.
Scout Spirit: Set a Scout Spirit example for others.

Alternate requirements for fifth year candidates:
Complete a Massawepie/Adirondack Trek (5 nights) or Mountain Fox in lieu of the Massawepie Experience requirements, providing all other requirements are met.

All five years of the BarkEater program have requirements in the same categories, but with different themes and different recognitions. Ceremonies for years one and two are held at the Campfire Circle. Ceremonies for years three through five are held in special BarkEater ceremony sites.

Alternative option for adult Scouters: Work 20 hours on Massawepie facility projects approved by the ranger, including at least two work weekends, such as Skills Weekend and Beaver Weekend.

Alternative Adult requirements for all five years are published at camp.

BarkEater Guidelines

1) Scouts and Scouters must camp at Massawepie at least 5 nights in a given year to be eligible to earn a new BarkEater level. (There is an alternative requirement available for Scouters participating in camp work weekends.)

2) Returning Bark Eaters are eligible for the next level in succession depending upon whether they have earned the preceding BarkEater in previous years. All others can work on Pioneer (first level).

3) Scouters may participate in the program. For Scouters the “Massawepie Experience” and “Advancement”, requirements are waived. They will participate in the other program components including the Service Project requirement and the Ceremony.

4) Unit camp leaders decide which Scouts have met the requirements. Unit leaders are requested to uphold the BarkEater Honor Program by ensuring that all requirements are met as written no additions, deletions or modifications. The honor cannot be awarded for effort alone. Remember, disappointment is often a better teacher than success easily earned. The camp reserves the right to disqualify a Scout based on poor Scout Spirit at the discretion of the Camp Director.

5) The Massawepie Experience requirement can be completed in a previous summer. In other words, if a camper has completed a hike around Massawepie Lake in a previous summer, that would satisfy the requirement; it does not have to be done again.

6) Information is provided in a leader brochure to assist unit leaders with the Massawepie Lore and Environmental Awareness requirements.

7) The Camp Director is empowered to adjust the honor program requirements for Scouts/Scouters unable to complete them for sound medical reasons, physical or mental. As support for such request, the person’s medical limitations must be noted on his or her Personal Health and Medical Record. Substitutions must be made in writing by dinner on Monday, and then become the true objectives of the Scout/Scouter in question.

After earning the BarkEater recognition, BarkEaters should proudly wear their BarkEater tokens as a part of their Field uniforms whenever and wherever they are worn.

Participation in the camp honor program is optional for each Scout and unit. No coercion or peer pressure should be used to get a Scout to participate.
If you have any questions about the BarkEater program, please ask the BarkEater Coordinator or your commissioner or the Program Director. Prior to arriving at camp, questions can be directed to barkeater@otetiana.org.